Games for Fractions & Math
Fraction concepts can be practiced in games that get the entire class involved. This is because fractions involve translations between forms, such as decimals, percents, and mixed fractions. Games involve the students in a fun activity that breaks up the routine and allows them to observe and learn from the answers of other students.
Other People Are Reading
-
Reduction Bees
-
Reduction Bees are set up like spelling bees: children stand in a line in front of the room and are asked questions in turn. If they give the wrong answer, they sit down. This kind of game is best for young students who are just learning to reduce fractions. The fractions to reduce should start off easy, like 2/4 and 6/8 then get increasingly difficult, such as 100/150. You may wish to include fractions that cannot be reduced, like 22/39.
The Adding Game
-
This is a game for older kids. Go around the room with the first student supplying a first fraction, the second student supplying a second fraction, the third student giving the sum of the two fractions and the fourth student saying if the answer is correct. It is a good idea to set boundaries for younger students, such as that the numerators and denominators must be single digits. For older students the limit may be raised to double digits. If the number of students in the room is divisible by four, the teacher should become a player in the game so that each time the game comes around to a student they have a different role in the game.
-
Fractions, Percents and Decimals
-
Each fraction has an equivalent percentage and decimal. For example, 3/4 is the same as 75% which is the same as 0.75. This is the basis of a fast action game. Going around the room, the first student supplies either a fraction, percent or decimal, the next student gives one of the two equivalent forms, and the third student gives the remaining equivalent form. If the first student says 20%, the second student might say 0.20 and the third student would say 1/5. If the number of students in the room is divisible by 3, the teacher should get into the game.
Egyptian Fractions
-
Egyptian Fractions always had a one in the numerator. Every fraction can be written as the sum of Egyptian fractions with no repeated fractions. For example, 3/4 = 1/2 + 1/4. This can be turned into a game where the first student supplies a fraction, the second student gives an equivalent sum of Egyptian fractions and the third student says if the sum is correct. If the number of students in the room is divisible by 3, the teacher should get into the game.
-
References
Resources
- Photo Credit isolated circles graph made from fraction circles image by davidcrehner from Fotolia.com
