Fractions Adding and Subtracting Fractions with unlike Denominators

Brooke Kofflin
Melanie Dever
Baker College of Jackson

Unit: Number and Operations

CCSS or State Standards:
CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.5.NF.A.1
Add and subtract fractions with
unlike denominators (including
mixed numbers) by replacing given
fractions with equivalent fractions in
such a way as to produce an
equivalent sum or difference of
fractions with like denominators. For
example, 2/3 + 5/4 = 8/12 + 15/12 =
23/12. (In general, a/b + c/d = (ad +
bc)/bd.)

Lesson Title: Fractions

Grade/Period: 5th
Grade

Resources and Materials:

Interactive Math Notebook
Calculator (not always needed)
Colored Pencils
Tablet Fraction App
Smart Board Guided Activity
Worksheet
Blocks if needed
(some are attached on the back)
Objective:
What students will know and be able to
do stated in student friendly language
(use Blooms and DOK levels for higher
level thinking objectives)

I can: add and subtract fractions that have unlike

denominators.

Essential Question(s):

How do you add fractions with unlike denominators?

Over-arching questions of the lesson

that will indicate student understanding
of concepts/skills What is it you want
the students to learn/know? Why?

How do you subtract fractions with unlike denominators?

How do you pick out the important parts of a fraction story problem?

Essential Word(s):

Fraction a numerical quantity that is not a whole number.

Unlike Denominator two fractions where denominators are not
identical or similar.

Inclusion Activity:
Describe an activity that will ensure
that all students and their voices are
included at the beginning of the lesson.

Students will watch the video Fruit Fractions Episode 3 -- Adding and
subtracting with unlike denominators.
During the video, the student will answer two questions to make sure
they are paying attention. After the video, we will discuss as a class.
LINK TO VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=OXTn5aFRtSQ

Sequence of Activities:
Provide an overview of the flow of the
lesson. Should also include estimates
of pacing/timing.

Students will have their choice of playing Fractions on the iPad an

app that allows students to practice their fractions.
If students would rather they could use the smart board and practice
with an activity I have created.
*Students may have a calculator to see what the fraction would look
like as a fraction.
The goal of this is a warm-up with their fractions.
This would go on for about 20 minutes.
Students will then all complete a worksheet of adding and subtracting
fractions. The worksheet will consist of 6 problems 3 addition, 3
subtraction.
This may take the rest of the math time we have for the day.
Roughly 20 minutes.
The following day students would get out their interactive math
notebooks and complete the page titled adding fractions with unlike
denominators and the page titled subtracting fractions with unlike
denominators. In this they are drawing their fractions as well as
writing them.
Roughly 35 minutes.
After this, students will take a 10 question quiztheir answers will be
submitted through google forms. This will allow the teacher to track
all of the answers right away.
Roughly 30 minutes.
The following day, students will share what they wrote in their
interactive notebook in groups of five. One person in the group must
record the presentation on an iPad. All students must be recorded. This
is just a brief explanation of what they wrote in their notebooks and
why they wrote it in their notebooks.
Roughly 40 minutes.
Journal on experience.
Roughly 10 minutes.

Instructional Strategies:
Research-based strategies to help
students think critically about the

According to Marzanos Instructional Strategies Nonlinguistic

Representation and Cooperative Learning will be used throughout this

concept/skill

lesson.

Assessment:

Formative:

List both formative and summative

assessments that you will use to assess
student understanding. Formative
assessments are given during
instruction (check for understanding),
summative are after completion of
instruction (how will you grade quiz,
test, project, paper, presentation,
demonstration, etc.).

6 Problem Fraction Worksheet

Interactive Math Notebook
From this formative assessment, I will be able to see
students work in worksheet form and project form. I will
have a good idea of what students know and what they
would need more practice on before the summative
assessment.
Summative:
10 Question Quiz Attached to the back.
Answers are placed on google form. Will be sent to all
students.
Video on Interactive Notebook
LINK:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1ra60f0ySbjVj6FLN6c2
cJJRBP7yO4kdBgGoCUHPWwIA/viewform
This is the final assessment before the unit test which will be held in
roughly a week depending on how students have been doing and what
we may need to cover more on.

Differentiation:
Describe who will need additional or
different support during this lesson,
and how you will support them.
Differentiated instruction could include
testing accommodations, preferential
seating, segmented assignments, a
copy of the teachers notes, assignment
notebook, peer tutors, etc.

Students may use pictures or tools to add and subtract fractions.

Example: Blocks 5/6 one color and 1/6 an opposite color. The other
fraction 3/4 one color and 1/4 an opposite color. Students must 5/6 and
3/4 together. The blocks can allow them to align them together to
make sure their denominator is correct.
Students may have their worksheets/problems read aloud to them.
Students may work in small groups 2 to 3 per group.
Students may also watch the lesson on demand that goes along with
this lesson.

Summary, Integration and

Reflection:
List the way that you will bring
students together to integrate and
reflect on their learning from this
lesson

Students will share their interactive math notebook pages with the
class. They will be broken into groups to share and record what they
wrote down in their books. All students should be proud of what they
wrote and should have written different things.

