My neighbor's mother 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.) She chalked it up to tech screens' reliance on decimals. Whatever the reason, fractions can be difficult to understand and hopefully these fraction games will help!
This printable set of fractions is designed to give kids a visual understanding of how fractions function. (Say "fractions function" three times fast.) Previously I shared a fractions card game, but using this set for the fraction games described below is simpler and perfect for beginners.
Clik here to view.
These fraction games are part of the curriculum for Camp Mathematics, but you can play them with kids or students any time of the year!
What you need:
- Fraction cards. You can make you own, or you can print out ours and cut out the pieces. (see the form below to get our printable).
- A small paper bag or a bowl
- Children ready for a rowdy fraction math game. (I may have exaggerated the "rowdy" part.)
Use the form below to get our printable fraction cards. Note: our printable contains more fractions 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 ½, three ¼'s, two ⅓'s, six ⅙'s, six ⅛'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 as they draw the remaining fractions, 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 ½'s together is the winner.
Clik here to view.
MORE: Favorite math games for kids
Fractions Game #2
Each player needs: one 1, one ½, three ¼'s, two ⅓'s, six ⅙'s, six ⅛'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 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.
Clik here to view.
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 with fellow camp counselor at Coffee Cups and Crayons. This week Megan shows you how to turn lunch into math with fraction sandwiches!
- 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
- Week 5:
- You're reading it!
- Week 6: Games
- Cooperative dice games and Card games
The post Fraction Games for Kids: Visual Learning (Free Printable) appeared first on What Do We Do All Day.