Adding fractions

The first lesson on adding fractions built upon previous work on fractions greater than one where children used a variety of methods to convert improper fractions to mixed numbers, including Numicon, drawing and number lines.

The lesson began with big sheets on the tables and fractions to add such as 4/6 + 5/6 etc. This was carried out in partners and children could use any method of their choice. It was a totally open activity to begin as I wanted to see what the children came up with.

Then I started to introduce a context and gave the example with four methods. At this point you could draw attention to any other effective methods on the big sheets around the room, or any similar ways the children came up with to the ways on the PDF pages 1 and 2.

The less able children may just write the improper fraction whereas the others should be able to do both.

The children who find it difficult may need lots more support at using the concrete resources whereas the more able may have a more tricky version of the sheet above - for instance, you might not give them any of the images and encourage them to work out what to draw themselves to work it out.

As an extension, the children could come up with their own contexts and questions.