Equivalent Fractions for Beginners

This resource provides sufficient material for a complete lesson on equivalent fractions, and enough worksheets for classwork, homework and revision purposes.

It consists of a 17-slide PowerPoint presentation, 5 graded sets of worksheets, and a two-page help document to support learners/parents/support staff in the independent/homework tasks.

The presentation has teacher-controlled animation to facilitate step-by-step working through of the method. After two slides dealing with key vocabulary, there are 5 showing how to use multiplication to find a second missing numerator, and a further 5 showing how to use division to find the first numerator. The intention is that during the whole-class lesson, the method will become embedded in learners’ memories as they work through a series of problems with the teacher, using the same ‘script’ for each. At the end of the presentation, there is a set of calculations for pupils to work on in pairs/small groups, before moving on to independent work. Answers are supplied.

The step-by-step help sheets have a similar function to the presentation. The first shows how multiplication is used to solve equivalent fractions problems. The second deals with the division method.

The 25 worksheets (sets of 5 with accompanying answer sheets) are arranged in folders, which are numbered in order of difficulty. Since the objective is to teach a method, rather than supply calculation practice, a secure knowledge of multiplication tables is not a prerequisite of success at this level. The easiest folder requires only that pupils know the 10 times table. The other folders also have denominators of 2 and 5.