Fraction Wits and Wagers

Junior (Age 9 – 12)

Curriculum Goal

Junior: Number Sense

  • Represent fractions from halves to tenths using drawings, tools, and standard fractional notation, and explain the meanings of the denominator and the numerator. 
  • Compare and order fractions from halves to twelfths, including improper fractions and mixed numbers, in various contexts. 
  • Use equivalent fractions to simplify fractions, when appropriate, in various contexts. 

Fraction Goals

  1. Fraction Magnitude
  2. Fraction Ordinality
  3. Fraction Equivalence

Context

  • Children should be familiar with representing fractions on a number line 
Print Lesson
Appendix A
Appendix B

Materials

  • In-person: 
    • A metre-long number line (starting at 0 and ending at 1)
    • A metre stick – mark where fractions lie on stick ahead of gameplay
    • Coloured arrow sticky notes (or something similar)
    • Coloured game pieces
    • Fraction cards (Appendix A)

Lesson

  • The objective of the game is to accurately identify the position of a fraction on a number line.  
  • Each child is assigned a coloured arrow sticky note to indicate their answer and a coloured magnet (or game piece) to wager on the answer they think is closest to the correct answer.  
  • The instructor draws a fraction card from the deck.  
  • Each child takes a turn moving their arrow on the number line to the position that best represents the fraction shown on the card. 
  • After all children have placed their arrow on the number line, each child takes a turn placing their magnet (or game piece) above the arrow they believe to be closest to the target fraction on the number line. This allows children to think critically about the predictions of other children and have a second opportunity to win points.
  • Once all the children have placed their coloured magnets, the instructor uses the metre stick to measure the position of the fraction. 
    • In the online version, the instructor reveals a number line divided into equal parts corresponding to the denominator of the given fraction. 
  • The group determines which arrow is closest to the correct position. 
  • Points are distributed as follows:
    • The child whose arrow is closest to the correct answer receives one point.
    • The children who placed their game pieces above the arrow closest to the fraction each receive one point.  
  • At the end of each round, each child collects their arrows and magnets (or game pieces).  
  • Start the next round by choosing a new fraction card.  
  • The game ends after a certain number of rounds are played or after a certain point total is reached. The instructor can determine the number of rounds or point total. 
  • The child with the most points wins. 
Description of Fraction Wits and Wagers Lesson

Look Fors

  • Are children able to estimate the magnitude of fractions on a number line

  • Are children able to use relative magnitude comparisons to inform their answers? (e.g., breaking up the number line into a half to estimate the position of 1/4).

  • Do children use appropriate mathematical language (e.g., parts, wholes, numerator, denominator, etc.) when discussing fractions?

Print Lesson
Appendix A
Appendix B

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