Fractions are always one of those tricky skills that need lots of strong instruction, spiral review, and re-teaching/remediation. I always found that frontloading 3rd and 4th grade fractions review helped my 5th graders master grade level skills. This post will share a free set of fraction task cards that you can use in 3rd-5th grade (depending on your needs - more ... Read More
Free Math Tools for K-5
Being a classroom teacher for seven years taught me the importance of having tools or references for my student to use while they were working independently or in small groups. In the regular classroom, those tools were often anchor charts and students' interactive notebooks. However, after spending a few years in support positions where I "pushed in" or "pulled out" to ... Read More
Fraction Word Problems | Multiplying and Dividing Fractions
Word problems + fractions = a lot of struggle for many students. Especially when you throw in new concepts like multiplying and dividing fractions. Those fraction word problems are always pretty tricky for my students. The first year that I taught multiplying and dividing fractions, I really had to spend some time breaking down the concepts myself in order to best help my ... Read More
Free 4th Grade Fractions Pre-Assessment and Checklist
Teaching 4th grade fractions is one of my favorite math skills to teach, but it can get tricky. In my opinion, the 4th grade fraction skills are pivotal for students' success in later grades with more advanced fraction skills. Unfortunately, many 4th grade fraction skills can be taught with tricks that don't build necessarily conceptual understanding, which can really ... Read More
Word Problem Strategies : Analyzing Word Problems with Free Organizers/Mats
Word problems used to be the bane of my existence as a new teacher. Thankfully, I learned new strategies and resources to help me implement and teach word problem strategies all year. To be honest, teaching word problems all year was the ONE thing that I did that had the greatest impact (if you are interested in more information about word problems and how I teach them, ... Read More
4 Ways to Teach Students to Make Common Denominators
Teaching students to add and subtract fractions can get very tiresome quickly. All of the little opportunities for errors with making equivalent fractions, adding/subtracting, and just when they think they are done...boom...they may have to convert or simplify the answer. It can definitely get tedious quickly. One area that I have almost perfected (because nothing is ... Read More
Free Fraction Activities
Fractions are one of those math topics that my students consistently need practice in. I try to mix up the fraction activities and printables my students complete to keep them engaged and working hard. This post will share some free fraction math printables that are perfect for extra practice and math centers. (Click here to read more about how I teach math here and how I ... Read More
Comparing Fractions Activity with Brownies
One of my goals as a teacher is to make fractions more engaging and relatable to my students. One of the easiest ways I have found to do this is through food. I am fortunate to have always worked in schools that allow food as part of lessons and my students love it. On this post, I will share a comparing fractions activity using brownies that is perfect for 4th grade ... Read More
Basketball Fraction Review for 4th and 5th Grade
Fractions are by far one of the most difficult skills in 4th and 5th grade. There are so many fraction skills and my students easily get confused trying to remember all of them. One way I have found that helps is to consistently provide my students with engaging fraction review to help them review all of the fraction skills and keep them straight in their minds. On this ... Read More
Multiplying Fractions and Whole Numbers: Two Types of Problems
Confession: I had to relearn 4th and 5th grade math conceptually in order to best teach and support my students. I learned that when I taught algorithms and tricks without the foundation of a conceptual understanding, it really affected my students' mathematical understandings and how they solved word problems. When my students didn't have a conceptual understanding of ... Read More
Fraction Mats: Adding and Subtracting Fractions and Mixed Numbers
Fractions...otherwise known as the trickiest math concept known to man. Well, I may be exaggerating, but fractions certainly are not your average 5th grader's favorite math concept. Nor are they typically a teacher's favorite unit to teach. However, armed with some activities, tools, and tricks, fractions really don't have to be all that bad. This post will share ... Read More
Subtracting Mixed Numbers with Regrouping (Using Manipulatives)
Subtracting mixed numbers with regrouping can be super tricky for some (or most) students. There are many ways to teach subtracting mixed numbers with regrouping using manipulatives that may help your students conceptualize the process. On this post, Rachel from You've Got This Math will share three of her favorite ways to teach subtracting mixed numbers when borrowing is ... Read More
