Explore How to Add and Subtract Fractions Through Guided Number Talks

Have you heard of number talks before? Number talks are short, daily maths activities that allow students to have meaningful and highly engaging conversations about different maths concepts. This set of 24 task cards will enable your students to engage in a series of number talks focused on the concept of adding and subtracting fractions.

The front of each task card contains a visual prompt depicting either an addition or subtraction equation involving fractions with unlike denominators. These visual representations include pictorial and written fraction notation. Turn over the card, and you will find a range of question prompts to assist you in sparking meaningful conversations about the equation on the front of the card. These have been specifically designed to help students articulate their thought processes and mathematical reasoning.

Some example prompts from this set of adding and subtracting fractions cards include:

What expression is represented by this image? How do you know?

How can we determine the sum?

How is adding fractions with unlike denominators similar to adding fractions with like denominators? How is it different?

Some of the strategies for adding and subtracting unlike denominators included in this set of task cards are using fraction blocks, number lines, strip diagrams and set models.

Use These Number Talk Task Cards in Multiple Ways

These adding and subtracting fractions with unlike denominators number talk task cards can be used in a variety of ways in your classroom. Here are some ideas you might like to consider:

• Whole-Class Warm-Up – As mentioned above, these number talk task cards make a great whole-class activity. They can be used as a warm-up at the beginning of a lesson on adding and subtracting fractions, or even as a lesson wrap-up.
• Group Work Activity – Divide your class into small groups and provide each group with a task card. Choose a selection of question prompts from the back of the card (five or so) and write these on the board. Have the groups work together to discuss the prompt and collectively answer the questions. Each group could then report their findings back to the class.
• Exit Ticket—Choose a card to display on your interactive whiteboard as an exit ticket. Have students write on a small piece of paper or sticky note how they would solve the equation, as well as their answer. Students can submit their sticky notes as they leave the classroom.

Download and Prepare These Adding and Subtracting Fractions Task Cards

Use the dropdown menu on the Download button to select either the full-colour or black-and-white PDF.

Print out the task cards double-sided so that the prompts are displayed on the back of each card. You may wish to use cardboard to increase the longevity and durability of the cards.

Click for More Fractions Operations Resources

Has this resource piqued your interest in Teach Starter’s fractions collection? Click below for more teacher-created, curriculum-aligned activities!

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Adding Fractions with Unlike Denominators Interactive Maze

Get your students to add fractions with unlike denominators to find their way out of the digital maze!

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Subtracting Fractions With Unlike Denominators Task Cards

Get your students subtracting fractions with unlike denominators using this set of task cards focusing on a variety of strategies.

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Adding, Subtracting, Multiplying and Dividing Fractions Posters

Display these fractions posters in your classroom to remind your students how to perform operations with like and unlike fractions.