Teaching the Common Core Math Standards With Hands-On Activities, Grades 3-5 (68 page)

Working in pairs or groups of three, students will solve word problems by adding and subtracting fractions. They will write equations and draw models that represent the problems.

Materials

Rulers; compasses; unlined paper; reproducible, “Estimating, Adding, and Subtracting Fractions,” for each pair or group of students.

Procedure

1.
Explain that equations and models are useful for representing fraction problems and can be helpful for finding solutions. For example, a half of a pie can be represented by
or a circle divided into 2 equal parts with 1 part being shaded. Ask your students for examples of other situations that can be represented by equations and modeled by fractions.

2.
Distribute copies of the reproducible. Explain that it contains four word problems. Students are to answer the questions and solve the problems. For each problem they must also write an equation and draw a model. They should draw their models, write equations, and provide the answers to the problems on the unlined paper. Encourage students to use their rulers and/or compasses to draw accurate models.

Closure

Discuss the answers to the problems on the reproducible. Ask students how accurate their estimates were, and how they determined their estimates. Have students share their equations and models with other groups. Select some problems and challenge students to find another model that supports their answer.

Answers

Estimates and models will vary; models should support student's answers.
(1)
;
(2)
and
;
cup
(3)
and
;
inches
(4)
and
;
Annie completed
more of the levels.