Teach How to Add Fractions with Like Denominators

Mrs. Sanchez made a loaf of bread. She used one-eighth of the loaf for breakfast and two-eighths of the loaf for lunch.

How much bread did Mrs. Sanchez use?

To work out the answer to this question, your students need to understand that the question involves the addition of fractions with like denominators. Like denominators are fractions that have the same denominator, e.g. one-eighth and two-eighths.There are several strategies that students can use when performing these types of operations with fractions. These include:

1. Fraction Tiles – Fraction tiles are hands-on tools that can be used to visually construct and solve problems with fractions.
2. Fraction Circles – Fraction circles are diagrams that can be drawn by students to visually represent problems with fractions.
3. Number Lines – Number lines are linear representations of a fraction that can be used to solve addition problems.
4. Fraction Notation – With an understanding of fraction notation comes the ability to solve addition problems using the standard algorithm.

To help your students better understand these four strategies for adding fractions with like denominators, the expert teacher team at Teach Starter has created this 25-slide teaching presentation. The presentation explores each strategy in detail using annotated examples of each process. It also includes collaborative review activities that the class can work through together as a means of checking for understanding.

This slide deck downloads in a Google Slides format. Simply project on your screen for a paperless lesson on fractions!

Differentiate This Fractions PowerPoint

If you’re looking for ways to differentiate this activity, here are some suggestions from our experienced teacher team:

• Provide Manipulatives – To help your less-confident students engage with and practice each strategy, provide manipulatives such as fraction strips and mini-whiteboards.
• Be the Teacher – Allow your more-confident students to demonstrate their knowledge by taking the lead during the review activities. Have students take turns coming up to the board and walking the class through the steps required to complete the questions.

Download to Add Fractions with Like Denominators

Use the Download button to access the Google Slides version of this resource. (Note: You will be prompted to make a copy of the Google Slides presentation before accessing it.)

The slideshow does contain some simple animations so should be used in Presentation mode.

This resource was created by Brittany Collins, a teacher in Indiana and a Teach Starter collaborator.

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