The following resource has been kindly shared on the TES Maths website. It is available to download for free by registering.

What is it?

Another simple idea this week, but one that is certainly both engaging and effective. Students get together in pairs to play a game of Connect 4, but with a difference! They only get to cross off a square if they can make it by adding together two of the fractions form a fixed selection. Students get to practise a crucial fundamental skill, but in an engaging, competitive environment. And there is potential to do more with this resource…

How can it be used?

As it stands, this resource can certainly be used to consolidate students’ adding fractions skills. But once students have mastered that, we can ask them probing questions to extend their knowledge further. Things like: “which squares were the easiest/hardest to cross off, and why?”, “How many different ways can you get 1?, How about 1/2?” “What is the smallest fraction you can get? How about the largest?” “What unit fractions can you get?” etc. Add to that the fact that with a bit of modification this resource could be used to practise subtracting, multiplying and dividing fractions, or indeed many other mathematical topics, and you have quite a resource on your hands!

Thank you for sharing!

Craig Barton

Download Adding Fractions 4 in a line

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