Teaching the Common Core Math Standards With Hands-On Activities, Grades 3-5 (34 page)

3.
Hand out copies of the reproducible and explain that it contains three word problems involving addition and subtraction of fractions with like denominators.

4.
Assign either the first two problems, or all three. Note that the third problem, designated by “A Challenge,” requires addition and subtraction.

5.
Explain that students are to first solve the problems. Then, using drawing paper, they will create a visual fraction model of each problem. They are also to write an equation that represents the problem beneath each problem.

Closure

Discuss students' work. Review any answers, models, or equations that they found to be difficult. Display the models.

Answers

The answer is followed by a description of a possible model and an equation.
(1)
A circle is divided into 8 equal pieces. 5 of the pieces are shaded.
(2)
or
A whole is divided into 4 equal parts. 3 of the parts are shaded. 1 of the shaded parts is taken away. 2 shaded parts remain.
(3)
A whole is divided into 5 parts. 4 of the parts are shaded, representing the part of the class that wore either a red, white, or blue shirt. 1 of the 5 parts represents the fraction of students who wore white shirts. 2 of the 5 parts represent the fraction of students who wore blue shirts. 1 of 5 parts represents the fraction of the class that wore red shirts.

Fraction Bars

Names _________________________________ Date
_______________

Mixed Number Game Problems

Game Problem Clues, I

Answer	Clues	Problems
Box 1.	This is an addition problem. There are two mixed numbers and one numerator is 3.
Box 2.	This is a subtraction problem. One mixed number has two 2s.
Box 3.	This is an addition problem. It has one whole number and one fraction.
Box 4.	This is a subtraction problem. It has one mixed number and one unit fraction.