Unit Plan: Grade 7

Adding and Subtracting Fractions

EDES 363
Instructor: Penny Vollmin
April 9th, 2015
Team 7: Kara, Carla, Malorie, Jena

Preparation for this Unit:

- This unit will take approx. 3-4 weeks to complete
- All links to online resources have been included
- Included are traditional and authentic assessments
- For a complete list of resources needed for this unit, lesson-by-lesson, see the Resources/Materials column in Part 4 of this
document

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Part 1 - Logistics
Unit Title:
Adding and Subtracting Fractions

Instructional Designers:
Kara Porttin, Carla Graham, Malorie Montpetit, Jena Holden

Subject Area:
Mathematics

Grade:
7

Duration:
3-4 weeks
Year plan with timing of unit

Rationale:
The adding and subtracting fractions unit should take between 3-4 weeks. Generally, it could be completed in 3 weeks,
however we have added a couple of extra days for flexibility. A unit test could be placed on April 26 for summative
assessment. Having a test on Tuesday allows for review on the previous day. This is also better than having a test on the
Friday before/after, because students are exhausted by the end of the week and are ready to have fun on the weekends.
Their focus would most likely not be there. Also, it leaves enough time in the rest of the week to get started on the next
unit. April is a good month for this unit because the weeks are full weeks and not many instructional days are being lost.

Part 2 Desired Results

Learning Outcomes:
Strand:
Number
Develop Number Sense:
5. Demonstrate an understanding of adding and subtracting positive fractions and mixed numbers, with like and unlike denominators,
concretely, pictorially and symbolically (limited to positive sums and differences). [C, CN, ME, PS, R, V]
Above and Below
Outcomes:
Grade 6:
Relate improper fractions to mixed numbers and mixed numbers to improper fractions. [CN, ME, R, V]
Grade 8:
Demonstrate an understanding of multiplying and dividing positive fractions and mixed numbers, concretely, pictorially and
symbolically. [C, CN, ME, PS]
Knowledge:

Skills:

Students will know

- multiples
- denominator
- numerator
- fraction
- mixed fraction
- like/unlike denominators
- equivalent

Students will be able to

find multiples of a number
use materials to find a common denominator for a set of fractions
determine a common denominator using multiples
write equivalent fractions
use materials and diagrams to add and subtract fractions with unlike denominators
use a common denominator to add and subtract fractions with unlike denominators
solve problems involving the addition and/or subtraction of fractions
check that a solution to a fraction addition or subtraction statement makes sense
use concrete materials and diagrams to add mixed numbers with like or unlike denominators
use an addition statement to add mixed numbers with like or unlike denominators
solve problems involving the addition of mixed numbers
check that a solution to a mixed number addition statement makes sense
use materials and diagrams to subtract mixed numbers with like or unlike denominators
use a subtraction statement to subtract mixed numbers with like or unlike denominators
solve problems involving the subtraction of mixed numbers
check that a solution to a mixed number subtraction statement makes sense

Part 3 Assessment Evidence

Performance Task /Culminating Activity
What authentic, relevant task will allow students to show what they've learned during the unit? In the space below, include all elements of
GRASPS, including success criteria (based on learner outcomes). At the bottom of this section, describe the scenario or situation (in
paragraph form) that will require students to apply their knowledge and skills to demonstrate their learning in a real-life situation. Attach
your performance task rubric to your unit plan.
G - Goal:
Your task is to find a recipe that you would like to make. Using this recipe you will need to demonstrate your ability to add and subtract proper, improper and mixed
fractions. The goal is to add together all the ingredients that are being measured using the same unit (ie/ teaspoons). The problem is that you will make at least 3 mistakes along
the way, and will need to use subtraction techniques to figure out how to correct your recipe. Once you have finished outlining these procedures you will get to bake the recipe
that you have found!
R Role:
You and your partner are bakers. You have been asked to bake a recipe of your choice to bring to a potluck. Your job is to separate the different units of measurement
that the recipe called for and then add the totals of each unit. After completing the correct recipe you will need to make a mock situation where you will have to make a
minimum of 3 mistakes. You will need to use subtraction to figure out how to fix your mistakes.
A Audience:
Your clients and target audience are your classmates, who will become food connoisseurs at the potluck. You need to convince them that you make the proper
corrections (math) to your recipe when you made the mistakes.
S Situation:
The context you find yourself in is that you have learned how to add and subtract improper, proper and mixed fractions and now you are going to put your skills
to the test when you bake! The challenge involves dealing with mistakes that are made when you are baking, and how to fix these mistakes without having to start over.
P Product, Performance:
You will create a giant recipe card poster in order to show your initial recipe and your calculations including drawings and/or pictures. At the final
potluck, students will be asked to bring their poster as well as their baking and they will be able to show their classmates, teachers, and parents what they have made!
S Success criteria:
Your performance needs to show that you correctly made all the calculations you needed to to bake your recipe. It will also include evidence of you
correctly adjusting three mistakes that you hypothetically would have made. Finally you will need to bake the recipe! Your work will be judged by your classmates and parents,

