EXPLORING FRACTIONS WITH TEAM FRACTION ACTIONAdding Fractions with Like Denominators

Through the following activities you will learn to add fractions with like denominators, simplifying your answers when necessary.

Lesson Objective

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• A working computer and mouse• Internet access• Paper and pencil• A positive attitude and willingness to explore fractions

What you need to get started

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Main Menu

Click on a box to the right to access a specific part of the lesson.

Part 1:Finding Fractions

within Pattern Blocks

Part 1:Finding Fractions

within Pattern Blocks

Part 2:Adding Fractions

with Like Denominators

Part 2:Adding Fractions

with Like Denominators

Part 3:Guided Practice with

Adding Fractions

Part 3:Guided Practice with

Adding Fractions

Part 4:General Assessment

Part 4:General Assessment

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Finding Fractions within Pattern Blocks

Part 1:

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Introduction to Activity

In this first activity you are going to be filling large pattern blocks with smaller shapes, as shown on the hexagon pictured to the left.

How many equilateral triangles are in this hexagon?

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Finding Fractions within Pattern Blocks

As you can see, 6 equilateral triangles fit inside this hexagon.

That means that each triangle is one sixth of the whole hexagon.

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Now it’s your turn to explore!

Would you like to play with virtual pattern blocks?

Take some time to explore the pattern block program before we begin the activity. If you have any questions, raise your hand. Have fun and come back in 3 minutes!

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Click here to access virtual pattern blocks. Click here to access virtual pattern blocks.

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Use your pattern blocks to help you answer the following question.

How many are in a ?

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Give this problem a try!

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Return to the virtual pattern blocks to figure out the answer! Return to the virtual pattern blocks to figure out the answer!

We can see that 2 triangles fit inside 1 rhombus. We know that each triangle is ½ of the whole

rhombus.

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Use your pattern blocks to help you answer the following question.

How many are in a ?

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Return to the virtual pattern blocks to figure out the answer! Return to the virtual pattern blocks to figure out the answer!

Let’s try this one!

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We can see that 3 triangles fit inside 1 trapezoid.

We could represent this mathematically with the following addition sentence. Can you figure out which parts of the sentence are accounting for the triangles?

What about the trapezoid?

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Use your pattern blocks to help you answer the following question.

How many are in a ?

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See if you can figure this one out!

Return to the virtual pattern blocks to figure out the answer! Return to the virtual pattern blocks to figure out the answer!

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We can see that 2 trapezoids fit inside 1 hexagon. We know that each trapezoid is half of the whole

hexagon.

Try to make the addition sentence that corresponds to this picture.

Click here to see the answer!BackBack

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This picture represents the following addition sentence:

We can see that there are 2 trapezoids that each cover half of the hexagon each. Each ½ represents one of the trapezoids, the 1

represents the whole hexagon that is covered.

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Use your pattern blocks to help you answer the following question.

If =1, then = ___?

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This one’s a little different…

Return to the virtual pattern blocks to figure out the answer! Return to the virtual pattern blocks to figure out the answer!

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We can see that 3 triangles fit into 1 trapezoid.

If 3 triangles fit into 1 whole (the trapezoid), then each triangle is 1/3 of the trapezoid.

Are you stuck? Click here to look back at a hexagon example that is similar to this one.

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Finding Fractions within Pattern Blocks

As you can see, 6 equilateral triangles fit inside this hexagon.

That means that each triangle is one sixth of the whole hexagon.

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16

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Use your pattern blocks to help you answer the following question.

If =1, then = ___?

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Try one more!

Return to the virtual pattern blocks to figure out the answer! Return to the virtual pattern blocks to figure out the answer!

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We can see that 2 trapezoids fit into 1 hexagon.

If 2 trapezoids fit into 1 whole (the hexagon), then each trapezoid is ½ of the hexagon. The numerator 1 tells us we are talking about one part out of the 2

total parts (the denominator) in the whole. NextNextBackBack

Making and solving fraction addition sentences can be easy when you think about the fractions being small parts of a larger shape.

Now, you’re going to learn another way to solve fraction addition

problems. NextNext

Great work so far!

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Lesson on Adding Fractions with Like Denominators

Part 2:

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Adding Fractions Quickly and Easily

Now you are going to watch a video to show you exactly how to add fractions.

You can always pause the video and raise your hand if you have a question. If you are ready to begin, click in the box below!

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Click here to begin the lesson on adding fractions. Click here to begin the lesson on adding fractions.

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Extra Practice with Adding Fractions

Part 3:

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Try these!

Click here for the answers to these practice problems.Click here for the answers to these practice problems.

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The 2+1 in the numerator gives us 3, then the denominator stays the same since our whole stays the same.

As you can see from the diagram, three-sixths can simplify to be ½.

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How did you solve the 1st problem?

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The 3+2 in the numerator gives us 5, then the denominator stays the same since our whole stays the same.

As you can see from the diagram, five-fifths is equivalent to 1.

How did you solve the 2nd problem?

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The 7+2 in the numerator gives us 9, then the denominator stays the same since our whole stays the same.

Nine-tenths cannot be simplified.

How did you solve the 3rd problem?

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Adding Fractions Assessment

Part 4:

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It’s time to show what you know!

You will be given a test to complete showing what you have learned about adding fractions with common denominators.

Do your very best; if you have a question raise your hand!

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