Multiply Fractions by Whole Numbers

Learning Resource Type

Learning Activity

Subject Area

Mathematics

Grade(s)

4

Overview

This learning activity is a free interactive fraction game from Math Games that will give students the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge of multiplying a whole number by a fraction. Students will be asked a series of word problems involving multiplying a whole number by a fraction. Some questions will have multiple choice answers and some will require a free-response. There are four different levels of the game. Students advance each level based on the number of correct questions answered. This activity should be used at the end of a lesson on multiplying a whole number by a fraction to assess mastery of the standard.

This activity results from the ALEX Resource Development Summit.

Phase

After/Explain/Elaborate
Mathematics (2019) Grade(s): 4

MA19.4.16

Apply and extend previous understandings of multiplication to multiply a whole number times a fraction.

UP:MA19.4.16

Vocabulary

  • Whole number
  • Fraction
  • Non-unit fraction
  • Unit fraction
  • Fraction less than one
  • Fraction greater than one
  • Visual fraction model
  • Equation
  • Decompose
  • Recompose
  • Compose

Knowledge

Students know:
  • Models or equations to represent multiplication situations.
  • The fraction a/b is equivalent to the unit fraction 1/b being iterated or "copied" the number of times indicated by the numerator, a.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • Model and explain how a non-unit fraction can be expressed as multiplication.
  • Multiply a whole number times any fraction less than one.
  • Solve word problems involving a whole number times a fraction using a visual fraction model and equation to represent the problem.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • Previous work involving multiplication with whole numbers can be extended to fractions in showing multiplication as putting together equal-sized fractional groups.
  • Problem solving situations involving multiplication of a whole number times a fraction can be solved using a variety of strategies, models, and representations.

Learning Objectives

Students will be able to:

    • model and explain a fraction as a multiple of a unit fraction.
    • multiply a whole number times any fraction less than 1 and justify the product.
    • solve word problems involving multiplying a whole number times a fraction using a visual model and equation to represent the problem. 

Activity Details

Students should have been introduced to multiplying a whole number by a fraction and have had an opportunity to explore and investigate the concept. The teacher may choose to review the multiplying a whole number by a fraction as an introduction to this learning activity. This activity can be used to give students the chance to demonstrate their knowledge of multiplying a whole number by a fraction.

The teacher should provide the students with a link to the website Multiply Fractions by Whole Numbers and explain directions for how to use the website. 

The students should have discovered in class that there are three simple steps to multiplying fractions by whole numbers: multiply tops, multiply bottoms, and simplify. During this activity, students will demonstrate how well they can apply those three simple steps to multiplying fractions by whole numbers to solve word problems.

Some questions will have multiple choice answers while others will require a free-response. There are four levels and students advance to each level based on correct answers.

As students explore the game, the teacher should walk around the room and observe any students who might be struggling to correctly apply the three simple steps when multiplying a fraction by a whole number.

The game also includes a built-in scratchpad for students to demonstrate their thinking.

Assessment Strategies

The game itself can be used as an assessment. If playing the game as a whole group, the teacher can ask the students to answer each problem in their math journals and highlight the answer before giving the correct answer to the class.  

If playing the game individually, the teacher will want to circulate around the room to observe the class for struggling students.

Variation Tips

This game allows students to utilize a scratchpad to demonstrate their thinking. Students will click on the scratchpad and using the pencil icon, draw right over the word problem to solve the equation.

The game also allows students to have the word problem read to them for students who may struggle with reading.

This game could be used as a whole group activity or assigned as an individual activity. When using it whole group, teachers can allow students to answer in their math journals first, highlight the answers, then answer on the interactive whiteboard as a whole group.

Background / Preparation

Internet-connected devices will be needed to play the game. If the teacher wishes to play the game whole group, an interactive whiteboard and projector will also be needed.

https://www.mathgames.com/skill/4.68-multiply-fractions-by-whole-numbers

Approved Date

Owner (Author)

mgsaboyd
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