4th Grade: Puzzle Fun with Fractions

Hi everyone! My name is Jaida!

The activity I’ve created for you is using food-themed puzzle pieces to understand fractions. During this activity, the student will be using their knowledge of comparing denominators/numerators to one another, based on the images that are presented to them. This activity is a great way for your students to not only practice their fraction skills, but to also be able to have fun using different food/sweet treats they might see on a consistent basis.

The goal of this activity is for your student to be able to compare fractions with different numerators/denominators and similar numerators/denominators. While making this comparison, the student is expected to see the concept of how to use fractions in real life situations (ex: knowing the difference in ½ cup versus ¼ cup when cooking or measuring).

This will meet the Arizona Common Core standard 4.NF.A.2, by teaching students to compare two fractions with different numerators and different denominators, e.g., by creating common denominators or numerators, or by comparing to a benchmark fraction such as ½. Recognize that comparisons are valid only when the two fractions refer to the same whole. Record the results of comparisons with symbols >, =, or < and justify the conclusions, e.g., by using a visual fraction model.

What you will need:

● Provided template 

● Piece of cardboard 

● Clear tape 

● Glue 

● Scissors 

● String/yarn ● Pencil

White printer paper

 Notecards

Color construction paper

Colorful Pens/colored pencils OR crayons

Colorful sharpies/markers

 Scissors

Directions:

Creating the Activity

1. Using your blank sheet of paper, you are going to start by creating the outline of puzzle pieces (total of 3).

2. Next, on the top puzzle piece of the paper, you can start by writing a fraction of your choice (ex: 4/6), and creating two images that represent that one fraction (one side: pizza with 4 slices shaded/second side: box of fries with 4 fries shaded in). This will give the student the representation of how different one fraction can look through two random food items.

3. Then, on the bottom two puzzle pieces, you will create a simple fraction addition problem for the student, using that same denominator that was used at the top. (The purpose of this portion of the activity is for the student to practice adding fractions with denominators).

4. Finally, on 3-4 notecards, you are going to write the answers of each additional problem you created from your puzzle sheet. (These answers should be your eyes only, just until the student has finished adding all of the fraction problems without seeing the answers).

Beginning the activity:

1. Once you’ve completed the set up, you can now go ahead and have your student take a look at the images you created and describe to you what similarities they see based on the fraction, and both food/item pictures.

2. Next, you can have your student answer each fraction addition problem. Once they’ve completed this step, you can check their answers.

Game Rules:

1. The only game rules the student should be aware of, is not look at the fraction problem answers until the very end of the activity.

Conclusion of the Game:

1. Now that your student has successfully completed the game, he/she can go back and review any of the additional problems that might have missed or been a bit confused with.

Result: Now that your student has completed the game, hopefully he/she understands the concept of “like” and “different” numerators/denominators. Now, your student will be able to use these same concepts in the real world with real items!!

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