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Making Fractions Fun in First Grade

Is it just me or does the word fractions make you ALL kinds of feelings?! I remember beginning to learn about fractions as a child and thinking, “This makes no sense” which later turned into “I hate fractions.” How many times have you heard that same sentiment from your students? Well let’s stop that today! While reading, you are going to learn about not only how to make learning about fractions fun and engaging, but also how to help students totally rock fractions and walk away with a deep understanding! 

hands on fractions blog post

Build A Foundation

Why are fractions important? Well not only are students going to use fractions A LOT while in school, but we also use fractions everyday in our lives. Whether we are cooking dinner, paying a restaurant tab, and even when telling time. This is one of those skills that builds upon itself. Students begin by learning the basics of fractions and it continues to get more in depth and complex as they grow and learn more. So for our slice of the pie, it is important for students to truly understand halves and fourths so when they continue learning more about them in higher graders, we’ve built a solid foundation for them. So how the heck do we do that?!

Make it Concrete

Fractions are crucial for students to understand, but they can be a really challenging concept for some. When it comes to these super tricky math skills, I have a secret tool I love to use that has been a MAJOR game changer in our classroom. It’s called the CRA Model and it has got to be one of the best differentiation tools for teaching. Learn more about it HERE! 

For fractions, we’re mostly going to focus on the C (concrete) part of the CRA Model since it is such a new concept for students and can be challenging for them. When I begin teaching fractions I like to bring out ALL the hands on manipulatives so that students can touch, feel, and manipulate fractions. This will help them develop a deep understanding of what fractions are and how we use them. 

Setting the Stage

So first things first, we set the stage for students. One of the best and most ORGANIC ways to teach about fractions is by learning how to share equally! On our first day of our fractions unit, I love to start by reading the book, “Give Me Half”. This book is a great introduction to the importance of fractions and equal shares. After reading, partner students up and give them one cookie to share. Don’t tell them how to share the cookie, but tell them to make sure they each have equal shares. Not only will they have a great time, but this is a great exploratory lesson to begin discussing all those important pieces of fractions. 

At the end of the lesson, bring students back together and have them discuss what they noticed while sharing their cookie and what they learned about fractions. While they share, begin to discuss those important terms like equal shares, partitioning, halves, and fourths. This is a great stopping point for the first lesson. 

Hands On Fun

After setting the stage for fractions, now you can begin to teach students ALL the important vocabulary words and the importance of fractions. A great video that I love using to help introduce all those important concepts is Brainpop Jr. Basic Parts of a Whole. This provides students with more background about fractions. After watching the video, it’s time to have students practicing with fractions! Take a look at the anchor charts I love using below to help students understand all those important things about fractions. 

Then it’s time to break out the Play Doh! Using Play Doh to build shapes and partition them is great learning AND fun! Who doesn’t love playing with Play Doh?! Students can practice making different shapes and partitioning those shapes into different fractions. Take a look at some of the great shapes students created with their Play Doh! While they work, this is a great time to use those important key words again like equal shares, partitioning, halves, and fourths. 

Hands on fractions Play Doh fractions

Play based fractions teaching fractions in first grade Making fraction shapes in first grade

playdoh fractions freebie  fractions freebie

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ALL the Fun

Fractions is one of the units that is perfect for creating a hands on experience for students. If students are touching and manipulating things, chances are we can make it some sort of game to play. Learn about why playing in the classroom is so important HERE! Not only do these games help students understand these concepts… but they are also SO fun! They are perfect for center activities and allow for students to practice fractions. Look below at some of the engaging ways students get practice with these skills. 

hands on fraction centersfraction centers for first grade  equal vs unequal fractions activity

fractions bingo fractions puzzles hands on fractions puzzles

Hands On Fractions Centers

fractions activity pack for first grade

Fractions Activity Pack 

Get Crafty!

Wrap up all that wonderful learning with this adorable math craft that will look perfect on the bulletin board!

fractions math craft

Fractions Math Craft

The Bundle

Below you’ll see the jam packed math centers bundle that includes ALL these engaging activities and more… with a FREEBIE of course! This bundle will help you have engaging, fun, and hands on math activities for the ENTIRE YEAR.  Make math a time your students are sure to love and remember! This is also a GROWING bundle because as I come up with more hands on ideas, I continue to add them to the bundle! So each new resource that gets included, you get for FREE!

first grade year long math centers hands on activities growing bundle

Year Long Math Centers Bundle

I hope you enjoyed learning some fun ways to help students become fraction ROCKSTARS. This is a CRUCIAL life skill for students and the deeper the understanding of these skills, the better! Let’s help students not only be successful but have FUN doing it! I really hope you enjoyed learning more about how to teach fractions in the classroom!  Don’t forget to subscribe to my email list! Not only will you get the most up to date tips, tricks, and classroom projects… and of course more fun FREEBIES including the Playdough Fractions FREEBIE! You will also have exclusive access to tons of digital how to videos! If you would like to learn about this and other things happening in my classroom follow me  @sweetnsauerfirsties on Instagram.

To follow me on TPT and get all the latest updates on HALF OFF new products, click HERE!

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Cheers to the weekend! 🥂 What are you looking Cheers to the weekend! 🥂

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I mean.. it’s not wrong. 🤷‍♀️😂
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The 100th day of school is HUGE! It’s a time t The 100th day of school is HUGE! 

It’s a time to celebrate all the hard work and learning done together. It marks an important time that signals that we’ve spent more than half the year together! 

There are so many fun, engaging, and simple ways to celebrate that make it a memorable experience for students. 

Swipe left to see some of the fun ways we’ve celebrated together and learn easy and engaging ways now with the link on my profile or drop a 🤩 and I’ll share the link!
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Save this for easy and fun 100th day ideas! The 1 Save this for easy and fun 100th day ideas!

The 100th day doesn’t have to be overwhelming, there are TONS of easy and low prep ideas to help your students have a blast and make it easy to plan for YOU.

🌟 Have a scavenger hunt for 100 items (erasers, candy, etc).
🌟Stations are my favorite management hack for the 100th day. They rotate through fun activities all day while you get to spend more time with each group.
🌟 Pocket chart games are easy and engaging. Students work together to hunt for the special item while practicing number sense, recognition, and patterns.
🌟 Would you rather is an easy way to get kiddos up and moving while connecting. This is a great no prep time filler!
🌟 Crowns are the perfect and quiet activity to show off all their learning and make a great keepsake. 

Learn about these activities and more with the link on my profile! You can also drop a 🥳 and I’ll share the link!
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Well this should be fun! 😝 What is something yo Well this should be fun! 😝 What is something you say 2451 times a day as a teacher? Let us know below! ⬇️
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It’s time for #tptfreebie Friday! 🥳 Grab thi It’s time for #tptfreebie Friday! 🥳

Grab this adorable and no prep color by code activity.

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Cheers to the weekend! 🥂What are you looking forward to this weekend?•••#elementaryteacher #teaching #classroom #teachingideas #classroomideas #education #handsonlearning #teachertribe #teacher #teachers#teacherlife #teacherproblems #firstgrade #firstgradeteacher #teachersfollowteachers #teachersofinstagram #teachersofig #iteach #iteachfirst #disneyteacher #igconnect4edu #teacherssupportteachers #teacherspayteachers #weareteachers #teacherstyle #teachermomlife #teachertravels #teacherweekend #teachermom ... See MoreSee Less

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One of my favorite tips from @missingtoothgrins 😂What candy is your favorite to collect this time of year? ••••#elementaryteacher #teaching #classroom #teachingideas #classroomideas #education #handsonlearning #teachertribe #teacher #teachers#teacherlife #teacherproblems #firstgrade #firstgradeteacher #teachersfollowteachers #teachersofinstagram #teachersofig #iteach #iteachfirst #teachingtips #igconnect4edu #teachermemes #teacherspayteachers #weareteachers #teacherhacks #classroomfun #teacherhumor #teacherquotes #classroomcommunity ... See MoreSee Less

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It’s World Read Aloud Day! 📖 @scholasticinc has live read alouds ALL DAY!! 👏Check them all out now with the link on my profile. What are you reading aloud today to your students?••••#elementaryteacher #teaching #classroom #teachingideas #classroomideas #education #handsonlearning #teachertribe #teacher #teachers#teacherlife #teacherproblems #firstgrade #firstgradeteacher #teachersfollowteachers #teachersofinstagram #teachersofig #iteach #iteachfirst #teachingtips #igconnect4edu #worldreadaloudday #teacherspayteachers #weareteachers #scholastic #classroomfun #makelearningfun #readaloud #classroomcommunity ... See MoreSee Less

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The 100th day of school is HUGE! It’s a time to celebrate all the hard work and learning done together. It marks an important time that signals that we’ve spent more than half the year together! There are so many fun, engaging, and simple ways to celebrate that make it a memorable experience for students. Swipe left to see some of the fun ways we’ve celebrated together and learn easy and engaging ways now with the link on my profile or drop a 🤩 and I’ll share the link!•••••#elementaryteacher #teaching #classroom #teachingideas #classroomideas #education #handsonlearning #teachertribe #teacher #teachers #teacherlife #teacherproblems #firstgrade #firstgradeteacher #teachersfollowteachers #teachersofig #igteachers #iteach #iteachfirst #kindergarten #igconnect4edu #teachershare #teacherspayteachers #weareteachers #makelearningfun #100thdayofschool #teachertips #classroomfun #100daysofschool #100thday ... See MoreSee Less

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  • Are you looking for ways to teach kindness to kids in the classroom? Today, I’m sharing my favorite teacher tips on helping your early elementary students understand kindness in the classroom. Some of my favorite kindness activities for kids is setting expectations and modeling kindness. We love reading, How Full Is Your Bucket? By Tom Rath and more. It’s important to role play ideas for kids in the classroom. Kindness anchor charts are great to create during whole group and small group lessons.
  • Do you need some ideas about teaching money to your first grade students? Check out my favorite teaching tips on money for kids. First, have your students watch some BrainPop Jr. videos and books about money for kids. Money anchor charts are fantastic to use during math whole group to better K-2 students' understanding. The CRA Math Model is perfect for understanding money for kids. I also share my favorite math centers like money puzzles, money bingo, and math money games!
  • Have you been looking for end of year classroom community activities? These classroom community building activities are perfect for your K-2 classroom! I love creating an end of year anchor chart so students can write down their favorite memories of first grade. K-2 students will love the balloon bulletin board countdown with themes. Early elementary students enjoy creating a reflection writing craft, first grade end of year memories, would you rather end of school year game, and much more!
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  • Have you been wondering what the benefits of reading aloud to children are? Today, I will share why reading aloud to children is important. Reading aloud increases children's vocabulary, building fluency, and reading comprehension. It’s important to teach elementary students how to choose the just right book. I love doing interactive read alouds and think alouds during my picture book reading. Check out how I incorporate writing about reading, building my classroom library, and reading at home.
  • Are you looking for ways to teach kindness to kids in the classroom? Today, I’m sharing my favorite teacher tips on helping your early elementary students understand kindness in the classroom. Some of my favorite kindness activities for kids is setting expectations and modeling kindness. We love reading, How Full Is Your Bucket? By Tom Rath and more. It’s important to role play ideas for kids in the classroom. Kindness anchor charts are great to create during whole group and small group lessons.
  • Have you been looking for end of year classroom community activities? These classroom community building activities are perfect for your K-2 classroom! I love creating an end of year anchor chart so students can write down their favorite memories of first grade. K-2 students will love the balloon bulletin board countdown with themes. Early elementary students enjoy creating a reflection writing craft, first grade end of year memories, would you rather end of school year game, and much more!
  • If you want to know more about the science of reading, now is your chance. Today, I will share why the science of reading is important to learn and understand for our elementary students. The 5 essential components that make up reading instruction are phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and reading comprehension. For K-2 students it is important to spend approximately 40% of your instructional block focusing on phonemic awareness skills and phonics skills.

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