Fraction Games for 4th Graders

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q1: How do you explain equivalent fractions?

Ans: If two fractions are equivalent, the shaded area represented by both the models is exactly equal irrespective of the number of parts in it. For example, 2/3 and 4/6 are equivalent as both fraction models have two-third part shaded.

Q2: What is fraction and it's types?

Ans: Fraction represents part of a whole and usually refers to quantities which are less than 1. It is written in the form a/b. There are different types of fractions - Proper fractions which are less than 1, Improper fractions which are more than 1, Unit fractions which have numerator 1, Like fractions which has same denominators and Unlike fractions which have different denominators.

Q3: How can we add simple fractions?

Ans: To add simple fractions, if denominators are the same, add the numerators keeping the denominator the same. To add fractions with different denominators we first need to convert both fractions into fractions with common denominator and then add them just as we add like fractions.

Q4: How do we teach mixed numbers to kids?

Ans: Mixed numbers have two parts- the whole-number part and the fractional part. The word “and” is used between the whole-number part and the fractional part.Mixed numbers can be taught by using pictorial models in the beginning and then the children can illustrate mixed numbers using pictures. Mixed numbers can be used for arithmetic calculations and to solve real life problems on fractions.

Q5: What should a fourth grader know in fraction?

Ans: A fourth grader must know how to identify and represent a fraction. In addition to this, a fourth grader is expected to know comparing, adding, subtracting fractions and mixed numbers with same denominators. They should also be able to find equivalent fractions with and without using models.

Q6: How do you solve basic fraction problems?

Ans: We can use correct steps and our calculation skills to solve fraction problems. To explore fraction problems through games, you can visit SplashLearn page and find "Fraction games" in the tab "Math Games by Topics".

Q7: How do you teach equivalent fractions in 4th grade?

Ans: Equivalent fractions can be taught with models and real-life objects. For example, take 3 pizzas, cut the first one in half, each part representing 1/2, now cut the second pizza in 4 equal parts each representing 1/4 and the third pizza in 8 equal parts representing 1/8. We can observe that 1/2 is same amount as 2/4 which is again same as 4/8. Though the number of pieces of the pizza vary, yet the amount is same which means that the fractions 1/2, 2/4 and 4/8 are equivalent fractions. To make fractions equivalent, multiply the numerator and denominator of each fraction by a number such that their denomnators become the same.

 

One of the most initial math concepts that children get introduced to is the numbers. They relate to it by counting the things they see around them. Teachers use manipulatives to explain counting as well. The traditional learning methods like books do come with a lot of activities these days. Still, the math games and activities that are done outside the classroom attract kids more. They can relate more to these type of activities and they never get bored. This excitement created in the initial years of education helps the children to have a better connect with the subject.

Math Games for Fractions:

The traditional methods of computations without knowing the applications of a topic can lead to boredom. This develops a lack of interest towards the subject. The solution to this problem is to use interesting educational games right from the lower grades. Numbers and counting are something that kids themselves can find examples around them. But in grade 3 fractions are introduced. If you directly explain the parts of a fraction to a 3rd grader, it is definitely going to create confusion. Instead, if real-life situations like distributing cakes to the friends or buying a half/quarter pound of vegetables or filling gas in the fuel tank of the car in quarter/half/full etc.

SplashLearn provides an activity based learning program to achieve well-defined learning skill sets. Activities like identifying fractions and modeling fraction give a strong foundation for the children about the topic.

Math games for identifying equivalent fractions can be something like one of their favorite cartoon character chasing an equivalent fraction. The love for their favorite character will keep the kid in the game while the concept of equivalent fraction would be reinforced. One of the most important benefits of using math games is that the children do not get stressed while learning.

Sometimes, math games are used to augment the mathematical skills you possess from activities and mental math. Logical math games help children to have better reasoning skills. Further, most of the math games are self-explanatory. This helps children to do things independently and they grow confident in the subject.

