Session 18: Addition and subtraction of fractions

Introduction  Activity (40 minutes)

Create Fraction Strips: (15 minutes)

• Give each student (or group) colored strips of paper.

Have them fold and cut the strips to show different fractions:

• 1 strip = whole
• Fold in 2 = halves
• Fold in 3 = thirds
• Fold in 4, 6, 8 = corresponding fractions

Label the Strips:

• Students write the fraction name on each part of the strip (e.g., “1/2”, “1/4”)

Explore Equivalents: (15 minutes)

• Students lay out their strips and compare lengths.
• They find and stack strips that are the same total length. For example:
• Place to 1/4 strips over one 1/2 strip to see they are equal.
• Match three 1/6 strips to one 1/2 strip.
  

Worksheet Time (10 minutes)

Main Activity (35 minutes)

Discussion (10 minutes)

Ask: “Can we add 1/2 and 1/3 as they are?” (No)

Show visually with fraction strips that they are different-sized parts.

Explain: “To add or subtract fractions, we need to make the pieces the same size — we need a common denominator.”

Find the Least Common Denominator (6)

Convert: 1/2 = 3/6, 1/3 = 2/6 → 3/6 + 2/6 = 5/6

"Fraction Friends Challenge" (25 minutes)

1. Group students in pairs or small groups.

2. Each group gets two set of fraction cards 

Challenge

• Pick two cards, find a common denominator, and solve.
• Each person solves it on their own first.
• Then compare answers and explain how they got it.
• Use fraction strips to physically represent their answer and confirm visually

Review Questions (5 minutes)

• 1/2 + 2/4 =
• 3/6 -2/6 =

Follow-up Tasks (10 minutes)

1. ½+3/3

2. 4/8+6/4

3. 5/10+3/2

Expected Learning  Outcome:

Knowledge building:

• To understand how to add and subtract like fractions

• Expert in the conversion of unlike fractions to like

• To understand how to add and subtract unlike fractions.
  

Skill Building:

• Collaborate with a peer

• Respectful communication and empathy

• Logical thinking

• Problem solving

Resources 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PTdWkV6p0GqVwmCJTN1luKZ_O5zkiHsb/view?usp=drivesdk

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PXe1puienAKC_nuBOUKZjgR0ccxS1fHW/view?usp=drivesdk

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1P_gwz13eUmlkTsmpfX3seHM2qI1Md7h6/view?usp=drivesdk

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PVE_vjFamnDA4F-6H_5biDMsznDMLoWn/view?usp=drivesdk