Fractions- How Low Can You Go?

Designed by: Tammy Hester     School: Gibbes Middle

Core Curriculum:  Write fraction in lowest terms.  (7NR3 - 2)

South Carolina Curriculum Standards: I. Number and Numeration Systems C.2.

Overview: Students should develop an understanding of how to put fractions in lowest terms and be able to determine if a fraction is in lowest terms.

Focus Question: If Brad ate half of the pizza and it was divided into 8 pieces how many pieces would he have eaten?

Time Frame: One 50-minute period.

Resources:
computer

Website: http://www.webmath.com/

Website: http://www.aplusmath.com

Large screen TV

AV Box

Assessment: Students will complete a test of 20 problems putting fractions in lowest terms. Assessment is provided in the lesson plan.

Day One:

Activity One:

The teacher will introduce with a five minute warm up how to simplify fractions. The teacher will call on students to see how much they may already know about simplifying. The teacher may use the following examples:

Have students go the website http://www.webmath.com/

Scan down to General Math.

Go to Fractions.

Click on Reduce.

Using the big screen TV the teacher should do a guided practice with several problems to make sure the students are grasping the concept. Since this website shows two ways to simplify a fraction make sure you go over both ways with the students. You may ask students to tell you which way they prefer and why?

Then have the students practice with at least ten different fractions of their choice. The teacher should monitor students and be available if students need any assistance.

This site shows two ways to simplify fractions students should examine each way and put an explanation in their notebooks.

Activity Two

The teacher should explain that the students will be visiting an additional website to reinforce what they have already learned about simplifying fraction. Let the students know that they will be able to create a worksheet for their peers to complete.

Students should go to website http://www.aplusmath.com.

Click on Flashcards.

Click on Reducing Fractions.

Tell the students to do 20 problems and then show you their score. If students miss more than 4 problems have them try some more as you monitor their input.

Next have the students go to "Worksheets".

Click on Fractions

Click on Reducing fractions.

Have students create a worksheet, print it and get the answers. Students may choose any level of difficulty except "very hard". Students must choose only 10 problems. Students can then trade worksheets with a classmate, have the classmate do their worksheet and check. The worksheets should also be turned in to the teacher.

Activity Three

You may need to carry this over for a second day. Time of activities could depend on the number of computers available.

Assessment of Reducing Fractions: Quiz provided. Problems are worth 5 points each.

Name________________________Date______________ Period_____

Reducing Fractions Assessment

Simplify fractions to lowest terms using either method you learned from the website.