[grade4curlyQ]

I am wondering how others teach equivalent fractions? We are fortunate to have fraction modeling kits - even for the overhead projector so this will be helpful for those students that are visual. I also realize that the kids need to comprehend ratios as prior knowledge. I'd like to work on ratios in the next few days and then practice EF's.
Any help would be wonderful!

[Maryfis76]

I created an interactive fraction number line from 0 to 2 on my wall. I have about 40 fraction cards with different fractions and I have students take turns putting the cards on the number line. They get the chance to see that some of the fractions are equivelent to others.

[grade4curlyQ]

Hi Maryfis76!
The number line idea is new to me. Thanks! I've been looking for additional ideas and or pictures of examples/models on the Internet.

[lynn m]

Try using a multiplication chart!

[chalkdusty]

I like this website for teaching equivalent fractions. Students get the 'visual' that they need for this difficult concept.

http://arcytech.org/java/fractions/fractions.html

Hi, im student teaching right now and the fourth grade teacher I am with taught them to find equivalent fractions by multiplying the original fraction by a number over itself ... or a whole basically...

for example the fraction is 1/2 then you multiply that by 2/2, 3/3, 4/4, 5/5 and so on... and it will give you equivalents.

That is an awesome technique!!!! Thank you so much for posting!

I'm student teaching as well and I have been struggling for a couple days now trying to prepare a lesson that teaches students in the 4th grade how to find equivalent fractions. My students are in special ed. so they do not know how to reduce fractions yet and I had no idea how to teach them how to determine what fractions were equivalent without allowing them to use fraction boards. Multiplying the fraction by a number over itself is a brilliant way to model equivalent fractions! Thanks again! Any other unique tips you have for teaching 4th grade math would be greatly appreciated!

[grade4curlyQ]

Yes Amy! It's that time of year again where this unit is being taught and I'm grateful that you posted this idea!

[Risa]

Thanks again! Any other unique tips you have for teaching 4th grade math would be greatly appreciated!

Hi! This isn't specifically about equivalent fractions, but I just posted some pages: A fraction, decimals, percent table; Fraction vocabulary cards and Prime Number vocabulary cards. Unfortunately, I don't know if you will be able to download them if you are not a member.

Fractions thread
http://www.proteacher.net/discussion...687#post427687

[TeacherCarrie]

My grade level team gave each student a set of circle shaped fractions that they cut out and labeled. They kept these in paper bags and brought them out each day during the unit.

With these, they were able to lay pieces on top of others to see if they were equivalent or not.

I have found a strategy called fraction bars. Use popsicle sticks or construction paper strips and write out the multiples of numbers 1-5 each stick is used for one number....
1| 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
2| 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18
3| 6 9 12 15 18.....

When you line the bars up it shows the equivalent such as 3/6=1/2.

[maggiehgs]

I would highly recommend the resource book Fabulous Fractions from AIMS.

http://wwws.aimsedu.org/aims_store/F...ns-p-1133.html

As the PP mentioned, in it is a WONDERFUL activity that really helps the students to see the equivalent fractions.

I used 10 large craft sticks (popsicle sticks). We lined them all up, long edge to long edge, leaving just a bit of space. We used masking tape, two strips to connect the sticks. (It kind of turns out looking like a ladder, with small spaces.) The first stick, you write out 1-10, spaced evenly. The next stick, 2-20, spaced evenly, matching the numbers on the above stick. (All the first numbers should be lined up, the second numbers on each stick should be lined up, etc.) When you are finished, you have what we called a Math raft. The "raft" can be maneuvered to put different sticks above and below each other, but remaining intact, which is why you want to leave space between each stick. You can use it for equivalent fractions, multiplication, etc. We used it all year long, to be truthful.