My neighbor’s mom is a math tutor and she likes to discuss how “Kids these days just don’t get fractions!” (Be sure to say that in a New York accent.) Whatever the reason, fractions can be difficult to understand. However, after you play these fraction games with your kids, they will have them figured out 100%. Okay, well at the very least they will be on their way to having a visual understanding of how fractions function. (Say “fractions function” three times fast.) Previously I shared a fractions game using a deck of cards, but this game is much simpler and perfect for beginners.
And since this IS Camp Mathematics, these fraction games are FUN.
What you need:
- A set of fraction cards. You can make you own, or you can print out ours and cut out the pieces. (see below for link).
- Children ready for a rowdy fraction math game. (I may have exaggerated the “rowdy” part.)
Download and Print –> Fraction bars (Note: our printable contains more cards than are necessary for the games below. Have fun coming up with your own games that use all the pieces.)
Fractions Game #1
Each player needs: one 1, one 1/2, three 1/4’s, two 1/3’s, six 1/6’s, six 1/8’s, and four 1/12’s .
Keeping his longest fraction — the “1”, or the whole — each player puts the remaining fractions in a bag or bowl.
Without looking, players alternate drawing fraction pieces until all pieces are gone.
Using their pieces, players race to put together three wholes. Players use the whole for comparison to make sure they have the correct length.
Alternative: Whoever can put the most 1/2’s together is the winner.
Fractions Game #2
Each player needs: one 1, one 1/2, three 1/4’s, two 1/3’s, six 1/6’s, six 1/8’s, and four 1/12’s .
Keeping his longest fraction — the “1”, or the whole — each player puts the remaining fractions in a bag or bowl.
Taking turns, each player draws 10 fraction pieces. (The rest are set aside.)
Players must use ALL of their fraction pieces to make wholes.
After players have used as many pieces as possible but not all of them, they can trade each other for the pieces they need.
Notes:
- Be aware, it is not always possible to use all the pieces to make wholes. That’s part of the learning process, too.
- You could turn this into a competitive game, but we found it more fun to work cooperatively, otherwise the trading got too intense.
Extensions:
- If your kids are feeling ambitious, they can use a compass and protractor to create fraction circles for the games. You can also find plenty of templates online if they want to play with “pie pieces”, but don’t want to create their own.
- Kids can use pieces to “build” 2 dimensional structures.
- Kids can make up their own fractions games using the pieces!
- Make fraction cookies for a post-game snack.
Don’t miss the Camp Mathematics fun at Coffee Cups and Crayons. This week Megan shows you how to turn lunch into math with fraction sandwiches!
Next week is our very last week! But you can catch up any time, because there is no bad time for math.
Week 1: Counting
Counting Down Game and DIY Abacus
Week 2: Calculations
Magic Squares and Shake and Roll Math Game
Week 3: Shapes
T Puzzle brain teaser and Grape Shapes
Week 4: Math Art
Spirolaterals and Patterns in Nature
Don’t miss our last week of Camp Mathematics. Sign up for our newsletter:
E.S. Ivy says
I agree, y’all. Kids these days don’t get fractions. (Said with a Texas accent.) My youngest is a GT, A+ math student entering 8th grade and she struggles with intuitively understanding fractions. Something is amiss and I don’t think it’s the kids’ fault…
E.S. Ivy says
P.S. Do you know of any good apps for fraction practice?
Erica MomandKiddo says
Sorry I’m so slow in getting back to you. I don’t actually use any apps with my kids so I don’t know. My older son has really enjoyed learning on Khan Academy, so that might be a useful site for you.