If you’re getting ready to introduce fractions to your students, I have some great tools to help you. Your students will see fractions as parts of a whole and gain a stronger foundation before diving into more complex fraction skills.
Introducing Basic Fractions
Fraction Tiles
Use circles or tiles to have students:
- compare and order unit fractions (1/2, 1/3, 1/4, etc.)
- combine unit fractions to compare fractions with unlike denominators
Use a whiteboard and magnetic fraction manipulatives to lead a mini-lesson or small group intervention. Have students model the fractions with their own sets of fraction tiles.
Your school’s textbook company may come with manipulative kits, or you can purchase them here (Amazon affiliate link).
Begin by introducing basic unit fractions with the tiles.
Have them line up various sets of unit fractions to see how they compare. Have them figure out that the greater the number in the denominator, the smaller the fraction is; the lower the number in the denominator, the greater the fraction is.
Create More Complex Comparisons
Combine unit fractions (example: put five 1/6 tiles together to create 5/6 and seven 1/9 fractions to create 7/9) and then compare your new fractions with unlike denominators. Continue to practice with fraction tiles until your students are ready to create comparisons without them.
Watch the video below to see an example of ideas you can include in a lesson.
You can find so many ways to use fraction tiles for a basic introduction and also have students use them in small groups and/or intervention.
Looking for More Information and Resources for Fractions?
Blog Posts
- Adding and Subtracting Fractions
- Adding and Subtracting Mixed Numbers
- Multiplying Fractions
- Dividing Fractions
- Equivalent Fractions
- Introducing Fractions
- Simplifying Fractions
- Improper Fractions and Mixed Numbers
