Fraction Explorer

Age group
  • Junior/Intermediate (Age 9 to 12)

Curriculum Goal

Junior: Number Sense

  • Compare and order fractions from halves to twelfths, including improper fractions and mixed numbers, in various contexts.
  • Represent fractions from halves to tenths using drawings, tools, and standard fractional notation, and explain the meanings of the denominator and the numerator. 
Related Links
Context
  • Two to five students and a teacher, around a table, on a carpet or on a video conference call.
  • Children should be familiar with ordering numbers and comparing fractions. 
Materials
In-person version
  • Set of fraction cards ()
    • Cards must be printed double-sided so that the symbolic representation of the fraction appears on the back of its matching visual model. Ensure the fronts and backs match exactly so each fraction’s numeric form corresponds with its visual representation.
  • Instructional slides (optional) () 
Online version
  • Instructional slides ()
  • - Level 1: Denominators of 8
  • - Level 2: Denominators of 2, 4
  • - Level 3: Denominators of 2, 4, 8
  • - Level 4: Denominators of 3, 6
  • - Level 5: Denominators of 2, 3, 4, 6, 8
  • Children practice ordering fractions based on their magnitude.
  • The objective of the game is for children to work together and order the fractions from smallest to largest.
  • Each group will have a dealer: the instructor or a student. The dealer deals six cards to the top of the gameboard. Children need to fill the five empty spots at the bottom of the gameboard, known as the path.
  • Remind the children that the smallest fraction card belongs in the leftmost spot and the biggest fraction card belongs in the rightmost spot.
  • The first child chooses one card from the gameboard to place in an empty spot on the path.
    • If they are having difficulty choosing their card, the instructor can encourage them to place the smallest or largest card on the path.
  • One at a time, the children take turns taking one of two actions:
    • 1) Choose a card from the gameboard and place it in an empty spot on the path.
    • 2) Swap the position of one of the cards already on the path if they believe it belongs in a different place on the path.
  • Once a child places a card in the last unfilled spot on the path, every child has one final turn to swap the position of an existing card. If they feel the path is accurate, they can skip their turn.
  • The dealer flips the cards in the path over to reveal the fraction strips on the back.
  • If the children order their cards correctly, their streak increases by one.
  • Encourage children to try and achieve the streak goal for that level.
    • Otherwise, if the streak is broken, the instructor works with the children to rearrange the fraction cards, using the visual representations of the fractions to determine the correct order.
  • Change the order of play so that a new child chooses the first card.
  • If playing without instructor, change dealer so that a new child deals the cards.
  • There are five different levels for this game.
    • Level 1: Fraction cards with denominators of 8.
    • Level 2: Fraction cards with denominators of 2 and 4.
    • Level 3: Fraction cards with denominators of 2, 4, and 8.
    • Level 4: Fraction cards with denominators of 3 and 6.
    • Level 5: Fraction cards with denominators from 2 to 8. 

Look Fors

  • Can children recognize the magnitude of fractions relative to other fractions to correctly order the cards? 
  • Do children use the concept of equivalent fractions to compare fractions to each other? 
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