Initial plans could also contain the following:

Accessing Prior Knowledge: What data do you have about what the students already
know? What do they need to know before they can learn this new information? What do
the students know about this topic prior to instruction? How will you engage the
students, given what they already know about the subject?
Students should already know what a fraction is and how to add and subtract fractions
with like denominators. They should also have a good understanding of least common
multiple.
Anticipatory Set: What will you do to grab the students attention at the start of the
lesson?
Students will watch the video Fruit Fractions Episode 3 -- Adding and subtracting with
unlike denominators to grab their attention.
Wrap-up Activity and Closure: How will you bring your lesson to an end and tie it to
previously learned material? This is the summary at the end of the lesson. What did they
learn?
Students will end the lesson by sharing what they wrote in their interactive math
notebook to their groups.
After we are all back together, I will ask students how to compares the lesson before
(adding and subtracting fractions with like denominators). As a group, we will answer five
different questions adding and subtracting fractions (may contain like and or unlike
denominators).
Students will write in a journal at the end of each lesson expressing their feelings
towards the lesson and what they have learned.
Homework/ Independent Practice: Based on what they learned in class, what could
they do on their own to practice the skill they learned today? Examples include practice
problems, an investigation, a game, or any other activity to apply what they just learned.
Students can have their parents cut something into 3/6 and something else into 3/9.
Then add them together writing down their steps to solve the problem.
They may bring back to the class and share.
Adaptations: List alternative plans you will make during your lesson as you consider
student strengths, challenges, and possible misunderstandings.
More challenging fractions.
Simpler fractions
Help with Least Common Multiple.

Remediation: What else can you do/have prepared to do with the students who did not
understand the information you presented?
Work with those students who did poorly on the quiz individually. As a teacher, it is
important to see where your students struggle.
They may create their own adding and subtracting fractions worksheet must include an
answer key.
They may also check out the interactive powerpoint that goes along with this lesson.
Enrichment: What else can you do/ have prepared for the student who totally
understood what you taught and needs to take it a step further and extend the
information taught?
Students may use the link below to play the game comparing fractions.
LINKS:
https://www.splashmath.com/math-skills/fifth-grade/fractions/add-fractions?replace_all=1
https://www.splashmath.com/math-skills/fifth-grade/fractions/subtract-fractions--2
Changes to Future Lessons: Use your imagination- what do you think might be places
in this lesson you might want to change/ improve/ expand on in the future?
Instead of having students doing a worksheet to show their learning of adding and
subtracting fractions with unlike denominators actually have manipulatives for them to
see the difference in fractions. This could be added in or used as a replacement.

Fractions Adding and Subtracting Fractions with unlike

Denominators: WORKSHEET
NAME:_________________________________________________
DATE:________________________

1.

3 2
+
5 4

2.

2 1
+
3 6

3.

5 3
+
6 12

4.

3 6

4 10

5.

6.

6 1

8 4

6 1

9 3

Fractions Adding and Subtracting Fractions with unlike

Denominators: Video Questions

Name:________________________________________________
Date:______________________________

1.During the video what do they multiply

1
6

by and

4
5

to

make them have common denominators? Please EXPLAIN

your answers. One-word answers will not receive credit.
_______________________________________________________________
_____________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
2
2
2.During the video what do they multiply 3 by and 5 to
make them have common denominators? Please EXPLAIN
your answers. One-word answers will not receive credit.
_______________________________________________________________
_____________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

Fractions Adding and Subtracting Fractions with

unlike Denominators: QUIZ
NAME:_________________________________
DATE:___________________
1.

3 1
+
4 5

2.

2 4
+
5 10

3.

3 2
+
4 3

4.

4 2
+
5 3

5.

1 1
+
2 4

6.

1 1

2 3

7.

2 1

10 5

8.

3 1

4 5

9.

6 1

10 3

10.

7 1

10 3

Fractions Adding and Subtracting Fractions with unlike

Denominators: WORKSHEET
NAME: ANSWER KEY

1.

3 2
+
5 4

2.

2 1
+
3 6

3.

5 3
+
6 12

DATE:________________________

22
20

4.

3 6

4 10

3
20

5
6

5.

6 1

9 3

3 1

9 3

6.

6 1

8 4

13
12

4 1

8 2

Fractions Adding and Subtracting Fractions with unlike

Denominators: Video Questions

Name: ANSWER KEY

Date:______________________________

1. During the video what do they multiply

1
6

by and

4
5

to

make them have common denominators? Please EXPLAIN

your answers. One-word answers will not receive credit.
They multiply 1/6 by 5 top and bottom to get 5/30. They
multiply 4/5 by 6 top and bottom to get 24/30.
During the video what do they multiply

2
3

by and

2
5

to

make them have common denominators? Please EXPLAIN

your answers. One-word answers will not receive credit.
They multiply 2/3 by 5 top and bottom to get 10/15. They
multiple 2/5 by 3 top and bottom to get 6/15.

Fractions Adding and Subtracting Fractions with

unlike Denominators: QUIZ
NAME:_________________________________
DATE:___________________
1.

3 1
+
4 5

2.

2 4
+
5 10

3.

3 2
+
4 3

17
12

4.

4 2
+
5 3

22
15

5.

1 1
+
2 4

2 1

4 2

6.

1 1

2 3

1
6

7.

2 1

10 5

8.

3 1

4 5

9.

6 1

10 3

19
20

8 4

10 5

=0

11
20

8
4

30 15

10.

7 1

10 3

11
30