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Fraction Fiesta!

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Lesson Plan

Fraction Fiesta!

The student will be able to represent and solve problems involving the addition and subtraction of fractions with equal denominators, and multiply a fraction by a whole number.

Understanding fractions is a key skill for everyday life, from cooking to sharing. This lesson will help you confidently tackle fraction problems!

Audience

4th Grade Individual Student

Time

15 minutes

Approach

Hands-on practice with visual models and guided problem-solving.

Materials

Fraction Fiesta! Slide Deck, Fraction Action Worksheet Worksheet, and Fraction Action Answer Key Answer Key

Prep

Teacher Preparation

5 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up: Fraction Check-in

2 minutes

Begin by asking the student a quick question to gauge their prior knowledge.
"What do you remember about fractions? Can you give me an example of a fraction and what it means?"
Listen to their response and provide positive reinforcement.

Step 2

Mini-Lesson: Fraction Fundamentals

5 minutes

Use the Fraction Fiesta! Slide Deck to review key concepts:
- What is a fraction?
- Adding fractions with like denominators.
- Subtracting fractions with like denominators.
- Multiplying a fraction by a whole number.
Keep it concise and interactive, using visual aids on the slides. Ask guiding questions: "How is adding fractions like adding whole numbers? What's different?"

Step 3

Guided Practice: Worksheet Wonders

6 minutes

Distribute the Fraction Action Worksheet. Work through the first one or two problems together, modeling the thought process.
"Let's look at problem 1 together. What are we trying to find? What steps should we take?"
Allow the student to work independently on the remaining problems while providing individualized support and immediate feedback. Use the Fraction Action Answer Key for reference.

Step 4

Wrap-Up: Quick Review

2 minutes

Briefly review one or two problems from the worksheet, focusing on areas where the student might have struggled.
"Can you explain how you solved this problem? What was the most challenging part of today's fraction work?"
Offer encouragement and highlight their progress.

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Slide Deck

What's a Fraction?

A fraction is a way to show parts of a whole.

Think about a pizza! If you cut it into 8 slices, and you eat 1 slice, you've eaten 1/8 of the pizza.

Start by asking the student what they already know about fractions. Use real-world examples to make it relatable.

Adding Fractions

When you add fractions with the same bottom number (denominator), you just add the top numbers (numerators)!

Example: 1/4 + 2/4 = ?

Think: 1 apple + 2 apples = 3 apples. So, 1/4 + 2/4 = 3/4

Use visual models here (e.g., drawing circles or rectangles) to demonstrate. Emphasize that the denominator stays the same.

Subtracting Fractions

When you subtract fractions with the same bottom number (denominator), you just subtract the top numbers (numerators)!

Example: 3/5 - 1/5 = ?

Think: 3 cookies - 1 cookie = 2 cookies. So, 3/5 - 1/5 = 2/5

Again, use visual models. Reinforce that the denominator doesn't change.

Multiplying by a Whole Number

When you multiply a fraction by a whole number, you multiply the top number (numerator) by the whole number.

The bottom number (denominator) stays the same!

Example: 3 x 1/4 = ?

Think: You have 3 friends, and each gets 1/4 of a candy bar. How much candy bar total?

3 x 1/4 = 3/4

Explain this as repeated addition if it helps the student understand. Use an example like '3 groups of 1/4'.

Ready for Action?

You've got this! Let's try some practice problems together.

Encourage the student and ask if they have any questions before moving to practice.

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Worksheet

Fraction Action Worksheet

Directions: Read each problem carefully and solve. Show your work!

Part 1: Adding Fractions

  1. Maria ate 2/8 of a pizza and then ate another 3/8 of the pizza. How much pizza did Maria eat in total?

    Show your work:






    Answer:



  2. Luis walked 1/5 of a mile in the morning and 2/5 of a mile in the afternoon. How many miles did Luis walk altogether?

    Show your work:






    Answer:



  3. 1/3 + 1/3 = ?