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however your teacher will be the only one giving you a grade. Your product must meet the following standards to be successful ;
authentic assessment checklist
.
GRASPS Performance Task:
In this performance task you will become bakers! You will be asked, in partners, to find a recipe that you will be able to bake. From that recipe you
will be adding ingredients together to create the product as well as subtracting ingredients to fix mistakes that you would hypothetically make while baking the recipe. You will
be asked to create a chart, or use the ones that we have provided (
Addition a
nd
Subtraction
) to show your work when calculating the total ingredients that you are adding and
subtracting from the recipe. Once completed you will compile both your addition and subtraction sheets, as well as the original recipe onto a big poster card that will act as a
recipe card. After completing this you will get to bake your recipe! All of the products made will be showcased at the end of the unit to your peers and parents.

Other Evidence:
Formative Assessment:
A wide variety of activities make up a large portion of our formative assessments - please see below.
Summative Assessment:
Fresh Baked Fractions Poster and Fractions Unit Exam - see attached.

Self-Assessment:
Fresh Baked Fractions Checklist (I Can Statements) - see attached. Students can also self-assess their progress during
game play when they receive immediate feedback.

Part 4 Learning Plan

Introductory Activity/Entry Event:
Skittles Fraction Challenge!
Reading the book:
My Half Day by Doris Fisher
Lesson #

1.

Learning Outcome

Learning Activities

Develop Number Sense #5

Introduction to Fraction Unit

- Skittles Fraction Challenge!
- Read the book:
My Half Day
by Doris Fisher

Assessment
(FOR /OF/AS)

For

Resources / Materials

2.

Develop Number Sense #5

Finding multiples of a number

- Lesson on multiples
- The Multiple Game 1-6
Finding the least common multiple
- Fruit Shoot

For

Enough packs of
skittles for whole class.
Skittles Fraction
worksheets
My Half Day
book
Multiples Game
worksheets
Dice (enough for class)
Smartboard/ class set
of computers or ipads.

3.

Develop Number Sense #5

Finding the least (lowest) common denominator

- Lesson on lowest common denominator
- Fruit Splat

For

Smartboard/ class set

of computers or ipads.

4.

Develop Number Sense #5

Finding Equivalent Fractions

- Lesson on Equivalent Fractions
- Triplets (Intergalactic Space Games)
- Equivalent Fractions Activity
(Problem Solving)

For

Smartboard/ class set

of computers/ipads.
bean bags
trash cans/buckets
Fraction chart

Adding Fractions with Like Denominators

- Use fraction circles/manipulatives to show
students (overhead or smartboard).
- Have students use fraction circles to play with and
then get them to answer questions using the
manipulatives. They will draw what they make
onto their paper to complete assignment.
- Can introduce fraction strips as another way of
drawing or visualizing fractions.
- *Show how to subtract fractions with fraction
circles as well this day* (if not bring that forward
to the next day and use fraction circles again).

For

5.

Develop Number Sense #5

Fraction circles for

overhead
Fraction circles (class
set)
Worksheets

6.

