'Simplifying fractions' tutor notes

The 'Simplifying fractions' module is aimed at level 1 of the Basic Skills Curriculum.
This module covers material in N2/L1.1 by looking at 'read, writer, order and compare common fractions and mixed number. Know common equivalent fractions, e.g. equivalent to a half, quarters, thirds, fifth, tenths. Understand that in unit fractions, the larger the denominator, the smaller the fraction, but that this is not true of non-unit fractions.'.

We'd love to hear your comments on the module; do you like the factsheets, what do you think of the worksheets? Send in your and your students' feedback.

How does this tie in with the new curriculums?

• England
  N2/L1.1 - Know common equivalent fractions, e.g. equivalent to a half, quarters, thirds, fifth, tenths.
• 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 activity
In this activity 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 by creating fractions from the numbers 1 to 10 on each side of the screen. The fractions created are represented in the graphics. (Fractions greater than one or with zero on the bottom both cause pop-up message and the activity continues.) The learner can experiment to find those that match, eg 3/9 and 1/3.
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 a given fraction.
- keep the number on the bottom the same and increase the number on top one at a time.

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.

Simplifying fractions factsheets
You'll find curriculum references in the top right hand corner of the factsheets.
There are four factsheets for this module, each on 'print-out-and-keep' sheets:

• Factsheet 1 - Simplifying fractions, introduction.
• Factsheet 2 - Further explanation of simplifying fractions.
• Factsheet 3 - Explains how some fractions can not be simplified.
• Factsheet 4 - Looks at simplifying 'top-heavy' fractions.
• Factsheet 5 - Further explanation of simplifying 'top-heavy' fractions.
• Factsheet 6 - Looks at fractions which can be simplified several times.

Simplifying fractions worksheets
There are 3 worksheets. 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 - Questions on simplifying fractions.
• Worksheet 2 - Questions on simplifying to whole numbers.
• Worksheet 3 - Questions on improper fractions.
• Worksheet 4 - Questions on fractions that cannot be simplified.

Simplifying fractions quiz
The quiz has questions on simplifying fractions.

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.

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:

With Skillswise
When covering this topic your students might like to try some quizzes from the In the news archive, many of which test knowledge of fractions.

Don't forget to visit Lesson plans and Teaching inspirations for more ideas for teaching simplifying fractions.

With the web
Here are some suggestions of other places on the web you might find useful for teaching simplifying fractions:

• http://www.aaamath.com/B/fra66hx2.htm
  A simple explanation of simplifying fractions that might help students still confused.
• http://amby.com/educate/math/2-2_simp.html
  This site contains a really good explanation of simplifying fractions and also has a little quiz where students can test their knowledge of the subject.
• Visual fractions
  A New Zealand website which offers instruction and practice in identifying, renaming, and operating on fractions. All examples are modelled with number lines or circles.
• CoolMath4Kids - Simplifying Fractions
  Although this is an American maths site for children, it contains a really useful and simple explanation of fractions and how to simplify them.

Please note that the BBC is not responsible for the content of other websites.

Do you know of any great online resources for simplifying fractions? Tell us about them!