Year 5/6 Bulletin

Fraction War

Learning Intention: To develop quick comparison of fraction values.

Learning experience overview:

Students take turns playing "war" using a deck of cards and a pencil to act as the fraction line.

The pair of students must then decide who has the larger fraction based on the four cards played.

The winner gets to keep all the cards.

The player with the most cards at the end wins.

How to play:

Shuffle and deal the cards.
Each player puts their cards faced down in a pile.
Place one pencil in front of you, making the division line
Both players turn over TWO cards at the same time (one above the pencil and one below).
The player whose cards have the larger fraction wins all four cards.
Players may use paper to figure equivalent fractions or use an anchor chart/resources provided.
If players turn over equivalent fractions, then there is a fraction war.
Each player places 2 new cards face down and the 3rd & 4th card face up (one above the pencil and one below).
Whoever has the higher fraction wins all the cards.
The game can continue until one player has all the cards or for a given amount of time.

Fraction War Tips and Tricks

If two fractions have a common denominator, the fraction with the larger numerator is the larger fraction. Eg: 3/5 is larger than 2/5
If two fractions have a common numerator, thefraction with the smaller denominator is larger. Eg: 1/4 is larger than 1/8

Modifications

You could leave in a couple face cards and call them ‘free cards’. You could assign whatever number you want to them to help you make the largest fraction.
Take out or add certain cards to the deck. For instance, the students that are more confident can get decks that include the face cards and students that are not, can get decks that have lower number cards or cards that are easy to simplify.
You might like to start with the same denominator and just turn over one card for the numerator. Then flip to a common numerator and flip the denominator after it is mastered.
Lay the cards so that no improper fractions are made e.g. 8/5
Dominoes can also work for this game.

eg:

Examples of students work

What you can do now (To continue the learning at home from this experience)

Continue to explore fractions at home through cooking and playing games.
Explore what fractions mean and how they are ordered.
Keep playing maths games with your child. Here is a website for some great games, with videos on how to play and question prompts: https://www.lovemaths.me/
Continue to explore ways you can assist your child with fractions at home: Learning About Fractions at Home: Evidence-Based Tips for Parents and Caregivers

Important information and key dates:

Jenny, Zaim and Jade

Year 5/6 Team

Jenny.Kourkouvelis@education.vic.gov.au