Grades 3–5 Math Activities

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 fractions. With fractions, the same thing can be named with many different numbers: 1/2 is the same as 2/4, 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.

	Construction paper

	Scissors

	Ruler

	Different items to trace in order to make circles: coffee can, pot, etc.

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 a lot 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:

	Large circle — pizza

	Medium circle — pie or quiche

	Wide rectangle — pan or brownies, corn bread, or cake

	Thinner rectangle — loaf of bread

Have your child take one shape and divide it up in different ways. For example, your child might take the pizza (a large circle), draw lines, and then cut out:

	1/2 of the pizza

	1/4 of the pizza

	1/8 of the pizza

She could then label each of these parts on a whole circle and then compare them. You might ask her such questions as, which of these fractions is the largest? Smallest? Why? How does 1/4 compare to 1/8?

Your child can also find a single fraction for many different shapes. For example, she can cut each shape into sixths and find 1/6, 2/6, and 3/6 for each shape, again drawing each of the fractions on the whole shape.

Encourage your child to focus on cutting things up into different fractions and making all the parts equal. Ask:

	How many lines do you need to draw on a shape to make halves? Fourths?

	Can we make halves in different ways? Thirds? Fourths? Sixths?

	How can we cut up a pizza into twelfths and make sure we make fair shares?

Once your child has cut and labeled different fractions, ask her to do some comparing. Here are some questions to consider:

	How does 1/2 of the pizza compare to 1/2 of the pie and to 1/2 of the loaf of bread? Which is the biggest? Why aren’t they all the same size?

	What are some different ways you can 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)?

Encourage your child to use his understanding of fractions. For example, he might slice the cake or measure flour when you are baking. Help your child apply his understanding of fractions to different situations, such as those involving proportions. You might ask such questions as:

	If you have 20 jelly beans and that is half of the total number of jelly beans, how many are there all together?

	Assume that 1/10 of all the people in the zoo today are watching the seals. If 200 people are watching the seals, how many people are in the zoo?

	If this shirt is marked 1/3 off from the regular $18.00 price, how much will 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.

 Grades 3–5 Math Activities