Understanding the Challenges of Fractions

Fractions can be tricky, but they’re an essential part of math. Many students struggle with equivalent fractions, LCM, and adding and subtracting with different denominators. Our activity set is here to make these concepts crystal clear and easy to understand.

The “Fraction Addition and Subtraction Activity Set“

Our 5-activity set is designed to cater to various learning styles and preferences. Whether you’re a visual learner, a hands-on learner, or someone who thrives on worksheets, we’ve got you covered. Here’s a sneak peek at what the set includes:

• Equivalent Fractions Coded Message Puzzle: Solve equivalent fractions to crack the code and make learning feel like a game!
• A Maze of Clues: Adding and subtract fractions with like denominators and give your answers in lowest terms to find your way through a maze!
• A Spiral Scramble: Find the LCM of sets of numbers and use the unique puzzle to discover clues!
• A Hidden Message: Add and subtract fractions with unlike denominators to discover a hidden message!
• A Scavenger Hunt: An engaging scavenger hunt wraps up the activity

When you use all of these activities together, your students will solve The Case of The Forgetful Farmhand.

The Benefits of Using Our Activity Set

• Hands-On Learning: Our set provides a hands-on approach, making complex concepts more accessible.
• Engaging Activities: Learning feels like play, keeping students motivated and excited about math.
• Comprehensive Coverage: Cover everything from equivalent fractions to adding and subtracting with unlike denominators.

How to Get Started

To get started with our “Fraction Addition and Subtraction Activity Set,” simply CLICK HERE. You’ll find all the information you need.

What Others Are Saying

Don’t just take our word for it. Here are some testimonials from happy customers who have experienced success with our activity set:

• “Loved this! It was so fun and the students really had a great time solving the mystery. The skills needed for each page perfectly aligned with what I had just taught the class.”
• “Would buy again 1000 times over! Fantastic project that kept my students engaged and excited. Took place over the course of a few days and every day my students were looking forward to completing this activity. Could not have asked for a better math resource to test knowledge and engage my students.”

Mastering fraction addition and subtraction is no longer an uphill battle. With our “Fraction Addition and Subtraction Activity Set,” you can conquer these challenging concepts while having fun along the way. Don’t let fractions hold you back; unlock the secrets of fraction mastery today!

If you’re ready to make math a breeze, check out our product and start your journey to fraction fluency. With engaging activities and comprehensive coverage, you’ll be on your way to math success in no time. Get started now, and say goodbye to fraction frustration!

1. Start with Real-Life Examples: Begin by discussing real-world scenarios where slope is relevant. For instance, I usually talk about skiing and how I would most certainly use the Bunny Slope. This can help build a conceptual foundation before diving into mathematical definitions.
2. Visual Aids and Graphs: I might show some pictures of some different slopes, extending beyond the ski slopes, but even to financial graphs. Here I might introduce the idea of positive and negative slope. When put into the context of money, students do not have a problem deciphering between the two!
3. Definition of Slope: Next I will introduce the mathematical definition of slope, first as rise over run and then using the slope formula.
4. Slope as Rate of Change: Explain that slope can be thought of as a rate of change. For example, if you’re talking about a distance-time graph, the slope represents speed or velocity. In a real-life context, you can relate slope to concepts like speed, growth, or decline.
5. Interactive Activities: Incorporate hands-on activities and interactive games to reinforce the concept. One year, I taped off a coordinate grid on the floor of my classroom and had the students physically move according to the slope I gave.
6. Practice: I have my students practice finding the slope of various lines on a graph. I use a variety of activities, but I especially enjoy activities like these.

Remember that not all students learn at the same pace, so be prepared to adapt your teaching strategies to meet the needs of individual learners. Encourage questions and provide ample opportunities for practice to reinforce the concept of slope.

Many curricula split the study of solving quadratics into four parts: factoring, completing the square, Quadratic Formula, and graphing. These resources combine these four tiers of learning into one compelling mystery activity!

