Fraction/Decimal War

This lesson plan introduces a game that will reinforce fractions and decimals. This activity is best played in groups of 3-4. You may choose to use as an activity when work is completed or as a center activity.

A lesson plan for grades 4–5 Mathematics

By Christine Sisco

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Learning outcomes

This lesson is meant to reinforce student understanding of decimals in comparison to fractions as well as mixed numbers. It will reinforce student concepts in a small group independent activity.

Teacher planning

Time required for lesson

1 hour

Materials/resources

Copy the fractions and decimals (located in the supplemental materials section of this plan) onto a white sheet of paper and cut into squares. Reinforce with a sheet of construction paper and cut out sheets into individual cards. Laminate all prepared numeral cards.

Pre-activities

Before introducing this activity to students you must introduce the concept of fractions, decimals and money. You must also introduce the relationship between fractions, decimals and mixed numbers. The game will help to continue reinforcement of these skills.

Activities

1. Begin the activity by arranging the class into groups so that there are four groups and you (individually) are considered as the fifth group.
2. Elect a team leader in each group. Distribute the cards to the team leader and yourself.
3. At the same time have each team member and yourself flip one card over. Write all the numbers on the board (or overhead). Write each number as the complimentary term.

For example, if the number is a fraction, write as a decimal and if it is a decimal, write as a fraction.
Ex. .25 = 1/4

Ask students to identify fraction/decimal in least to greatest order (you may prefer greatest to least order).

The team that had the highest card is the winning team and needs to collect all cards from that set. Play continues until all cards have been shown. The winning team is the team that has the most cards.

If there is a tie between two cards, there is a war between the two teams. Three cards are laid face down and the fourth card is flipped over. The greatest number is the winner of all cards and then play continues.

4. Follow up with a team activity:
   1. Arrange students into groups of four and give a set of war cards.
   2. Select a team leader that will distribute the cards to all team members.
   3. Instruct the team leaders to pass out cards around the team until all the cards have been distributed.
   4. Remind them that all players are to flip their cards at the same time. Once they have discovered the equivalent number they can evaluate who has the highest amount and they win that set.
   5. Continue play until all cards have been shown.
   6. The winner is the member that has the highest amount of cards.

   Assessment

   Assessment can be based on observation of team work skills, figuring of equivalent terms, and by the submission of a math journal entry reflecting on the experience.

   Supplemental information

   0.98, 1.2, 1 9/10, $0.80, 2.2, 1 2/100, $0.90, $2.02, 2.2, 2.02, 2 2/100, 9/10, 2 1/2, $2.03, $1.09, 0.99, $1.50, 0.9, 0.8, $2.42, 2 13/100, 2.05, 1.89, 2 2/100, 1.25, 1 9/10, $1.90, 80/100, $1.02, 1.89, 1 89/100, 1.9, 2 2/10, $0.80, 1 2/100, 2.35, 1.5, $1.26, 2 12/100, 0.8, $1.02, $2.29, 2.5, 2 12/100, $2.29, 2 13/100, 1 2/10, $0.98, 2 1/2, 9/10, 2.22, 2.23,80/100, 0.9, $2.20, 1.25, $0.09, 1 9/10 0.99, 1 9/10, $0.98, 0.98, $1.92, $1.92, $1.26, 1 2/10, $1.90, 1 1/2, 2.05, 2.23, 2.22, $2.42, 2.35, $2.03, 2.5, $2.20, 2 2/10, 1.2