Students at Riverside begin learning about fractions at an early age. In kindergarten they begin using simple shapes to form larger shapes. They continue to build on these skills throughout the grade levels and end their time at Riverside learning about equivalent fraction, ordering fractions, building fractions, multiplying fractions, and understanding the relationship between decimals and fractions. Here is a fun game that can be played at home with all levels of learners that will help learn about fractions.
Fraction War
Materials: 2 pencils, 1 deck of cards, something to write with and write on
You can build and compare fractions with this math card game. Remove face cards from the deck. When working with younger grades, stick to more common fractions like halves, fourths and thirds, so remove any number cards necessary as well. Before you begin with older students, decide if fractions can be improper or not. If not, and an improper fraction is created, the player loses that round.
Each player needs a pencil. The object of the game is to create the largest fraction. Players put the pencil down on the desk and draw a card. They place it above the pencil if they want it to be the numerator and below the pencil for the denominator. Once placed, it can’t be moved. Players take turns pulling cards from the deck and placing them. When all four cards are placed, the resulting fractions are compared and the largest wins.
