Have you ever felt like pulling your hair out when trying to teach fractions? I've certainly felt that way many times. It's such a tough concept for students to understand and to grasp. They feel frustrated too.
Using hands-on methods makes exploring and learning fractions fun and engaging for students.
Here are a few of my favorite ways to teach fractions.
1. Fractions Strips
Here's the chance to start with the basics. Start with construction paper. I use a different color for each fraction. These are the fractions I have the students make: Whole, halves, thirds, fourths, sixths, eights, and twelfths. If you use those same fractions you would need 7 colors of construction paper.
Cut the construction paper into 1 inch strips. Cut enough for each student and I also recommend having extras just in case. I pass out one color at a time and give directions to fold the strip, draw lines on the fold, and then label the fractions on the strip.
As students make each strip it's a good chance to share strategies of how they folded as well as to have discussions about what they notice about the fractional parts.
Now that the fraction strips are created, they can be used for comparing fractions, finding equivalent fractions, and even adding unlike fractions by folding back parts of the strip.
Have students keep their fractions strips in a baggie in their desk to pull out throughout your fraction unit.
2. Dominoes
Dominoes are a fun way to experiment with fractions. They are already created fractions. Here are a few ways to use dominoes while teaching fractions.
Fractions Names: Students turn over a domino and write the fraction as well as the fraction name in word form.
Comparing Fractions: Students turn over two dominoes and compare the two fractions.
Ordering Fractions: Students turn over 3-4 dominoes and then order them from least to greatest or greatest to least.
Operations with Fractions: Students turn over two fractions and then add, subtract, multiply, or divide the fractions.
Fractions to Decimal Conversion: Students turn over a domino and then convert it from a fraction to a decimal.
3. Using a Multiplication Chart for Equivalent Fractions
Did you know that students can use a multiplication chart to find equivalent fractions? That's something I only recently learned. It feels like such a game changer. Use it to introduce equivalent fractions. It's also perfect for students to self-check their work when finding equivalent fractions.
Give students a multiplication chart (here's a free one). To make it easier for students to focus, you may want to give them a strip of colored transparency sheet that's the same size as two rows on the multiplication chart.
To find equivalent fractions on a multiplication chart, first find your original fraction. We'll use 1/2 as an example. You would find 1/2 on the 1's and 2's row. The top row is the numerator and the bottom row is the denominator. So the first equivalent fraction you would find would be 2/4, then 3/6 and so on.
You can do this with any two rows on the multiplication chart.
4. Use Candy
M&Ms or Skittles are a fun way to explore with fractions with the added bonus that students get to eat them at the end.
Give students a fun sized bag of candy, along with a plate, and have them pour the candy onto the plate and sort the candy into like colors.
Now that you've done this, they can start making fractions.
The denominator is the number of candies in the package. The nice thing about that is that everything is like denominators which is perfect for starting out with fractions.
There are some different ways students can now work with the fractions. They can give a fraction for each color. They can compare the fractions of two different colors. They can add two colors to add fractions.
Have students show their work on whiteboards or even have them create a poster showing the fractions that they can build.
5. Find Your Match
Now that students have had the chance to explore with true hands-on activities, you may want them to move more towards written fractions, but still want activities that keep them engaged and somewhat hands-on. Find your match is perfect for this.
Find Your Match is simple, fairly low prep, and can be used with any math topic. Here's how it works. Start with a set of index cards. Write a problem on one card and an answer on another card. Make enough cards for each student to get one.
Mix them up, pass them out to the students, then have the students find their match. It's a great way for students to get up and moving. After students have found their match, have them move around the room randomly and then trade cards with someone. Now they find their new match again. Keep repeating this to keep giving students practice. My students really love this fraction decomposition matching game.
Once you've got the matching cards created, you can also use them as a memory game in a math center.
6. Math Mazes
Eventually it's time to move on to paper and pencil work. This can still be fun and engaging for students. My students love math maze worksheets. Being able to color the worksheet makes it still a bit hands-on for students, and they still feel like they are having fun. Students that are not that into coloring can keep it simple and the students that love to color can get creative with it.
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