Adding Jenga in a small group center is one of my favorite ways to liven up ordinary review or task cards. Jenga is extremely versatile, and even the plain ones can be used with any set of task cards (read about playing Jenga this way for test prep here). This post will specifically share how to use the colored sets to review fractions (4th and 5th grade fractions games included in the free download).
Related: Click here to see Decimals Review with Jenga.
Amazon affiliate links included in this post if you wish to purchase the Jenga game mentioned.
Fraction Game Materials:
To have your students play the game, you will need:
Colored Jenga Blocks (one per small group) —> I buy the pre-colored ones from Amazon here.
Fraction Game Printables for Your Specific Grade Level —> Available for free at the end of this post.
Basic Directions for Playing:
The gist of the game is that students will select fraction cards, and then, depending on the color of the block they move, they will complete a different task with the fraction shown on the card.
Here are the specific student directions:
Directions: Select a fraction card. Choose a block to remove. Complete the task that matches the color of the block that you want to remove with the fraction on the card. Repeat with each turn.
And here are the tasks represented by each color:
4th Grade Version:
Purple: Compare the fraction to ½.
Blue: Write three fractions equivalent to the fraction.
Green: Decompose the fraction into an addition equation.
Yellow: Add the fraction to itself.
Pink: Subtract the fraction from 2.
Red: Multiply the fraction by 2.
5th Grade Version:
Purple: Compare the fraction to ½.
Blue: Write three fractions equivalent to the fraction.
Green: Select another fraction and find the difference between the two fractions.
Yellow: Select another fraction and find the sum of the two fractions.
Pink: Multiply the fraction by 3.
Red: Multiply the fraction by ½.
Tips for Playing the Jenga Fraction Game:
As the teacher, you have a few options or additional rules you can implement for accountability and classroom management. Here are some tips I recommend considering.
Tip 1: Have all of the students do the work together and then move their pieces.
The worst thing that can happen (spoken from experience) is to have one student working while the others sit by and watch. To avoid this, I have all of the students choose their fraction cards, determine what color blocks they will move (by choosing or rolling the dice included with the game), and then complete the required tasks at the same time.
After all of the students have completed their required tasks, they can then each take turns moving their piece. Then, they will repeat these steps with a new fraction card, a new color, and a new task. This will keep the game moving quickly and keep all the students engaged and on-task, which will diminish behavior problems.
Tip 2: Keep your groups relatively small.
I recommend no more than four students at a time working with a Jenga game. I know the Jenga games can be quite expensive to try and buy several at a time, so I recommend starting this out in a math center or even at your teacher group. Then, you can add on games as your budget allows. Another tip is to ask the school or PTO to pay for a few games. Feel free to link to this blog post or any of my other Jenga blog posts in your request.
Tip 3: For added accountability, have the students record their work.
You may find that some of your students are more interested in the Jenga game than the work itself. To try and minimize this, I have my students record their work on the recording sheet included in the download. A blank piece of paper would work fine, too.
How Can I Get this Jenga Fraction Game for FREE?
Click here to download the fraction game printables.
Related Posts:
How to Use Jenga for Test Prep
FREE Decimal Review Jenga Game
This fraction game would make a great whole-group game (if you have multiple sets of the Jenga blocks). However, it also works great as a math center. If you need more math centers for 4th or 5th grade, click here to see my go-to math centers and grab free samples.
Jennifer,
I just wanted to thank you for all the free and very helpful resources. I love all the ideas and the games look great. I am excited to begin using them with my students when we start back. You are a huge blessing to our fellow educators. Will look forward to checking out your TeachersPayTeachers site. Thanks again so much!!