Develop Number Sense #5

Subtracting Fractions with Like Denominators

- Cool Math for Kids Online Lesson
- Pacman Subtracting Fractions Game

For

Smartboard
Ipads/computers

7.

Develop Number Sense #5

Simplifying Fractions (Lowest Terms)

- Lesson on Simplifying Fractions
- Simplifying
Fractions
- Fraction
BINGO

For

Deck of cards with

face cards removed
Paper
Pencil

Adding Fractions with Unlike Denominators

- Teach Method 1 of using the LCM to add fractions
with unlike denominators.

For

Smartboard
Worksheets
Racecar sheets
dice

8.

Develop Number Sense #5

Step 1:
Check denominators to see if they are the
same
-if the same add the numerators and simplify.
-if not continue to step 2

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Step 2:
Find the lowest common multiple (LCM) between the
two denominators.
Step 3:
Find the equivalent fractions using the
LCM
-find what you multiply the denominator with to
get it to the LCM
-what you do to the bottom you do to the top.
Step 4:
add numerators, keep denominator, simplify if needed

Could use the B

are Bones
method as well
Online Lesson Using Fraction Bars
Racecar game
for adding fractions

9.

Develop Number Sense #5

Subtracting Fractions with Unlike Denominators

- Lesson
- Butterfly Method
or Lazy Bones way
- These methods can be used for both adding and
subtracting fractions. The previous lesson taught a
method that would work for subtracting as well as
adding. And these two methods work for both as
well. It depends what method you would like to
teach and how many you like to teach.
(Recommend not doing all because it will confuse
your students.)
- Online board game
- Bump Game

For/As

Butterfly Sheets
Smartboard
Computers/ipads

10.

Develop Number Sense #5

Review of Changing mixed fractions to improper and vise

versa.
- I have, who has game
- Mitten Mash
- Show me what you know quiz on adding and
subtracting fractions with like and unlike
denominators (4 questions)

For

Fraction cards
quizzes
Mitten cards

11.

Develop Number Sense #5

Adding Mixed Fractions

- Lesson
- Step 1: Convert Mixed Fractions into
Improper fractions.
- Step 2: Use the LCM or Butterfly method to
add or subtract the fractions.
- Step 3: Simplify your answer.
- Mixed Numbers Tic-Tac-Toe

For

Tic-Tac-Toe Sheets

12.

Develop Number Sense #5

Subtracting Mixed Fractions

- Review of Methods
- Mixed Number Fraction Game

For

Dice
Fraction Sheet games

13.

Develop Number Sense #5

Review Jeopardy Game

(Adding and Subtracting Fractions
and Mixed Numbers)

For

Smartboard
Teams

14.

Develop Number Sense #5

Fresh Baked Fractions Poster

- In partners, decide on a recipe and complete
Addition Measurements and Subtraction
Measurements worksheets.
- Create a poster that includes:
- the chosen recipe
- the recipe calculations that have been
carried out (with all work shown)
- calculations are supported by visuals
(drawings, photos, etc.)
- three mistakes are provided (all work is
shown)

Of

Poster paper
Markers
Recipes
Addition
and
Subtraction
Measurement
Worksheets

15.

Develop Number Sense #5

Traditional Assessment:
Fraction Fabrication: Sewing it all
Together

Of

Tests for class

manipulatives
baking
posters

Showcase of Authentic Assessment and have baking

potluck!

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Bibliography

Audio:
Visual:

Racecar game
Simplifying Fractions
BINGO
Mitten Mash
Mixed Numbers Tic-Tac-Toe
Mixed Number Fraction Game

Digital:

Skittles Fraction Challenge

Adapted Mind Math
Equivalent Fractions Activity
Triplets (Intergalactic Space Games)
Fruit Splat
(Lowest Common Denominator)
Fruit Shoot
(Least Common Multiple)
Smart Notebook Lesson
Online Lesson Using Fraction Bars
Bare Bones
Lazy Bones way
Butterfly Method
Online board game
Review Jeopardy Game

Literature:

MathLinks 7 -- McGraw-Hill Ryerson (pages 196-265)

My Half Day
by Doris Fisher

Community:
Other: