Fraction Activities Fun

One of my favorite units in my math curriculum to teach is fractions.

It's easy to apply the concepts to the real world and show students it is a important life long skill.

Students come into 3rd grade with a basic understanding of what a fraction is: part of a whole.

From there I can jump right into teaching fraction equivalency.

With spring in the air, I have the perfect project to drive home fraction equivalency in a concrete, visual way. Equivalent Fraction Kites , as seen below, model fractions that equal the same: 4/16 is equivalent to 1/4 and 8/16 is equivalent to 1/2. Students have so much fun designing them and in the process own the meaning of equivalency. This project is available in my TPT store.

I also have some other valuable resources to share with you that I incorporate into my fraction unit study.

This video helps build background needed on equivalent fractions.

Another handy tool is this manipulative fraction bar number line model from the site Math is Fun
It visually shows fractions with the same value.

I have a set of fraction task cards that my class uses with the fraction bar interactive model.

You can get them in my TPT store

In addition, I have my class do a creative fraction writing project titled, Fractions of Me,  to show the parts of themselves that make up the whole of them.

 

I do have a Fraction Bundle with all three products together, at a discount, if that interests you.

The Illuminations site has an interactive tool that allows students to create equivalent fractions by dividing and shading either squares or circles and to see the position on a number line.

Happy teaching ~Denise

 

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Ladybug Math Fun

I'm enjoying a beautiful spring Saturday.

Last week I was in the midst of state testing, but I was able to add a sprinkle of learning fun into my afternoons.

We did ladybug math!

I hit two concepts: fractions and symmetry

Students received a certain number of ladybugs spots (I did purposely give odd numbers)

The spots were then placed on the wings symmetrically, if possible.

Then the students wrote a fraction sentence and added the spots together.

The ladybugs were placed on a bulletin board with this learning target poster.

Click to download

If you'd like the math pieces of this lesson you can click {HERE}

Credit for the ladybug pattern I used for my math lesson goes to Janet Rainey.

Find more great ideas on my Pinterest page or TPT store

Equivalent Fraction Kites

Yikes, equivalent fractions can be a tricky concept to introduce to 3rd graders.

So, I did math art! This is my BEST selling resource in my TPT store! With the templates I provide student then decorate a design to model fraction equivalency.

It certainly helped my students solidify their understanding of equivalent fractions in a high flying fun way. Give it a try.

  Grab it here: Equivalent Fraction Kites

I recently started a Facebook Group for teachers to share ideas, questions, and inspiration. 

Come Join the group!

Equivalent Fractions

Equivalent fractions can be tricky. So my class made this flip book visual to use as a reference.

For the flip book I just had the students use 5 sheets of ditto paper approximately 1 inch apart. Then they fold down the top and staple it.  Here's a handy link showing how to make the foldable. Once the foldable is made I use this fraction bar printable that students glue on each step of the flip book. Then they cut the fractional lines on each step to make it manipulative. You might also be interested in my Equivalent Fraction Kite Project. It's a great way to reinforce fraction equivalency while doing art and patterning.

Click picture to view project