Flexible Fraction Task

I love activities that are flexible and repeatable, unlike worksheets that are pretty much one-and-done. In a previous post, I shared a task for numbers within 20 that uses dice to randomize both the number and the task students complete with that number—for example, using the number 18 and showing it with coins.

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The activity uses two standard dice. On the recording sheet, the dice are shown in two different colors, but that’s just for clarity—not a requirement. One roll tells students which fraction to use, and the other tells them what task to complete with that fraction.

For example, if a student rolls a 4 and a 3, the 4 tells them to look in the first column and use the fraction 2/8. The 3 tells them to look in the second column and use that fraction in an inequality, such as writing 2/8 < 1/2 or 2/8 > 1/16. Students then roll again to generate a new fraction and a new task, continuing for as long as you’d like.

 For accountability, have students record their thinking in a math journal or on a blank sheet of paper. Pairing students also works well and encourages meaningful mathematical discussions as they explain and compare their reasoning.

The fraction and whole number versions of this activity, along with a blank version so you can create your own, are part of a free activity sampler with SIX K-5 math activities that you can download using this link.

I hope you find these resources useful! Please share this post with others who might be interested.