Fractions Math Game

Computation
Students solve problems involving addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of integers. They solve problems involving fractions, decimals, ratios, proportions, and percentages.

6.2.10 Use mental arithmetic to add or subtract simple fractions & decimals.
6.2.5 Solve problems involving addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of positive fractions and explain why a particular operation was used for a given situation.

Students will be able to identify, compare & provide equivalent fractions for:

1 whole
1/2 fraction
1/4 fraction
1/8 fraction
1/16 fraction

One blank piece of 8 & 1/2 inches by 11 inches (standard copy paper--use scrap or recycle something you copied on one side only)
One full page advertisement that fills the dimensions of the blank piece of paper
One 1/2 page horizontal size ad (cut out)
Four 1/4 page regular size ads (cut out)
Eight 1/8 page horizontal size ads (cut out)
Eight 1/16 page regular size ads (cut out)
One spinner

You and your students will be folding a paper into 16ths in just FOUR folds.

1. Pass out a blank piece of standard copy paper with 8 & 1/2" by 11" dimensions.
2. First, as even as possible, demonstrate folding a paper in half horizontally, then in half vertically, then in half horizontally, then in half vertically.
3. After having the students watch you then have them begin doing their paper together with you as you re-fold yours again.
4. Then have the students unfold it, lay it vertically, and as flat as they can on their desks without taking all the creases out.
5. Show the students the videos below of the publication & how to stack their ads. (If you can't access Youtube at your school I recommend you watching it and then doing your best to replicate it in the classroom.)
6. Before starting the actual game we spend about 10 minutes or so of becoming familiar with the ads and the sizes. I instruct the students to place the various sizes on their piece of paper that is folded into 1/16ths. This helps them to become comfortable with the layout and size of the various ads. During this time I will show how some of the smaller ads are equivalent to a larger ad ie. four 1/16 page size ads are equal to one 1/4 page size ad.

Modifications: As you will quickly see you can modify this game many different ways to meet your needs. You can add different fractions to the spinner ie. 4/4, 2/4, 3/4 etc. You can also add more of various size ads to the layers the students are stacking. You can also change the dimensions of the display to incorporate more vertical sizes ie. 1/4 vertical, 1/2 vertical, 3/4 vertical. (All the ad sizes in my demonstration are either horizontal or regular sizes). If you do not have access to other ads with vertical dimensions you can simply make up some fake ads, use blank paper cut to the correct dimensions, or go the the website of the publication I used, Full Moon Advertising, and print a few pages of the latest edition of the publication. The Full Moon Advertising publication/brochure pages are provided in the convenient PDF format.

I just like using real ads so it is more realistic. You could also look in your own community for publications you could use.

Tips:
* When having the students stack their ads for the first few rounds have all players stack the display ad cut outs the same way. After they get a feel for the game they can stack them differently if you allow it.
* Don't modify the ad sizes to more difficult dimensions until the students master the simpler sizes.
* Laminating the ads before use is also helpful to maintain the flat surface and shape.
* Keep the individual student materials together in sheet protector or zip lock bags.
* Instruct students to take an inventory of ads before & after each game. (writing the number of each size ad on the outside of the bag can help)

Enjoy~ My students really liked it after they got the hang of it. :-)

Observation of the student playing the game will serve as an assessment of student understanding and mastery of fractions being taught.
Also having a Student Teach another student how to play the game & observe the student giving the instructions.