'Comparing fractions and percentages' tutor notes

The aim of the Comparing fractions and percentages topic area is to remind learners how to recognise equivalencies between common fractions and percentages.

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How does this tie in with the new curriculums?

• England
  N2/L1.3 - Recognise equivalencies between common fractions, percentages and decimals and use these to find part of whole number quantities.
  
• Wales
  As England.
• Northern Ireland
  As England.
• Scotland
  See www.aloscotland.com for details of the Scottish curriculum.

In the Skillswise module you'll find:

Comparing fractions and percentages activity
In this activity percentages and fractions are represented side by side in four ways: by filling jugs with water, by shading figures in a group, by dividing up a pizza and by cutting up a bar of chocolate.
The learner can experiment freely choosing from a list of given percentages on one side of the screen and by creating fractions from the numbers 1 to 10 on the other. The fractions and percentages created are represented in the graphics. (Fractions greater than one or with zero on the bottom both generate a pop-up message and the activity continues.) The learner can experiment to find those that match, eg 50% and 1/2.
This activity is open ended and could be used to set tasks for the learner, eg find as many fractions as you can that match 50%.

TOP TIP! To see the activity completely full screen, press the F11 key on the keyboard. This takes away the distraction of the top browser bar. To bring the browser bar back, just press F11 again!

To play the activity you will need to have Flash Version 5 plug-in for you browser. If you are not sure just give it a go. If it doesn't work then see the 'Technical help' section below on this page on how to get the Flash plug-in.

Comparing fractions and percentages game
This is a pairs game where the learner has to match equivalent fractions, decimals or percentages. At the start of the game the learner can choose to match fractions and decimals, decimals and percentages, fractions and percentages or compare all three. There are three levels within the game, level A the easiest and level C the hardest with more pairs to match.
This game has sound. Make sure the learner turns the speakers on or plugs in their headphones.

TOP TIP! To see the game completely full screen, press the F11 key on the keyboard. This takes away the distraction of the top browser bar. To bring the browser bar back, just press F11 again!

To play the game you will need to have Flash Version 4 plug-in for you browser. If you are not sure just give it a go. If it doesn't work then see the 'Technical help' section below on this page on how to get the Flash plug-in.

Comparing fractions and percentages quiz
The learner can choose their level. Level A is the easiest, level C the hardest.
Students can print out a certificate if they score 50% or more in the quiz. This will appear as a link on the results page - click on the link and the certificate will appear in a new window. Students can write their name on the certificate once it's printed.

Comparing fractions and percentages factsheets
You'll find curriculum references in the bottom left hand corner of the factsheets.
There are five factsheets for this module, on 'print-out-and-keep' sheets:

• Factsheet 1 - A table of common equivalent fractions and percentages.
• Factsheet 2 - Fractions that have the same value.
• Factsheet 3 - Changing fractions to percentages.
• Factsheet 4 - Changing percentages to fractions.
• Factsheet 5 - Percentages and fractions glossary.

Comparing fractions and percentages worksheet
There are five worksheets in this section. You'll find curriculum references in the top right hand corner of the worksheets. They are printable resources to carry on the work learners have done online.

• Worksheet 1 - comparing fractions and percentages.
• Worksheet 2 - dividing up food.
• Worksheet 3 - comparing fractions and percentages with money.
• Worksheet 4 - working out savings discounts.
• Worksheet 5 - comparing prices in two shop sales.

Technical help:

To get the most out of this topic area you need the following 'plug-ins':

• Flash
  The game in this topic section uses Flash. This is free to download and should only take a few minutes. You can follow the BBC WebWise instructions to download it to your machine.
  Find out more.

If you don't have Flash the same learning points are covered in the quiz and in the worksheets and factsheets.
If you are new to the web, why not try the BBC WebWise online course, Becoming WebWise? It's free, you can do it in your own time from any computer and it will take you through everything you need to know to use the web successfully in your teaching.
Get WebWise.

You can find out more about the technical requirements for Skillswise in our Help - Technical Information section.

Taking it further:

Here's a suggestion of another place on the web that you might find a useful resource for teaching equivalencies between common fractions, percentages and decimals.

• KS2 Bitesize
  Bitesize is a site linked to the Key Stage 2 National Tests. In the Fractions and Percentages sections there are activities, printable factsheets, worksheets and tests.

Do you know of any great online resources for practising comparing fractions and percentages? Tell us about them!