Grade Levels: 3-5, K-3

In this lesson plan which is adaptable for grades 2-5, students use BrainPOP resources (including an online game) to explore equal parts, equal splitting, fractions, equivalent fractions, and other math concepts.

Lesson Plan Common Core State Standards Alignments

Students will:

  1. Describe fractions as equal parts of a whole
  2. Explain the meaning of the denominator and numerator

Materials:

  • Computers with internet access for BrainPOP

Preparation:

The goal of the Slice Fractions Game is for kids to discover important concepts behind fractions in a fun way to prepare them for the more formal learning that follows.

In this lesson plan, students will gradually learn concepts such as even splitting, fraction comparison, etc. through induction during game play, as each puzzle requires them to discover these concepts in order to solve them. You can then use game levels as a reference point to develop the concept further, introducing and formally explaining terms like “equivalent fractions.”

Lesson Procedure:

  1. Play the BrainPOP Jr. Basic Parts of a Whole video for the class.
  2. Display the Hard Quiz and take it together as a class. Use each question as a springboard for discussion in order to determine students' prior knowledge and get them excited to learn more.
  3. Tell students they will have the opportunity to explore equal groupings and splitting groups into squares through an online game called Slice Fractions. Explain they will be popping balloons, slicing ice, and solving fraction mysteries to guide a woolly mammoth across rough terrain, and challenge students to collect as many crazy hats for the mammoth as possible.
  4. Allow students to explore the game independently or with a partner for approximately 10-15 minutes.
  5. Once the majority of the class has finished the first five levels (which reinforce splitting group concepts), have students pause in their game play to discuss strategies. How did they avoid dropping too much ice? How has order of operations been important when dropping blocks onto the right spot? What connections did they make between the lava and equal splitting?
  6. Allow students to continue playing the game for another 10-15 minutes to explore the slicing shapes levels.
  7. Ask students to share (with a partner or the whole class) their strategies for finding the required number of ways to slice the lava blocks.
  8. Over the course of the next several days, provide time for students to explore later levels of the game. Use BrainPOP Jr. videos and features from the Fractions Unit to introduce key vocabulary terms and help students develop formal explanations for the concepts they have explored during game play.