Expanding: Addition and Subtraction (Fractions 1)

Vocabulary

Fraction

Numerator

Denominator

Proper fraction

Improper fraction

Mixed numbers

Equivalent fractions

Simplify

Factor

Multiple

Hints and Tips

When talking to your child about fractions, always use out of or divided by when talking about the line that seperates the numerator from the denominator, as this helps your child to understand the fraction easier.

For example for the fraction three quarters 3/4; say 3 out of 4 which means use three parts out of the four parts we are dividing by or say 3 divided by 4.

For each context one or the other term will make most sense to your child.

It is useful to support his/her learning by saying both ways when working with fractions.

Here we are encouraging your child to find solutions for him/herself

Accept what your child tells you as possible and use questions to support him/her to think things through

Only offer the true solution if your child appears to have run out of ideas

Essential Prior Knowledge

The meaning of the words:

denominator ( the number under the line in a simple fraction, showing how many parts the whole is cut or shared into)

numerator (the number above the line in a simple fraction showing how many of the parts needed)

What a factor and a multiple are

Activity

Give your child the following calculation and ask him/her to work out the answer.

1/4 + 2/4 = and 2/4 - 1/4 =

Ask your child to work out these calculations, this is a little assessment activity for you to see what he/she actually understands prior to this learning.

Ask your child to explain what he/she is thinking as he/she tries to do the calculations.

You may find your child simply adds the two top numbers (numerators) and the two bottom numbers (denominators) and gives 3/8 for his/her answer and also subtracts the same way

That is ok.

If your child gets an answer right (3/4) say something like, 'brilliant, now we are going to do some work to prove that'

If your child gets an answer wrong say something like, 'brilliant right lets have a look if you are right or not'

Activity 1

Take a small pizza, cake or bar of chocolate etc (we find food is a great motivator!) or circles, rectangles or squares of paper.

Ask your child to cut the object into quarters

Here is an opportunity for you to check on your child's understanding of fractions while he/she does this.

Ask your child to use the pieces of the pizza to do the calculation above.

If your child got the answer to the first question correct: Ask him/her to use the pizza to prove he/she did it right

If your child got the answer to the first question wrong: Ask him/her to use the pizza pieces to work out the answer again. Look back at his/her wrong answer and work out where the calculation went wrong.

Ask your child to write down all the calculations possible from the four quarters

Remind your child that he/she can do addition or subtraction calculations.

Remind your child he/she does not always need to add to or subtract from the whole pizza all the time.

Activity 2

Now ask your child to cut each quarter in half.

What fraction does he/she have now?

Ask your child to write down all the calculations possible from the eight eigths