Objectives:

Students will understand how to add and subtract fractions with like denominators.
Students will learn the process of simplifying fractions to find a common denominator.
Students will practice adding and subtracting fractions through hands-on activities and problem-solving.

Materials:

Whiteboard/Chalkboard and markers/chalk
Visual aids (fraction representations, illustrations of addition and subtraction fraction problems)
Fraction manipulatives (optional)

Introduction (3 minutes):

Review the concept of fractions, emphasizing the meaning of numerators and denominators.
Introduce the process of adding and subtracting fractions with like denominators.
Highlight the importance of having the same denominator for addition and subtraction.

Theocratic Connections:

N/A

Activity 1 – Adding & Subtracting Fractions (10 minutes):

Explain the process of adding and subtraction fractions with like denominators using examples. (e.g. Addition: 1/4 + 2/4 = ¾) (e.g. Subtraction: 2/4 – 1/4 = ¼)
Model adding fractions on the board, emphasizing the importance of keeping the denominator the same.
Engage students in a guided practice session, adding fractions with like denominators.

Activity 2 – Simplifying Fractions for Addition and Subtraction  (15 minutes):

Introduce the concept of simplifying fractions when denominators don’t match. Explain the process of finding a common denominator by simplifying fractions. For example, if you have the math problem 2/6 + 3/9,  you can’t add them because their denominators are different. To solve this problem, look for the smallest number that both the denominators can be divided by, which is 3.

Then you begin simplifying the fractions so the denominators match. Simplify the biggest fraction first. Simplify 3/9 by dividing both the numerator 3, and the denominator 9 by the number three to make them smaller. Since 3 ÷ 3 = 1 and 9 ÷ 3 = 3, we can simplify the fraction 3/9 into the fraction ⅓.

Next, simplify the fraction 2/6, by first finding a multiple of 2 & 6. The number two is a multiple of 2 & 6, so divide them both by 2. Since 2 ÷ 2 = 1 and 6 ÷ 2 = 3, we can simplify the fraction 2/6 into the fraction ⅓.

Now we have a math problem with 2 simplified fractions and their denominators match. We can solve the simplified problem to get the answer, which is ⅓ + ⅓ = ⅔.

Model simplifying fractions using examples on the board. Engage students in hands-on activities using fraction manipulatives to practice simplifying fractions.

Conclusion (2 minutes):

Summarize key points, emphasizing the importance of having a common denominator for adding and subtracting fractions. Reinforce the concept of simplifying fractions to facilitate mathematical operations.

Assessment: