Teaching Fractions to the Active Child

       Fractions is a subject that causes a lot of frustration for students and teachers alike. 

    It’s a more abstract idea than previous subjects that most students have seen to that point. Parents sometimes feel at a loss trying to help their students understand this concept that can bring their child to tears. The following is an example of how fractions can be taught at home in a way that is hands-on and fun. Please note: this method of teaching is a process. It doesn’t have to happen all at once. This entire process can be done over the course of a week or two, and portions of it can be repeated in various ways until the concepts are adequately understood.

When introducing my kids to fractions, I like to begin with a recipe.

Recipes are a great way to get children interested in fractions, while also teaching practical life skills. This is a simple Playdoh recipe that is lots of fun for kids, or if you prefer to use something premade, you can find it inexpensively here. The advantage to making it at the start of this exercise is it demonstrates some of the different forms fractions can come in.


If making playdoh from scratch (or another other baking recipe), I like to begin with a larger glass measuring cup, as well as some smaller individual measuring cups. Show the students how 2- ½ cups fit into a 1cup, 4- ¼ cups fit into a 1cup, etc. Then, you can progress to the glass measuring cup and show the students how measuring with the smaller amounts into the large glass measuring cup reflects the label on the side of the glass measuring cup. Talk about doubling recipes and how that changes the measuring cups you use. Show them what that looks like. It doesn’t matter if they don’t remember everything at this point. You’re introducing the ideas and will come back to it again later. Completing this exercise in multiple forms (making cookies, banana bread, etc.) will help it become solidified in their minds.

This is a good place to take a break for the day.

Follow the recipe to make your playdoh. This is a good opportunity to discuss the importance of following a recipe (or any other directions) correctly, because failure to do so can result in a product that isn’t usable/edible. Even if we don’t understand the reason for certain instructions, it is important to follow them as best you can, especially if they come from parents or other authority figures.

Or, if your student is anxious to continue, you can play with the playdoh until they get bored. I encourage you to let them keep some playdoh in their hands to play with as you’re talking to them about fractions. The more the lesson comes across as play (with a little bit of learning mixed in), the more engaged they will be. Let them play with the playdoh. Make some shapes with them. Take time to enjoy the process. Everyone’s stress level should be low- if it’s high, that means it’s time to take a break for the day.

        When you’re ready to continue, make some playdoh balls that are approximately the same size. Use different colors if you have them. Flatten them out, and cut them into equal sections (as shown), and explain fractions as being a description of the number of pieces being used of a whole. 3/3 represents 1 whole piece circle (it’s all the same color), but if 1/3 of the pieces are replaced with a different color, that means 2/3 of the circle (two pieces) are unchanged. You can also describe it using the analogy of a pizza. Something like, “If your pizza is cut into 6 pieces but there are 12 people at the table, you would cut the pizza slices smaller so that everyone could have some, but the size of the pizza doesn’t change, only the size of the slices- right?”

        Let the student(s) play with moving pieces around from the circles. Have the compare the pieces from circles cut different ways, or let them try to fit a larger piece (1/4), into a smaller piece (1/6) or vice versa. None of this should be rushed. Children learn as they play.

When you are ready to introduce adding fractions, show them the relevance of the common denominator. The goal of the common denominator is to make pieces that are all the same size so you can accurately assess the new amount. By cutting the circles in a way that all the pieces are equal, the sections can be added together and then reduced as necessary.

If anyone is starting to get frustrated, take a break and try again in a day or two.

This is a small habit to implement, but it will help to keep the learning atmosphere light and fun, so learning happens more easily. Forcing things to happen will frustrate everyone and make learning more difficult.

These exercises can be repeated, in part or in whole, as often as needed to help get the student comfortable with fractions and manipulating them. It can also be repeated with cookies, pizza, or a whiteboard and markers. Ideally, repeat the same exercises in a variety of different ways to help keep it engaging. If the student is able to explain the subject matter back to you as if they are teaching it, they have a good foundational understanding of the material.

If you'd like ideas on how to teach other subjects in an engaging way, comment below with your request.

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