A fun 10-minute activity to do with your child!
Your child is learning about equivalent fractions in math class. Equivalent fractions are different fractions that represent the same amount (like 1/2 = 2/4 = 3/6). This is an important skill for the Florida FAST test. Below are simple activities you can do at home to help your child succeed. No math expertise needed!
Draw two circles (pizzas) the same size. Cut one into 4 equal slices and the other into 8 equal slices.
Ask your child: "If I eat 2 slices from the pizza with 4 slices, what fraction did I eat?" (2/4) "What if I eat 4 slices from the pizza with 8 slices?" (4/8)
Have your child place the pieces on top of each other. Ask: "Are 2/4 and 4/8 the same amount?" (Yes!) "What simpler fraction are they both equal to?" (1/2)
Challenge: "Can you find another fraction equal to 1/2?" (3/6, 5/10, etc.) Ask how they figured it out (multiply both by the same number).
"To make equivalent fractions, we multiply or divide BOTH the top and bottom numbers by the SAME number. It's like multiplying by 1!"
Fill the 1/4 cup measure. Ask: "How many of these will fill the 1/2 cup?" Have your child test it. (2 of them = 2/4 = 1/2)
Ask: "If 2/4 = 1/2, what number did we divide by to simplify?" (2 - we divided both 2 and 4 by 2)
Challenge: "How many 1/4 cups fill 1 whole cup?" (4) "So 4/4 = ?" (1 whole)
"When we cook, we use equivalent fractions all the time! If a recipe calls for 1/2 cup but we only have a 1/4 cup measure, we know to use it twice because 2/4 = 1/2."
Just 10 minutes of practice at home can make a big impact on your child's confidence and success. Fraction equivalence is a skill they'll use in cooking, building, and throughout their math education. Thank you for being part of their learning journey!
Su hijo esta aprendiendo sobre fracciones equivalentes. Las fracciones equivalentes son diferentes fracciones que representan la misma cantidad (como 1/2 = 2/4). Para encontrar fracciones equivalentes, multiplique o divida AMBOS numeros (numerador y denominador) por el MISMO numero. Las actividades de arriba usan pizza y tazas de medir para practicar. Gracias por apoyar el aprendizaje de su hijo!