Factoring

There are two options for starting off your mysterious journey: by factoring with a=1 or with a≠1. In both mystery bundles, this first activity is a scavenger hunt which you can customize with your own title, suspects, weapons, and location. Basically, you get to design your own mystery!

I think scavenger hunts are a GREAT way to get your students engaged in learning and to keep them focused. (You can read more of my thoughts on this here.) These activities are no exception. Each set has 20 equations which, when factored, will eliminate a suspect, a weapon, or a location. When the students has finished, they will have solved the first part of this mystery!

Ready-Made Resources has a TON of these kinds of customizable mystery scavenger hunts for many math topics in their TPT store. Take a look!

Completing the Square

Whichever factoring route you take, your second stop in this mystery series is The Case of the Locked Briefcase. In this activity, whoever your villain was from the first mystery has a briefcase, and we need to decipher the code to unlock it!

Students solve a series of quadratic equations to determine word clues that they will use to fill in the blanks. When they are finished, they will have sentences they will use to complete a logic puzzle and determine the briefcase’s combination.

Quadratic Formula

No study of quadratics would be complete without the Quadratic Formula, and no mystery would be complete without a hidden message!

In this activity, as students solve each equation, they will discover a letter that is assigned to each question number. They will use these letters to discover a message of what Ray found in the briefcase.

I love that this activity gives answers in both exact fractional/radical form as well as in decimal equivalents so you can differentiate for the different learning levels of your students!

Graphing

I don’t know about you, but I always save graphing for the last method because once they learn it, students may not attempt to use the other methods we’ve discussed!

In this final activity, students match equations with their graphs to discover where the villain is hiding. Some of these graphs look pretty similar, so this is excellent practice for the students to pay close attention to their zeros and intercepts.

Digital!

And did I mention all of these activities can be used in a digital format as well? All of the downloads include a link to a Google Slides activity that matches the worksheet!

1. Active Learning

Scavenger hunts require students to actively participate in solving algebraic problems or answering questions. This hands-on approach promotes deeper understanding and retention of the material.

2. Collaboration

If you choose to allow your students to work in groups, scavenger hunts often involve teamwork and collaboration among students. Working together to solve clues or find solutions encourages communication, peer teaching, and a sense of camaraderie.

3. Motivation and Engagement

Scavenger hunts inject an element of excitement and adventure into the classroom, motivating students to actively participate and immerse themselves in the algebraic content.

4. Confident Boost

Successfully completing a scavenger hunt can boost students’ self-esteem and confidence in their algebraic abilities, fostering a positive attitude toward the subject.

5. Immediate Feedback

As students progress through the scavenger hunt, they receive immediate feedback on their choices and solutions. This allows for self-assessment and helps students identify areas that may need further review.

6. Intrinsic Motivation

Scavenger hunts tap into students’ natural curiosity and desire for exploration, fostering intrinsic motivation to learn algebra.

7. Classroom Atmosphere

Incorporating scavenger hunts adds an element of fun and unpredictability to the classroom environment, making algebra lessons more dynamic and enjoyable.

8. Variety of Learning Styles

Scavenger hunts can cater to different learning styles, accommodating visual, auditory, kinesthetic, and tactile learners. The multi-sensory nature of the activity can enhance understanding and retention.

When designing scavenger hunts, it’s important to ensure that the tasks and clues align with the learning objectives of the algebra curriculum. Here are some of our best-selling scavenger hunts from our store at TPT!

1. Start with the Basics

Before your students start transforming functions, you will want to make sure they have a good understanding of the parent functions (linear, quadratic, cubic, square root, etc.) You may want to take time to review key characteristics and vocabulary like domain, range, and end behavior.

2. Use Graphing Calculator or Interactive Activities

Using graphing calculators or interactive graphing exercises can help students observe the transformations in real-time and help them to grasp how changes in the parameters affect the graph. I have really enjoyed using some FREE activities at Desmos with my students!

3. Focus on Patterns with a Step-by-Step Approach

I am a list-maker by nature, so I really appreciated when my teachers gave me a pattern or list to follow when I started a difficult topic. Modelling what key words to look for or how to interpret transformations in a step-by-step manner may help your students as well. At the bottom of this article, you will find a link to a free download of the anatomy of a transformation. I’m gonna be honest; I still use it when I am working through transformations!

4. Practice Variety

Mix up the way you have your students practice writing transformations! It’s fine to have them do problems out of their textbook, but there are other options as well! If you have time to do some practice in class, make it a scavenger hunt and encourage group work! If students need to do the work on their own, give them a digital assignment in Google Slides or using TPT’s Easel! (I love the self-grading feature of Easel!) If you want to mix it up, but don’t have time to create a new masterpiece, take a look at these options that are ready for you!

Remember to create a supportive learning environment where students feel comfortable asking questions and seeking clarification. Utilize interactive activities, group discussions, and hands-on exercises to engage students and reinforce their understanding of transformations.

Download your FREE Transformations Guide to use with your students today!

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Because the lack of understanding is so wide-spread, I often spend several class periods reteaching this skill in the way that I have had the most success — I keep the rules simple.

Simplify the Rules

I found this to be the #1 key to helping my students master adding and subtracting integers. Basically, there are two rules for adding integers, and it all comes down to whether or not the numbers have the same signs.

That really is the gist of adding integers at its most basic level. I always put “larger” in quotation marks because I’m not talking about the value of the number in the question; rather, I have the students just rely on their intuitive understanding of numbers. Let’s look at some examples.

In this example, we see the numbers have the same sign; they are both negative. We just add the numbers and keep the sign. Easy.

In this next example, I walk my students through the process of determining the numbers have opposite signs. Based on our rule, we subtract the numbers (9 – 4) and we use the sign of the “larger” number. Since 9 is bigger than 4, we use its sign, and our answer is positive.

If this example, my students would again find the numbers have opposite signs, so we subtract. Again, 9 is bigger than 4, so we use the sign that goes with 9.

Putting the process in terms of a straightforward rule, really seems to help my students. After repeating this process for a couple of class periods, it really seems to click.

But what about subtracting integers?

I tell my students that those adding rules are hard enough; we definitely don’t want to memorize anything more, right? (They always agree.) So instead, we change every subtraction problem into an addition problem; then we can use our rules of addition.

Change “-” into “+ -“

Change “- -” into “+”

This “rule” takes a little more convincing, but when they realize this creates an addition problem, the students usually get on board.

I train my students to rewrite a “minus a minus” to a plus, so we can use our two addition rules.

Student Cheat Sheet

It takes some time to really get these rules solidified, so I like to give my students a “Cheat Sheet,” that they can refer to as they are really getting the hang of it. I would love to share this resource with you! Just fill out this form to get the full-sized file.

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The Round Robin Activity.

Honestly, I don’t remember if that’s what the presenter called it or not, but that’s what I call it. This is a terrific way to break up a mundane review lesson and get your students working together.

It is a little complicated to explain, but stay with me. It’s worth it! Here is the gist:

• Desks are positioned in a circle and students are seated in pairs, facing each other.
• The student seated on the OUTSIDE of the circle will be moving. The student on the INSIDE stays put.
• Students are given a task card that they complete.
• Students EXCHANGE cards with the person sitting across from them, and complete their new card.
• Students sitting on the OUTSIDE of the circle move one seat over, taking their belongings and their new card with them.
• When they sit down, they EXCHANGE cards with their new partner and work their new card.
• When everyone is finished, the students on the OUTSIDE move again one seat over, and exchange again.
• This continues until we run out of time or complete all of the card.

Whew! Sounds like a lot, eh? Here’s the process broken down in smaller bits. In this explanation, we’re going to follow a student named Joe. He is highlighted in yellow.

Round One

Position the student desks or tables in two concentric circle-ish shapes with pairs of desks facing each other. You will have half the students sitting at the desks on the inside of the circle and the other half sitting at the desks on the outside of the circle.

Give each student a numbered answer document as well as a numbered question or Task Card, like these.

