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 Grade 4 Math Activities
Finding Fractions
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Numbers are used in many different ways. We use them to count, order, and even to name.
(For example, numbers in license plates, identification cards, and bus routes usually don’t
give a value or order — they are just names.) However, one of the less appreciated
but very fascinating uses of numbers is in fractions. With fractions, the same thing can be
named with many different numbers: 1
2 is the same as
24
, which is the same as 4
8, and so on. This
activity can help your child gain a firmer understanding of the fabulous features of fractions.
Here's what you need:
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| Construction paper |
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| Scissors |
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| Ruler |
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| Different items to trace in order to make circles: coffee can, pot, etc. |
Here's what you do:
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Begin the activity by making many different shapes with your child. It’s helpful
to have at least two of every shape, but you can also make several of the same shape. It’s
also a good idea to have at least a few shapes of varied sizes so that your child can see
how the same fraction in different shapes can look different. You can let each shape stand
for a particular thing that can be cut into equal parts. For example, you might try some of
these:
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| Large circle — pizza |
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| Medium circle — pie or quiche |
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| Wide rectangle — pan or brownies, corn bread, or cake |
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| Thinner rectangle — loaf of bread |
Have your child take one shape and divide it in different ways. For example, your child
might take the pizza (a large circle), draw lines, and then cut out:
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12
of the pizza |
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14
of the pizza |
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18
of the pizza |
He could then label each of these parts on a whole circle and then compare them. You might
ask him such questions as, which of these fractions is the largest? Smallest? Why? How does
14
compare to 1
8?
Your child can also choose a single fraction and find it for many different shapes. For
example, he can cut each shape into sixths and find 1
6,
2
6, and
36
for each shape, again drawing each of the fractions on the whole shape.
Encourage your child to focus on cutting things into different fractions and making all
the parts equal. Ask:
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| How many lines do you need to draw on a shape to make halves? Fourths? |
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| Can we make halves in different ways? Thirds? Fourths? Sixths? |
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| How can we cut up a pizza into twelfths and make sure we make fair shares? |
Once your child has cut and labeled for different fractions, ask him to do some comparing.
Here are some questions to consider:
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| How does
12
of the pizza compare to 1
2 of the pie and
to
12
of the loaf of bread? Which is the biggest? Why aren’t they all the
same size? |
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| What are some different ways to make up one whole loaf of bread
using fraction pieces? How many thirds are needed? How many eighths are needed? Can you find
a way to make up the whole loaf using only different fractions (no two of the same size)? |
Keep going...
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Encourage your child to use his understanding of fractions in applicable situations. For
example, he might slice the cake or measure flour when baking. Help your child apply his understanding
of fractions to different situations, such as those involving proportions. You might ask such
questions as,
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| If 20 jelly beans is half of the total number of jelly beans, how many are there
all together? |
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| If
110
of the people in the zoo are watching the seals and there
are 200 people watching the seals, how many people are in the zoo? |
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| If this shirt is marked 1
3 off the regular
$18.00 price, how much does it cost? |
Help your child draw pictures to answer these questions. Understanding fractions is critical
for a strong math foundation, which your child will rely on for years to come.
Grade 4 Math Activities
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