Differentiated Activities for Intro to Add with Unlike

Differentiated Activities for Adding and Subtracting Fractions look of 5th Grade math page for printable fraction strips, and fraction circles

Restate  While modeling problems, rename vocabulary for adding and subtracting unlike fractions in a more familiar way.  Model the prob 5/6 – ¼. Emphasize and restate the vocabulary used to discuss the problem.  For example, say: We do not have a common denominator. The denominators are different. We need to find a common denominator. This is a multiple that 6 and 4 have in common. Work It Out  Provide the following addition problems for the students:  ¾ = ½ + ¼  7/12 = 1/3 + ¼  5/6 = 1/3 + ¼ + ¼  Remind students that unit fractions are fraction with numerators of 1. The problems show a non unit fraction that is written as the sum of two or more unit fractions.  Students should write as many non-unit fractions as the sum of unit fractions as possible.  At least one denominator in each set of addends must be different; that is, students cannot write sums in which all the unit fractions have the same denominator. Grid Paper  Find a common denominator for 2/3 – 1/6  Outline the same number of vertical squares as the common denominator. Shade 2/3 of the squares.  Find 1/6 of the vertical squares. Place an x over this number of shaded squares. How many shaded squares are left? What fraction of the 6 vertical squares does this represent?  Draw this fraction. How can you show it in simplest form? Fraction Strips  Find ½ - 1/3  Use fraction strips to show ½ and 1/3  Which fraction strips fit exactly across both ½ and 1/3? Think about a common multiple.  Compare 3/6 and 2/6. How much more is 3/6 than 2/6?  Find answer