Each student works on the question he’s been given, recording his answer in the correct place on his answer document. For example, Joe has card #11, so he will find box 11 on his answer document, and record his answer there.

This is the busiest part for you, the teacher. As the students get their answers, go around and check their work, making sure they have gotten to the correct answer. This first card takes the longest because you are making sure everyone gets to the right answers!

Round Two

After everyone has correctly answered their questions, have them trade cards with the student sitting across from them. Now they will find this new number on their answer document and work on their new card. Notice Joe now has card #1.

I often say something like, “If you have any questions or if you’re stuck, you are in luck! Your partner has mastered this question, and they can help you out!”

This is the beauty of this activity: students become peer tutors! They can confidently help each other because they have already answered the question, and they know the got to the correct answer! This builds amazing confidence in the students.

After the students have all finished their second card, the students sitting on the outside circle will pick up their belongings, including the last card they worked on, and move one seat to the left. I usually say something like, “Thank your partner for their help, and if you’re sitting on the outside of the circle, pick up your things and move one seat over.”

Notice Joe has taken his Card #1, and has moved one seat over. Now he has a new partner.

I usually say something like, “Introduce yourself to your new partner and say hello!” and then we move on to…

Round Three

When the students get settled, the students exchange cards. Now the students again have a new question to answer, and they are sitting across from someone who has just solved it. Students are now working on this THIRD question.

Notice, Joe traded with his new partner, so now has card # 12. Just to keep track, he has worked on cards 11, 1, and now 12.

From this point forward, the pair will only exchange cards ONE TIME with their partner, that is, when they first sit down.

Round Four and Beyond

After they have completed the third question, I tell the students again, “Thank your partner for their help, and if you’re sitting on the outside of the circle, move one seat over. Introduce yourself and exchange cards with your new partner!”

So Joe will take his Card #12 and move over one seat to the left

Then he will exchange cards with his new partner. This will give Joe Card #2.

We continue in this manner until we run out of time or until we have completed the questions I planned to complete for the day.

I know it sounds complicated, but you really do get into a rhythm. Let me know if you try this in your classroom!

Here are 10 great ways you can use task cards in your classroom:

1. Bellringer

Task Cards are a great way to kick off your class. They are easy to distribute and the students can get started right away. You can start class with a quick task card challenge to review previous concepts or even to introduce a new one!

2. Math Stations

Sometimes students need an entire class period where they can work on a specific skill. Pre-made Task Cards like these make it easy to set up a series of stations that students can rotate through independently or in small groups/.

3. Ticket Out the Door

You can use Task Cards as a quick assessment tool to gauge students’ understanding at the end of the lesson.

4. Review Games

Task Cards are perfect to use for scavenger hunts or other whole class games before a test. Split your class into teams and use the Task Cards as your question deck!

5. Round Robin Activity

This is my FAVORITE way to use Task Cards in my class. In fact, I’ve devoted a whole post to this. You can find it here. This activity gives students the chance to work with several classmates and keeps things lively!

6. Small Group Cohorts

Split your students into small groups of 2-4 and give them a stack of Task Cards to work through! Students can learn so much from each other!

7. Test Prep

You can use Task Cards to simulate exam questions and help students practice problem-solving under timed conditions.

8. Rotating Review

Use Task Cards as a quick way to review concepts throughout the year. Maybe you don’t want to do a whole assignment or lesson on a topic; just use a few Task Cards to keep the students’ skills sharp!

9. Extra Credit or Tutoring

Do you have students who need a little extra practice on a skill? Give them a set of Task Cards they can work through at home or during tutoring!

10. Substitute Teacher Activity

Keep a stack of Task Cards in your sub folder to provide a sub with a structured, student-led activity they can oversee while you’re away! Choose a Task Card set that reviews a fundamental skill, and you know your day away will not be wasted! There are always concepts students can use extra practice on, right?

Task Cards are a great way to keep your students engaged , encourage personal involvement, and provide differentiation in your classroom. There are so many possibilities for how they can enhance your lessons.

Here are some Task Card sets to get you started