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NOT Your Typical Flash Cards: Fraction Flash!

 

Hi All,

 


FRACTION FLASH! Not Your Typical Flash Cards!

 

This simple game was designed for comparing fractions and building fraction number sense, but it can be used with any kind of numbers; whole numbers, decimals, negative numbers, exponents, or even a mix.


Game:

 

1. Give each student a set of ten blank index cards. (or preprint number cards on a sheet of paper and have students glue this on to a piece of card stock and cut them out.)


2. Choose numbers you want to work on and have students copy them on to their cards. A good beginning set of numbers for fraction learning would be:

1/2, 1/4, 1/3, 1/8, 3/4, 7/8, 2/4, 4/4, 2/3 


3. Have students lay all cards out face up on their desks.


4. Write a comparison statement on the board such as "More than 1/2."


5. Say, "Choose!" As quickly as they can, students choose one of their cards that is true for that statement and hold it against their chests so no on else can see the number. (This sequence is sometimes referred to as Find-Hide-Show.)

 

When everyone has done this say, "Flash!" Students then reveal their cards by holding them up for all to see. For example, a student might hold up "3/4." Or they might hold up "4/4." Both are true. Students should be prepared to justify their choice and explain it. Depending on your prompt statement there will often be more than one correct response.

 

6. Example of other statement prompts include: 

"less than 1/2"

"equal to 1/2"

"greater than 1/3"

"largest number you have"

"smallest number you have"


Variations include:

*Choosing students to write their own prompts on the board.

*Creating new cards after a week and having students choose those numbers.

 

Key Idea: It is always good to discuss why an answer is correct or incorrect and have students offer proof either by explaining with words and/or by using manipulatives or drawings. This is where the gist of the learning takes place.

 

Game Variation:

 

1. Write a prompt statement on the board such as “More Than ½.” 

 

2. Tell students that you will be flashing a fraction card from your set and they must respond by raising their hands and being prepared to say, "True" or "False."

 

3. Flash a fraction card. Choose someone for an answer. They must say "true" it is more than 1/2, or "false" it is not more than 1/2. They then explain why the fraction you chose is more than ½ or not. If they are correct they win a point for the class. Keep class totals for each game session. This keeps the game non-competitive and instead has everyone working together and encouraging each other to score the highest possible class team total.

 

Change the prompt statement for each game session.


As students gain experience with the games and with a wide variety of numbers, the most fun is when you create card sets that include a mix of whole numbers, fractions, decimals, and mixed numbers. That makes for some real "Flash Fun!"


Best,

Bob

 


 

 

 

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