This is a collection of fraction review games and practice activities used in my classroom. The following games target equivalent fractions, simplifying fractions, and adding and subtracting like and unlike fractions.
Topic: Equivalent Fractions / Game: Triplets
In this game, students must group sets of equivalent fractions together. As the levels advance, the equivalent fractions get more difficult. After reviewing this concept in class, I provide students with a set amount of time to practice finding equivalent fractions by playing this game. Students are able to work at their own pace and receive immediate feedback. I also like that a visual is provided in each fraction set.
Topic: Converting Mixed Numbers to Improper Fractions / Practice Problems
Before going to the Math-Man game below, I use this online tool on Math Playground. This tool allows students to practice converting mixed numbers to improper fractions while also reinforcing simplest form. Students work their way through a number of problems and receive immediate feedback after clicking the “check” button.
Topic: Converting Improper Fractions to Mixed Numbers / Practice Problems
Same as above, except students practice converting improper fractions to mixed numbers. A review with an example and a “how-to” is provided before starting. Like the practice activity above, this activity reinforces simplest form as well. Students receive 2 points for answers given in simplest form and 1 point for correct answers that are not reduced.
Topic: Converting Mixed Numbers to Improper Fractions / Game: Math-Man
Your students will love this game. Math-Man is played like Pac-Man, except the ghosts contain improper fractions on them, and students must find and eat the ghost that matches the mixed number given. Two versions of the game are available. The practice version allows students to play the game without moving ghosts. The other version is exactly the same, but the ghosts move around (this requires that students are able to solve problems quicker). If you are just introducing the concept, I definitely recommend using the practice version so students have time to solve it and can benefit from the math practice.
Topic: Comparing Fractions / Practice Problems
This is another online tool on Math Playground. This one allows students to practice comparing fractions. Students work their way through a number of problems and receive immediate feedback after clicking the “check” button. A “how-to” review with step by step directions is included for review prior to the start. If students click “restart” after completing all problems, they will be given a new set to practice.
Topic: Ordering Fractions / Game: Balloon Pop
This is a fun and short game that reinforces comparing fractions. In this game, each balloon contains a fraction and students must pop the balloons in order from smallest to largest. If students select a balloon out of order, a buzzer will sound and they will be able to try again. The only bummer about this game is that there isn’t an option to remove the images, so I have to encourage my students to look at the fraction and not default to looking at the images to order them. I ask my students to write the order of each set of fractions down on paper.
Topic: Ordering Fractions / Game: Fractions Testing Room
This is one of BBC’s Bitesize activities. Students are given a set of five fractions that must be put in order from least to greatest on the shelf. There is an optional testing room that students can visit to fill visual fraction test tubes to help them compare two fractions. When students click “done”, they receive immediate feedback. If the answer is correct, they will advance to the next level to try ordering a more difficult fraction set. If fractions are out of order, they will be told so and will have the opportunity to give it another try. There is an embed code for this practice activity so you can put it right on your blog or website.
Topic: Adding Unlike Fractions / Practice
In this activity, students practice adding unlike fractions. This program is similar to the other Math Playground practice acitivities litsted above. Students complete a set of ten problems and receive feedback as they check them along the way. An example and a “how to” with step by step directions is included for review before the start of the game. Students can click “restart” at the end to try a second set of addition practice problems. I love these programs because they allow students to work at their own pace, and the immediate feedback is a huge bonus. The online feedback is sufficient for most students. As a result, I’m able to give attention to students who need further instruction.
Topic: Greatest Common Factor and Least Common Multiple / Game: Fruit Splat
Even though my students learn about GCF in our first unit, I like to spiral it back in here. I have my students practice identifying greatest common factors, as extra practice enables students to simplify fractions in fewer steps. Click here to play the same game with least common multiples. We review LCM here as well, as it’s a helpful review before adding unlike fractions.
Topic: Adding Like and Unlike Fractions / Game: Fruit Splat
In this game, students answer fraction addition problems by clicking on the fruit that contains the answer. There are six different versions of this game. Students can practice adding two like fractions, adding three like fractions, or adding unlike fractions. Each version also has an option to require answers in simplest form. For the more competitive student wanting a challenge, this game can be played in timed mode.
Topic: Adding Like and Unlike Fractions / Game: Math-Man
This game is the same as the other Improper Fraction Math-Man posted above. Now, students can practicing adding unlike fractions by playing the same game. This is a student favorite, so it’s great that it’s available to practice adding fractions, too! In 4th grade you may like to use the version that requires students to add like fractions only.
Do you have any go-to games that target these concepts? Share them in the comments below.