Script: Fraction Fashion Show

Warm-Up: What Do You See? (2 minutes)

"Hey there! Thanks for joining our 'Fraction Fashion Show' today. Before we dive into some awesome new fraction moves, let's do a quick warm-up.

If I show you a picture of a pizza cut into two equal pieces, and one piece is gone, what fraction would that be?"
(Pause for student response, guide if needed to 1/2)

"Great! Now, what if that same pizza was cut into four equal pieces, and one piece was gone? What fraction is that?"
(Pause for student response, guide if needed to 1/4)

"Fantastic! So, when we look at a fraction like 1/2 or 1/4, what does the top number tell us? What about the bottom number?"
(Listen for responses about parts and whole, clarify as needed.)

Introduction: Fraction Fashion Show (3 minutes)

"You've got it! The top tells us how many pieces we have, and the bottom tells us how many pieces make up the whole.

Today, we're going to become 'Fraction Fashion Designers'! Sometimes fractions come to us in totally different 'outfits' or sizes, like 1/2 and 1/3. We can't easily add or subtract them if their pieces are different sizes, just like you can't compare a giant hat to a tiny shoe directly! We need to make their pieces the same size, or find a common 'outfit' so they can walk down the runway together.

We're going to use visual models – like drawing pictures of our fractions – to make sure they are wearing the same 'size' pieces. This will help us add and subtract them. Are you ready to see some fraction makeovers?"

Guided Practice: Modeling Addition (4 minutes)

"Alright, let's look at our first fashion challenge: 1/2 + 1/3.
(Direct student to Slide Deck: Fraction Fashion Show, Slide 2)

First, imagine you have one bar representing 1/2, and another bar representing 1/3. Can you easily just smoosh those together and say what you have? Not really, because their pieces are different sizes.

So, our job as designers is to find a way to cut both of these bars so they have pieces that are all the same size. What's the smallest number of pieces we could cut both the half and the third into so that all the new pieces are equal? Think about common multiples!"
(Guide student to think about 6ths)

"Exactly! If we cut both into sixths, then 1/2 becomes how many sixths? Look at the model!"
(Guide student to 3/6)

"And 1/3 becomes how many sixths?"
(Guide student to 2/6)

"Now that they both have pieces of the same size – they are both wearing 'sixths' – can we add them? Yes! What do we get when we add 3/6 + 2/6?"
(Guide student to 5/6)

"Awesome! You just added fractions with unlike denominators by making their pieces the same size!

Now, let's try one together. How would you model and solve 1/4 + 1/2? Remember to draw your fractions and make their pieces the same size!"
(Provide paper/whiteboard, offer support and guidance as student models, leading them to 3/4)

Guided Practice: Modeling Subtraction (4 minutes)

"You're doing great with addition! Now let's tackle subtraction. Sometimes we need to 'take away' some fraction pieces.
(Direct student to Slide Deck: Fraction Fashion Show, Slide 3)

Our next challenge is 3/4 - 1/2. Imagine you start with a bar showing 3/4. We want to take away 1/2. Can we just remove one of the halves from our three quarters? It's tricky because the pieces aren't the same size.

What's the 'fashion makeover' we need to do here? What common 'outfit' size can both 3/4 and 1/2 wear so we can easily take away?"
(Guide student to think about 4ths)

"Perfect! We can keep 3/4 as it is, and what does 1/2 become when we dress it up in quarters?"
(Guide student to 2/4)

"Excellent! So now we have 3/4 and we're taking away 2/4. What's left?"
(Guide student to 1/4)

"You got it! We subtracted fractions by making their pieces the same size.

Let's try another one. How would you model and solve 2/3 - 1/6? Take your time, draw your models, and think about that common 'outfit' size!"
(Provide paper/whiteboard, offer support and guidance as student models, leading them to 3/6 or 1/2)

Independent Practice: Worksheet Time! (2 minutes)

"You've shown me some fantastic fraction fashion sense! Now it's time for you to be the head designer. I have a Worksheet: Model Your Fractions for you. For each problem, I want you to draw a model to show how you add or subtract the fractions, just like we did together. Remember to make the pieces the same size!

I'll be right here if you have any questions or want to show me your amazing designs!"
(Distribute worksheet and observe/support.)

Wrap-Up: Model Review (Optional)

"Great work on the worksheet! Let's quickly look at one of your problems.

