It's a well-known fact that kids love playing games, from video games to sports games. One of the major draws for them is the competitive nature of games and the sheer fun. But how can you get that love and enthusiasm for games into the classroom? By playing games, of course! Here is a list of just some of the best fraction games for students. These are not just any games but educational games that have the specific purpose of encouraging and supporting your students on their math journey.
1. Bump!
This fun game works as an excellent introduction to developing an understanding of fractions. Your students will need to use their mental math skills to identify different basic fractions and eventually win the game.
Try it here: Math Geek Mama
2. Firepit Fractions
It's getting hot in here! In this game, your students can practice their knowledge of fractions by matching the correct fraction of foods for smores. Adjust this game for different levels, from proper fractions to those that are more challenging.
Play it now: The Curriculum Corner
3. Battle My Math Ship
Another fast-paced unique fractions game, this time involving the classic game Battleships - but with a twist! Your students will need to use their fraction skills to multiply unit fractions and attack their partner's ships. You can play it digitally or on paper.
Check it out: Teachers Pay Teachers
4. Musical plate fractions
This exciting game combines a collection of fractions skills. Your kids will be able to practice fractions by grabbing the plate with the correct fraction when the music stops. Try adding in some harder plates, like decimals to fractions, to challenge your advanced students. They will love it!
Read more: E is for Explorer
5. Fraction Hopscotch
This one is great for a review at the end of a fractions unit. Your students will love using everything they have learned about fractions, including operations and simplifying fractions, to hit their mark.
Check it out: Capturing Classroom Ideas
6. Equivalent Fraction Bingo
One of the best parts of this game is that you can easily print it out and create an offline version, making it a valuable teaching tool. Your kids will test their ability to identify equivalent fraction quantities, and you can challenge them to convert fractions into decimals, too.
See it here: Twinkl
7. Fractionopoly
This game will really show off your creativity with fraction games. It will test your students' skills with simplifying fractions to help hold on to the most property. They'll need to understand how to change fractions and work together to design the monopoly board.
Read more: Mathnspire
8. Basketball fraction review
This game involves playing basketball to understand fractions. Students shoot a mini-basketball into a mini hoop and record their goals and misses. You can customize it as you please to include more basic fraction identification or more complex fraction equivalents.
Check it out: Jennifer Findley
9. Connect Four Fractions
This game is so much fun! Your students will need to understand fraction concepts to place them in the right slot to make fractions. You can make some printable fraction cards, and the first person to build that fraction wins.
Learn more: Brown Bag Teacher
10. Spoon-o! (Fraction UNO)
This is a classic activity like the card game UNO. Students make a whole with the cards in their hands. They need to collect four wholes before they can grab a spoon. The last person without a spoon is out.
Play it here: Soft Schools
11. Fraction War
The best part of this activity is that it simply requires a deck of cards and some pencils or anything else that can act as the fraction line. You can customize it for different levels of difficulty, ranging from basic fractions to more complex fractions, or even include things like the multiplication of fractions and other operations.
See it here: Math File Folder Games
12. Domino War
This is a set of games that are perfect for teaching fractions. All of these games should be played in pairs so that your students engage in their learning. It is ideal for fractions in the classroom.
Try it here: Upper Elementary Snapshots
13. Cover!
Math games that have two versions are the best! Students need to cover their whole completely using the dice. The idea is to cover a whole with your fractions to be the winner. It's excellent for helping students to visualize the size of fractions.
14. Lego Fraction War
Kids love hands-on games. These lego games involve students in the learning process through hands-on building. It's sure to keep your kids involved and in charge of their learning. There are five games to choose from.
Check it out: J4DANIELSMOM
15. Equivalent Fractions Superheroes
Have some creativity with fractions in this silly game. Your students are tasked with solving questions with fractions to help their favorite superheroes work their way around the board. It's certainly a challenge!
Play it here: Twinkl
16. Mixed-Up Kings
You'll want to keep that deck of cards handy for this excellent activity. Your students will compete against one another as they convert mixed numbers to improper fractions. Great for making those fraction lessons a little more competitive!
Check it out: Teachers Pay Teachers
17. Domino Fractions
It might be simple in theory, but this game provides an excellent opportunity for students to show off their understanding of equivalent fractions by turning over the correct answers. You can try making your physical version of this for some offline learning, too.
Learn more: Turtle Diary
18. Bowling for Fractions
Your students will need to keep score using fractions and score the most points to In. To do this, they will need to apply their fraction knowledge. With each answer they get correct, the closer they will get to win!
Read more: Miss Giraffes First Grade
19. Interactive Fractions Bingo
This charming game is perfect in print or digitally. Your students will prove they understand the subtraction of fractions with different levels, ranging from simple fractions to mixed fractions. It's undoubtedly very interactive and will involve the entire class!
Check it out: Math in the Middle
20. Croc Board Game
This activity aims to help the crocodile eat as many frogs as possible by comparing fractions. Your students will also need to use their awareness of symbols like "<", ">", and "=" to show their understanding.
See it here: Futuristic Math
Using each of these games in your classroom is a surefire way to get your students interested in fractions and will certainly help them understand some of its more challenging aspects. They will turn fraction fiasco into fraction fun!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you teach adding fractions?
Try using one of the numerous games above to help your students to understand this difficult skill. These games present adding, subtracting, and multiplying fractions in a way that is both fun and accessible for all students to be engaged. Once you teach your child how to add fractions, they will find these other operations to be a lot easier to understand and do them for themselves.
Why do students struggle with fractions?
Many of the problems that students have with fractions are primarily due to their struggles with visualizing them. Some students find it hard to "see" fractions as being parts of a whole. To help with this, you can try using the tried and tested pizza example, or you can opt for something a little different, like a watermelon. Any food that you can divide equally will help your students with visualizing and understanding fractions.
How do you teach and simplify fractions?
Like the answer posted above, you should try to use realia in your lessons to teach fractions. If your students have something that they can physically see is divided into segments, this will help them understand fractions as "parts" of a number. In terms of simplifying fractions, you need first to ensure that your kids grasp the notion of fractions as a whole, then work out how to break these fractions down into their essential elements.
How can I practice fractions at home?
There are many ways that you can do this! You can try using some of the games above to bring learning from the classroom into your home. You could even try using some props and showing your students how to divide them into fractions. Try asking your student's teacher if there are any areas they want your child to focus on specifically. Having a conversation is the best way to find out improvements!
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