A focused Grade 4 learning session for Adding and Subtracting Fractions with Like Denominators using visual models, worked examples, strategy guidance, and a short mastery check.
Student goal: I can add and subtract fractions with the same denominator.
Adding and Subtracting Fractions with Like Denominators means using equal parts, number lines, and clear fraction language to describe parts of a whole.
Question: The fraction bar below shows \(\frac{1}{4}+\frac{2}{4}\). Which description matches it?
Why it works: The bar shows 4 equal parts. One part shaded for \(\frac{1}{4}\), then 2 more shaded for \(\frac{2}{4}\). That makes 3 shaded parts: \(\mathbf{\frac{3}{4}}\).
Answer: Shows \(\frac{3}{4}\)
Question: Which number line shows \(\frac{3}{4}+\frac{1}{4}=1\)?
Answer: Starts at 0, hops to \(\frac{3}{4}\), then to 1
Question: What is \(\frac{3}{2}-\frac{1}{2}\)?
Answer: \(1\)
Question: Ming has a ribbon that is \(\frac{5}{8}\) meter long. She cuts off \(\frac{3}{8}\) meter. How much ribbon remains?
Why it works: Ming's ribbon started at \(\frac{5}{8}\) meter. She cut off \(\frac{3}{8}\) meter, leaving \(5 - 3 = 2\) eighths: \(\mathbf{\frac{2}{8}}\) meter.
Answer: \(\frac{2}{8}\) meter
Adding and Subtracting Fractions with Like Denominators becomes easier when students connect the question to a model, use clear steps, and explain why the answer fits.
Equal parts first, fraction name second.
Use scratch paper. The explanation matters more than simply seeing whether the choice is correct.
What is \(\frac{3}{8}+\frac{2}{8}\)?
Answer B: \(\frac{5}{8}\)
Same denominator means we just combine numerators: \(3 + 2 = 5\), so \(\mathbf{\frac{5}{8}}\).
Sam ate \(\frac{2}{6}\) of a pizza and Ming ate \(\frac{3}{6}\) of the same pizza. How much of the pizza did they eat together?
Answer A: \(\frac{5}{6}\)
Sam and Ming both ate pieces with the same-sized slices. Together: \(2 + 3 = 5\) slices, so \(\mathbf{\frac{5}{6}}\) of the pizza.
The fraction bar below shows \(\frac{1}{4}+\frac{2}{4}\). Which description matches it?
Answer A: Shows 3 shaded parts out of 4
The bar shows 4 equal parts. One part shaded for \(\frac{1}{4}\), then 2 more shaded for \(\frac{2}{4}\). That makes 3 shaded parts: \(\mathbf{\frac{3}{4}}\).
What is \(\frac{4}{10}+\frac{5}{10}\)?
Answer B: \(\frac{9}{10}\)
Same denominator, same rule: add the numerators (\(4 + 5 = 9\)), keep the denominator. Answer: \(\mathbf{\frac{9}{10}}\).
Ava has \(\frac{2}{5}\) of a candy bar. Diego gives her \(\frac{2}{5}\) more. How much candy does Ava have now?
Answer B: \(\frac{4}{5}\)
Ava starts with \(\frac{2}{5}\) and Diego adds \(\frac{2}{5}\) more. With the same-size fifths, we get \(2 + 2 = 4\) fifths: \(\mathbf{\frac{4}{5}}\).
What is \(\frac{5}{6}-\frac{2}{6}\)?
Answer A: \(\frac{3}{6}\)
Same denominator for subtraction too! Just subtract numerators: \(5 - 2 = 3\), keep the denominator. Result: \(\mathbf{\frac{3}{6}}\).
A number line shows hops from 0 to \(\frac{2}{3}\), then another hop to \(\frac{4}{3}\). What operation does this show?
Answer A: \(\frac{2}{3}+\frac{2}{3}\)
The number line starts at 0, hops right by \(\frac{2}{3}\), then hops right by \(\frac{2}{3}\) again, landing at \(\frac{4}{3}\). That's \(\frac{2}{3}+\frac{2}{3}=\frac{4}{3}\).
What is \(\frac{1}{4}+\frac{3}{4}\)?
Answer B: \(\frac{4}{4}\) or \(1\)
Add numerators: \(1 + 3 = 4\). We get \(\frac{4}{4}\), which is one whole. When the top and bottom match, it equals \(\mathbf{1}\).
Mia jogged \(\frac{3}{8}\) of a mile. Then she jogged \(\frac{4}{8}\) more. How far did she jog in total?
Answer A: \(\frac{7}{8}\) mile
Mia jogged two sections: \(\frac{3}{8}\) and then \(\frac{4}{8}\) more. Combining same-size eighths: \(3 + 4 = 7\), so \(\mathbf{\frac{7}{8}}\) mile.
Which expression equals \(1\)?
Answer C: \(\frac{5}{6}+\frac{1}{6}\)
Check each: A equals \(\frac{4}{5}\) (less), B equals \(\frac{4}{3}\) (more), C equals \(\mathbf{1}\), D equals \(\frac{5}{4}\) (more). Only C = \(\frac{5}{6}+\frac{1}{6}=1\).
What is \(\frac{7}{10}-\frac{3}{10}\)?
Answer B: \(\frac{4}{10}\)
Subtraction with same denominator: \(7 - 3 = 4\), keep the denominator. Answer: \(\mathbf{\frac{4}{10}}\).