 

Introduction to Fraction:

What is a fraction?

Fraction is a representation of a part of a whole.

They are represented using the fractional notation   where.

The line that separates the numerator and the denominator is called a fraction bar.

Let us consider the real-life example of distributing chocolate bar to the friends.

 

Suppose there are 8 kids attending a birthday party. When a pizza is distributed equally, each kid would get    of the pizza.

If there are four bottles of soft drinks it would be distributed equally among 8. That is, each kid would get  of a bottle of the soft drink.

Like fractions: Here, both pizza and the soft drinks are distributed among the equal number of people. That is, when the fractions are a part of the same whole or the same denominator. The fractions with same denominators are called like fractions. That is,  and  are like fractions.

Unlike fractions: Now, suppose one of the kids is leaving soon after having the soft drink without eating pizza. Then, the pizza would be distributed equally among the rest of the kids. So, each kid would get   of the slices. Now, the pizza is distributed among 7 kids and the soft drink is distributed between 8 kids. So, the denominators of the fraction are not the same. They are called, unlike fractions.

Proper & Improper fractions: Another categorization of fractions is proper and improper fractions. When the denominator of a fraction is less than the numerator, it is called a proper fraction. When the denominator is greater than the numerator, it is called an improper fraction. Here,  is a proper fraction and  is an improper fraction.

Simplest Form of fractions: To reduce or simplify fractions one need to divide both the numerator and the denominator by the same number. In the fraction  , both 4 and 8 can be divided by 4. So, the fraction in simplest form is .

 

Math Manipulatives for Teaching Fractions

 

Fraction Circles:  In a fraction circle manipulative, various parts of a fraction will be given. The child needs to choose the correct parts to form a circle.

 

Fraction Charts/Fraction Wall: 

A fraction wall would give an idea of dividing a whole into parts which are precisely the definition of a fraction is.

This can be used to explain equivalent fractions as well. Here, the child can understand that  and  are equivalent fractions as occupy the exact same area in the strip.

Fraction strips: 

For addition and subtraction of fractions, fraction strips are of great help.

Addition of like fractions,

When the fractions to be added are unlike fractions, say, , the fraction strips could be

.

Now, the first fraction  can be rewritten as   and the fraction strips can be re-drawn as

Now, the addition can be performed as:

 

A similar fraction strip can be used for subtraction as well.

Multiplication of fractions can be shown using two different fraction strips.

 

 

Learning Methodologies for Fraction Games for 4th Graders

Equivalent Fractions:

By the end of grade 3, the children are familiar with equivalent fractions with and without models.

In grade 4, children understand the method of generating equivalent fraction by multiplying the numerator and the denominator by the same number.

That is,   and  are equivalent fractions.

The equivalent fractions worksheets provided by SplashLearn give a good practice for solving fractions.

 

Comparing Fractions:

In grade 4, children can evaluate a fraction using the benchmark fractions  and 1. Given a fraction, children can identify whether it is less than, greater than or equal to  and 1.

For example, fill the blanks using the signs <, > or =.

 

 

First, consider the fraction equivalent to  and has the denominator equal to the other fraction. That is, . Now, comparing fractions  and  are much easier as they have the same denominator. Since 5 > 3, .

Thus, .

To compare two unlike fractions, a similar method of rewriting them using the equivalent fractions and comparing the numerators would work.

Addition and subtraction of like fractions:

The addition of two like fractions can be represented using fraction strips as shown:

Algebraically,  this adding fractions can be done by simply adding the numerators. Note that the denominator represents the whole and it is not added during the addition.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

Subtracting fractions can be performed using the same rule.

For example,   .

Mixed Numbers:

A mixed number or a mixed fraction has a whole number part and a fractional part.  A mixed number say,  is same as . Since the fractional part of the mixed number has a denominator 10, the whole number part can be written as a fraction with denominator 10.                                                                                                      That is, .

