Idea Galaxy

Adventures in Junior High and Mathematics

Fractions

8 Awesome Activities for Dividing Fractions

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By the time students get to dividing fractions they’ve already had a fair amount of interaction with fractions, and many students have a fear or dislike for fractions. I feel that dividing fractions is a topic that can help give students some confidence with fractions because it’s not too hard. All students have to do is flip the second fractions and then multiply across. I love teaching this topic because even reluctant students can be successful quickly.

So, if you’re looking for new ways to teach and practice dividing fractions, check out these 8 easy-to-use activities!

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10 Greatest Common Factor Activities that Rock

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Fractions and factors can seem intimidating for many students. I’m sure you’ve seen it- the look of fear and panic in students’ eyes when they’re asked to do new things with fractions. Some of this stems from our own relationship with fractions and the way we present, or frame, learning about them. If we show a lack of enthusiasm when we teach about the greatest common factors, students pick up on that.

The teacher who taught me fractions treated them like any other numbers. She didn’t say anything about how tough fractions are, or how some kids really struggle with them. As a result, we just learned them without being afraid of them. Today I want to share with you 10 activities that make finding the greatest common factors of fractions fun for both students and teachers.

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10 Ways to Practice Converting Improper Fractions and Mixed Numbers

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Ever since I can remember, fractions have come really easily to me. Sometimes I struggle to understand why they trip up so many students. Fractions have a certain logic and pattern to them that I find comforting and refreshing in a world filled with so much uncertainty. I feel like it’s my job to make sure that my students don’t get too afraid of fractions. I really just want them to see fractions for what they are…numbers. [Read more…] about 10 Ways to Practice Converting Improper Fractions and Mixed Numbers

10 Awesome Activities for Adding and Subtracting Fractions with Like Denominators

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Fractions seem to get a lot of bad press. So many students get turned off by fractions and think that they aren’t good at fractions. I’m not exactly sure why this happens, but I know that if we give kids more positive experiences with fractions that we can change this. In my classroom we use a lot of games when we’re practicing and I find that students get really engaged when something is presented as a game. This works especially well with topics like adding and subtracting fractions. So, I’m super excited to share with you 10 awesome games and activities to help students become pro at adding and subtracting fractions with like denominators. [Read more…] about 10 Awesome Activities for Adding and Subtracting Fractions with Like Denominators