Fractions Activities for First Grade

We’ve loaded up on all sorts of fractions activities this year. It just so happens it’s one of our students’ favorite math units. Why? Because one of the key concepts is about equal parts. And kids (at least our kids) are obsessed with things being fair.

Did everyone get the same amount of time on the swings?
Will I get a chance to share my story, too?
Is there enough glitter for everyone?
I didn’t get to hold the hamster. She took the whole time.

Our classroom can’t be the only one that has this sort of chatter. So, a math study about things being equal and unequal… yeah, we’re into that.

FRACTIONS ACTIVITIES for FIRST GRADE

There’s nothing wrong with our district’s math materials, except there usually aren’t enough activities to get us through to the end. Inevitably, we always feel like we need more.

This year, we made new resources to add to our math toolbox. If you also wish you had a bit more, take a look at what we’re using. It may be just what you need to bolster your plans.

First, fractions activities will make a lot more sense if we work to establish a working definition right from the start. The vocabulary around this unit is a little tricky for some kids, so we focus on real-life examples, visuals, and key terms right from the start.

Key word posters like this one are a simple way to introduce new vocabulary while providing a simple visual and kid-friendly definition. In this set, we’ve pulled twelve key math terms from CCSS 1.G.A.3 to create a set that includes:

whole
part
partition
fraction
equal fractions
unequal fractions
halves
half of
fourths
fourth of
quarters
quarters of

Then, we made smaller black and white versions of each that are perfect for our students’ math journals. Each student can personalize their own page, highlight key words, and refer to the terms throughout the study, if needed.

As you’re thinking about fractions activities, don’t skip the library. There aren’t a ton of picture books that focus only on simple fractions, but there are a few. Check these out and see if they’ll work for you. Even those that push into thirds (a second grade standard) can still be beneficial as resources. See what you think:

Give Me Half by Stuart J. Murphy
If You Were a Fraction by Trisha Shaskan
Whole-Y Cow! Fractions Are Fun by Taryn Souders
The Doorbell Rang by Pat Hutchins
Fraction Action by Loreen Leedy
The Wishing Club by Donna Jo Napoli

The Doorbell Rang is a classic. It isn’t about fractions specifically, but it is about sharing cookies fairly, so it’s a good way to make a real-life connection to math.

MORE FRACTION FUN

Our fractions activities wouldn’t be complete without a little snack worked in. If you’ve known us for even a minute, you know our affection for “Munchie Math.” And if your students light up when you bring out a treat, this one’s for you.

Slip the work mats into page protectors, grab some dry erase markers, and you’ve got a yummy lesson focused on making equal groups of halves and quarters.

When you’re ready for a little more skill review, we’ve got you covered with extra worksheets to supplement your materials. Super low prep… they’re ready to print and use.

We’ve used them during whole class instruction and math remediation groups, but some of our teammates use them as bellwork and homework. Honestly, they’d probably work in math centers as well.