    Show your work:






    Answer:



Part 2: Subtracting Fractions

  1. Sarah had 5/6 of a chocolate bar. She gave her friend 2/6 of the chocolate bar. How much of the chocolate bar does Sarah have left?

    Show your work:






    Answer:



  2. A painter had 4/7 of a can of paint. He used 3/7 of the can for a small project. How much paint is left?

    Show your work:






    Answer:



  3. 7/10 - 3/10 = ?

    Show your work:






    Answer:



Part 3: Multiplying a Fraction by a Whole Number

  1. There are 4 students, and each student gets 1/2 of an apple. How many apples are needed in total?

    Show your work:






    Answer:



  2. A recipe calls for 1/3 cup of flour per batch of cookies. If you want to make 3 batches, how much flour do you need?

    Show your work:






    Answer:



  3. 5 x 1/6 = ?

    Show your work:






    Answer:



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Answer Key

Fraction Action Answer Key

Part 1: Adding Fractions

  1. Maria ate 2/8 of a pizza and then ate another 3/8 of the pizza. How much pizza did Maria eat in total?

    Thought Process:

    • Identify the fractions: 2/8 and 3/8.
    • Notice the denominators are the same (8).
    • Add the numerators: 2 + 3 = 5.
    • Keep the denominator the same.

    Answer: 5/8 of the pizza

  2. Luis walked 1/5 of a mile in the morning and 2/5 of a mile in the afternoon. How many miles did Luis walk altogether?

    Thought Process:

    • Identify the fractions: 1/5 and 2/5.
    • Notice the denominators are the same (5).
    • Add the numerators: 1 + 2 = 3.
    • Keep the denominator the same.

    Answer: 3/5 of a mile

  3. 1/3 + 1/3 = ?

    Thought Process:

    • Identify the fractions: 1/3 and 1/3.
    • Notice the denominators are the same (3).
    • Add the numerators: 1 + 1 = 2.
    • Keep the denominator the same.

    Answer: 2/3

Part 2: Subtracting Fractions

  1. Sarah had 5/6 of a chocolate bar. She gave her friend 2/6 of the chocolate bar. How much of the chocolate bar does Sarah have left?

    Thought Process:

    • Identify the fractions: 5/6 and 2/6.
    • Notice the denominators are the same (6).
    • Subtract the numerators: 5 - 2 = 3.
    • Keep the denominator the same.

    Answer: 3/6 (or 1/2) of the chocolate bar

  2. A painter had 4/7 of a can of paint. He used 3/7 of the can for a small project. How much paint is left?

    Thought Process:

    • Identify the fractions: 4/7 and 3/7.
    • Notice the denominators are the same (7).
    • Subtract the numerators: 4 - 3 = 1.
    • Keep the denominator the same.

    Answer: 1/7 of the can of paint

  3. 7/10 - 3/10 = ?

    Thought Process:

    • Identify the fractions: 7/10 and 3/10.
    • Notice the denominators are the same (10).
    • Subtract the numerators: 7 - 3 = 4.
    • Keep the denominator the same.

    Answer: 4/10 (or 2/5)

Part 3: Multiplying a Fraction by a Whole Number

  1. There are 4 students, and each student gets 1/2 of an apple. How many apples are needed in total?

    Thought Process:

    • Identify the whole number (4) and the fraction (1/2).
    • Multiply the whole number by the numerator: 4 x 1 = 4.
    • Keep the denominator the same.

    Answer: 4/2 (or 2 whole) apples

  2. A recipe calls for 1/3 cup of flour per batch of cookies. If you want to make 3 batches, how much flour do you need?

    Thought Process:

    • Identify the whole number (3) and the fraction (1/3).
    • Multiply the whole number by the numerator: 3 x 1 = 3.
    • Keep the denominator the same.

    Answer: 3/3 (or 1 whole) cup of flour

  3. 5 x 1/6 = ?

    Thought Process:

    • Identify the whole number (5) and the fraction (1/6).
    • Multiply the whole number by the numerator: 5 x 1 = 5.
    • Keep the denominator the same.

    Answer: 5/6

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