For the conversion of an improper fraction to a mixed number, first, divide the numerator by the denominator. The quotient of the division would be the whole number part and the remainder would be the numerator of the fractional part. The denominator remains the same.

SplashLearn explains this concept using quite a lot of models. The worksheets for the conversions from mixed numbers to fractions and vice versa gives a clear picture of the topic.

Adding and Subtracting Mixed Fractions:

Adding mixed fractions can be modeled by using a fractional strip, a number line or a fraction bar. The number line representation of  is shown below.

Algebraically this can be done in two ways. The integral parts and fractional parts and the fractional parts can be added separately. That is,                                                

Another method is to re-write the mixed number into an improper fraction. Now, the two fractions can be added like before.

Here, the mixed fraction  can be written as . The addition can be performed as shown:

After a good amount of practice for the addition of mixed fractions, the child can compute the addition as a mental math.

Subtracting mixed fractions also has a similar procedure. As in the case of addition, the subtraction also starts with using models as shown.

The subtraction without using the models is similar to that of addition. It is just that the child needs to be extra careful if the integral and the fractional parts of the fractions are subtracted separately.

Complete the fraction equation,

The fraction to be subtracted from   to get   is same as  .

Thus, the missing number is 2.

The subtracting mixed fraction calculator problems in SplashLearn is a good combination of easy-medium-difficult ones. This gives a good foundation for handling complex fractions in higher grades.

 Multiplication of a fraction by a whole number

A multiplication is always a repeated addition. That is, when a number is multiplied by 5, it is the same as adding the number for 5 times. This is the same in fractions too.

Consider the fraction strips:

Here each of the addends is a unit fraction, one-fourth and there are 3 such addends.

So, the multiplication represented is .  If the shaded parts of the fractions are collected in one of the strips, you can see that there are 3 shaded parts. That is, the product can be represented using the strip

Thus, .

Fraction strips like this help children to get the geometric picture of the arithmetic calculation.

The multiplication of a non-unit fraction with a whole number, say,  can also be represented using similar fraction strips.

The product is .

The same thing can be represented using a  number line as shown:

Each leap moves three-fourth of a unit to the right. Since the multiplication is by 2, after the second leap it reaches the product .

The worksheets for multiplying fractions by whole are available at https://www.splashlearn.com/s/math-games/select-the-multiplication-expression-represented-by-fraction-models.

Decimal Notation for Fractions:

Tenths are special fractions with denominator 10. Any decimal number can be represented as a fraction with a denominator which is a power of 10. For example, the decimal number 0.2 can be written in fractional notation as . Similarly, hundredths are special fractions with denominator 100. A decimal number 0.25 can be converted to  as fraction. Conversion between tenths and hundredths is a special case of equivalence of fractions.

Multiplying the numerator and denominator of  by 10,  . That is, 2 tenths are equivalent to 20 hundredths. The converting fraction worksheets provided by SplashLearn has a handful of questions that models tenths and hundredths using fractional strips. These strips explain how to change decimal to fraction with denominator 10 and vice versa. This geometrical interpretation helps children correlating the two and deduce the equivalence.

For example, children can add 0.4 and 0.23. First, convert decimal to fraction as  and . Rewriting the first fraction as  the addition becomes an easy task:

 

Convert fraction to decimal.

Thus, 0.4 + 0.23 = 0.63.

A clear concept about the above conversions enables children to manipulate the conversions between the decimal unit systems of length, weight etc. That is, children can interpret 34 centimeters as 0.34 meter.

Another skill learned at the level is comparing decimals based on their sizes.

For example, to compare the decimals 0.4 and 0.68.

One needs to realize that comparisons are valid only when the two decimals refer to the same whole. When you convert the decimals to fractions,  and  the two fractions do not have the same whole. To compare them, rewrite the fraction.

 

Now, the two fractions refer to the same whole. Comparing the numerators, .

Thus, 0.4 < 0.68.