I use this tool with students who are struggling with adding and subtracting fractions with unlike denominators.  In the beginning this can be an overwhelming task for many students.  I have found that this tool can help those struggling students build their confidence.At this point there are students who need help generating their equivalent fractions, this tool can help.  Students often struggle in keeping their thinking or work organized, again this tool can help.  The work on the tool is also set up to help students see that they need to multiply the numerator and denominator by the same number.  Students will see that the multiplier is 2/2, 5/5, or 7/7.  So the tool also helps reinforce the idea that these fractions are equivalent because they are multiplying them by 1, 2/2 = 1.Laminate the worksheet so students can use it as often as they need it.

One goal of this task is to help students develop comfort and ease with adding fractions with unlike denominators. Another goal is to help them develop fraction number sense by having students decompose fractions. Because the Egyptians represented fractions differently than we do, it can also help students understand that there can be many ways of representing the same number.

This task asks students to find and use two different common denominators to add the given fractions. The purpose of this question is to help students realize that they can use any common denominator to find a solution, not just the least common denominator.

How many cubes will fit? This 3 Act Task by Graham Fletcher begins with a picture of an empty cube and one unifix cube inside it. First students make observations and estimates to begin determining how many unifix cubes would fit in the empty cube. Students can then use images with the dimensions of the cube and unifix cube to determine how many unifix cubes fit into the cube. Students are estimating, visualizing, measuring, adding and multiplying fractions and whole numbers to determine the volume of the cube.

This lesson was used with a tier 3 fourth grade intervention math group to help students understand how to add fractions with like denominators and unlike denominators. It includes worksheets.

The purpose of this task is to present students with a situation where it is natural to add fraction with unlike denominators; it can be used for either assessment or instructional purposes.

The purpose of this instructional task is to motivate a discussion about adding fractions and the meaning of the common denominator. The different parts of the task have students moving back and forth between the abstract representation of the fractions and the meaning of the fractions in the context.

The purpose of this task is to help students realize there are different ways to add mixed numbers and is most appropriate for use in an instructional setting.

The purpose of this task is to have students add fractions with unlike denominators and divide a unit fraction by a whole number.