Fraction Games: Adding and Subtracting Fractions

Fourth Grade Fractions

In fourth grade, your child will be learning how to solve problems by adding and subtracting fractions. Your child will also be expected to add and subtract mixed numbers by replacing them with equivalent fractions. At this level, your child will likely benefit from the use of drawings or hands-on materials to help him or her visualize the fractional amounts.

Can I Get a Whole?

Before beginning this game, label index cards with a variety of fractions. Depending on your child's ability level, it may be helpful to only use three or four different denominators. Mix up the index cards and place them face down in a stack. Each player's goal is to add his or her cards to get as close to a whole number as possible.

The dealer will turn over one card at a time for each player. Players can continue asking for one more card until they are as close to a whole number as possible. If a player adds his or her cards and goes over a whole number, he or she loses for that round. For each round, the player who gets closest to the whole number will get a point. At the end of the game, the player with the most points wins the game!

Add These Fractions

Create a list of your family's first names. Have your child create a fraction to represent each family member's name. The number of vowels in a person's name will be the numerator and the total number of letters in his or her name will be the denominator.

Have your child use the fractions to add or subtract specific family member's names. For example, to add John + Mark your child would add: ¼ + ¼ = 2/4, or 1/2. If your child is more advanced, have him or her add three fractions.

Fraction Stories

Draw fraction pictures and have your child create stories that relate to the fractions. For example, if you drew a circle that shows 1/3 shaded in red and 1/3 shaded in blue, your child could say: Joe ate 1/3 of the pie and Susanna ate 1/3 of the pie. Together, Joe and Susanna ate 2/3 of the pie. Alter the format of this activity by having your child draw the fraction from a story you create. You may also ask your child to create a story and draw the fractional representation.