How did drawing the fractions help you solve these problems? What was the most challenging part about making those fraction pieces match?"
(Discuss student's experience and provide positive feedback.)

Model Your Fractions Worksheet

Name: _________________________

Directions: For each problem below, draw models (like fraction bars or circles) to represent the fractions. Then, find a common denominator by dividing your models into equal-sized pieces. Finally, use your models to solve the addition or subtraction problem. Show all your work!

Addition Problems

1. Draw models to solve:
   1/3 + 1/6 = ?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. Draw models to solve:
   1/2 + 2/8 = ?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

3. Draw models to solve:
   2/5 + 1/10 = ?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Subtraction Problems

4. Draw models to solve:
   3/4 - 1/2 = ?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

5. Draw models to solve:
   5/6 - 1/3 = ?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

6. Draw models to solve:
   7/10 - 2/5 = ?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Model Your Fractions Answer Key

Directions: This answer key shows the correct solutions and provides explanations for modeling the fractions.

Addition Problems

1. 1/3 + 1/6 = 3/6 or 1/2

   • Thought Process: Start by drawing one bar divided into 3 equal parts with 1 shaded (1/3) and another bar divided into 6 equal parts with 1 shaded (1/6). To add them, we need common-sized pieces. We can divide the 1/3 bar into 6ths, making it 2/6. Now we have 2/6 + 1/6, which combines to 3/6. The model clearly shows 3/6 is equivalent to 1/2.
   • Model Representation (Example):
     • 1/3: [][][] (one shaded)
       
     • 1/6: [][] [][][] (one shaded)
       
     • Change 1/3 to 2/6: [][][][][][] (two shaded)
       
     • Add: [][][][][][] (three shaded)
       
       
       

2. 1/2 + 2/8 = 6/8 or 3/4

   • Thought Process: Draw one bar for 1/2 and another for 2/8. The easiest common denominator is 8. So, we convert 1/2 to 4/8 by dividing its halves into 4 pieces each. Now we add 4/8 + 2/8, which equals 6/8. Visually, 6/8 will clearly show 3 out of 4 main sections shaded.
   • Model Representation (Example):
     • 1/2: [][]
     • 2/8: [][][][][][][]
     • Change 1/2 to 4/8: [][][][][][][]
     • Add: [][][][][][][]
     • Result: [][][][]
       
       
       
       

3. 2/5 + 1/10 = 5/10 or 1/2

   • Thought Process: Model 2/5 and 1/10. The common denominator is 10. Convert 2/5 to 4/10. Now add 4/10 + 1/10, resulting in 5/10. The model will show half of the total parts shaded.
   • Model Representation (Example):
     • 2/5: [][][][]
     • 1/10: [][][][][][][][][]
     • Change 2/5 to 4/10: [][][][][][][][][]
     • Add: [][][][][][][][][]
     • Result: [][]
       
       
       
       

Subtraction Problems

4. 3/4 - 1/2 = 1/4

   • Thought Process: Begin by modeling 3/4. Then, consider 1/2. To subtract, we need to make 1/2 into quarters, which is 2/4. From your 3/4 model, visually take away 2/4. You will be left with 1/4.
   • Model Representation (Example):
     • Start with 3/4: [][][][]
     • Convert 1/2 to 2/4. Visually remove 2/4 from the 3/4.
     • Remaining: [][][][]
       
       
       
       

5. 5/6 - 1/3 = 3/6 or 1/2

   • Thought Process: Model 5/6. Convert 1/3 to an equivalent fraction with a denominator of 6, which is 2/6. Visually subtract 2/6 from 5/6. You are left with 3/6, which is equivalent to 1/2.
   • Model Representation (Example):
     • Start with 5/6: [][][][][][]
     • Convert 1/3 to 2/6. Visually remove 2/6.
     • Remaining: [][][][][][]
       
       
       
       

6. 7/10 - 2/5 = 3/10

   • Thought Process: Model 7/10. Convert 2/5 to an equivalent fraction with a denominator of 10, which is 4/10. Visually subtract 4/10 from 7/10. You will have 3/10 remaining.
   • Model Representation (Example):
     • Start with 7/10: [][][][][][][][][]
     • Convert 2/5 to 4/10. Visually remove 4/10.
     • Remaining: [][][][][][][][][]