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.
When students have to convert from improper fractions to mixed numbers or vice versa there is a lot of number sense that goes into it. We need to have students explain what’s happening over and over again. They may memorize the steps, but they need to understand why they follow those steps. Practicing these skills gives us one of the best opportunities for students to see that improper fractions are bigger than one and that the other fractions are between 0 and 1. So, to give students lots of practice and fun with this topic, and lots of opportunities to talk about what’s happening, check out these converting fractions activities!
Here’s the list
Let’s dive in
Students need lots of repetition in order to remember how to do things. I’ve included a variety of activities that can be used as practice or review. Some of them are tailored to students working individually, while others work for the whole class together. Take a look at these fun activities and choose one or two that will add a splash of fun to your classroom. They’re sure to help students not be so afraid of fractions.
Maze
I discovered mazes a couple of year ago when my next door teacher gave me one to try. I have to admit that I was skeptical. It doesn’t make sense that students need to see problems like this, but it really gets them more engaged. Today, I use a maze every day as a way to start my math class. Even my 8th graders get a little cranky when I don’t have a maze for them to do.
This set of converting improper fractions and mixed numbers mazes has three mazes. The first one is improper fractions to mixed numbers, the second one is mixed numbers to improper fractions, and the last one is combo of both. You could use these mazes when you teach the topic for the first time and when you need a review a few months later. I love bringing mazes back a few months later and getting a second use out of them.
If you’re interested in even more fun math games and ideas, you should totally join the Maze of the Month Club. As a member of the Maze of the Month Club, you’ll get a FREE new simplifying fractions maze sent right to your inbox, as well as more easy-to-use tips and ideas sent weekly that will help make math time even more awesome.
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Paper Chain
I’m a strong believer in giving kids hands-on experiences. When they practice with pen and paper sometimes they need to get their energy out. That’s a perfect time to use a paper chain. With this activity, students get to cut out the paper chain and put their answers in order. Then, after I check students’ answers, they make it into a paper chain. You can have students hang up the paper chain around the room or in the hallway. Over time you can add more to it and they can see all of their hard work represented in a really cool way.
With this paper chain they get some practice of converting to and from improper fractions and mixed numbers. The practice is basic and I encourage teachers to have students work in partners when completing this activity.
Knockout Game
When you want to review as a whole class, my favorite review game is a knockout game. These games are interactive and all you need to play is a projector. When the problems are projected on the front board, I have all of the students write all of their work and their answers on a small whiteboard (they could also use scratch paper, etc). This gives me a chance to see how everyone is doing. In this game, a student chooses a dinosaur from the game board and then a problem is revealed. All students answer and then get points based on how they answer. Students get a kick out of the bonuses in this game where they can win or lose additional points.
When I was creating this knockout game I decided to add a few extra challenges. Besides just converting between mixed numbers and improper fractions, students also have to compare and add with improper fractions and mixed numbers. Hopefully, this can give students a challenge and they have a chance to figure it out even if you haven’t taught it, yet.
Plastic Egg Challenge
For this plastic egg activity you write the improper fractions on the top part of a plastic egg and its equivalent mixed number on the bottom part. Students get a variety of eggs and they have to match the top and bottom. It’s a kind of reverse egg hunt. You can also play where there’s a question inside the egg and hide the eggs around the room or school.
I like using the Easter eggs for a couple of reasons. First, my 4 year old son loves them, so we have a lot hanging around the house. Second, they’re a natural matching game and work great with this topic. Third, eggs are super cheap and you can find them at the Dollar Store. Your kids will love this activity.
6 Worksheets
To be honest I don’t use a lot of worksheets in my class as worksheets per se. I do love taking the problems off of them and using them in other classroom activities. For example, you could use one of the worksheets to get your matching pairs for the Easter egg activity.
Also, I use them to play games like the Target Game or Whiteboard Football. You can read more about these activities here. You can take the worksheets and have them work for you. They don’t have to look like a worksheet and then the students get the practice they need. And they stay more engaged while working on their math practice that no longer looks like a worksheet.
Pac-Man
Classic video games make me happy. I absolutely love that someone has taken Pac-Man and made it into a review game for fractions. Students love playing it and I get to take a walk down nostalgia lane while they practice. I love having conversations with them about how Pac-Man was cutting edge tech and that it was super popular. What a great way to share a little bit of yourself with the kids.
In this game you have to eat the ghost that has the correct answer on it. You answer a few questions and beat the level. After that you move up to the next level. It is simple and gives kids more repetitions with this skill.
Ice-Cream Shop
In this ice cream shop activity students work on a website that has different ice cream cones to fill. They have to convert from improper fractions to mixed numbers and then apply the right amount of ice cream. It has a real world feel to it and it gives kids the challenge of completing the task. This one will get your students talking. They really have to take this skill to the next level because they apply it to something real.
Hands-On Lesson
This hands-on lesson includes a warm-up and multiple activities to use throughout. The main activity consists of using cubes and having students build towers based on improper fractions and mixed numbers. They make models with the cubes and then turn them into towers. This activity really shows students what the fractions look like and they get some hands-on practice.
Legos Example Video
I’m a huge Lego fan. Many students love Legos and they know Legos even more because of the recent movies. This video shows the relationship between mixed numbers and improper fractions using Legos. It’s great to watch and you could have students make their own video as well. Student can just use their iPad or Chromebook to make the video. You could also use a program like Flipgrid to make video making and sharing easy for the whole class.
Matching Game FREEBIE
This matching game freebie works great as a partner activity or for a math center. Students have to make pairs with visual representations as well as fractions and mixed numbers. All you have to do is print and go. I love having activities like this one in my back pocket for when I have a few minutes left at the end of class. Also, the fast finishers can go and grab this activity and be working on something immediately.
Try one thing
As teachers we constantly look for new activities to do with our students. I really enjoyed compiling this list and hope it gives you some ideas that you can implement in your classroom tomorrow. For print and go resources, the mazes, paper chains, and knockout game are all available in a discounted bundle here. My challenge to you is to try one new thing and see how it works. Your students will love the new activity and your class will be engaged from the get go.
Thanks so much for reading. You can find even more fun fractions activities for other fractions topics here. Until next time!
