Multiplying Fractions by Fractions - PowerPoint

The PowerPoint presentation on 'Multiplying Fractions by Fractions' is a comprehensive resource aimed at Year 6 students to help them understand how to multiply fractions. The teaching material introduces the concept by posing a scenario where a character named Sara eats a fraction of a pizza and then another fraction of what's left, prompting students to calculate the remaining fraction. The lesson emphasises the use of area models as a visual aid for students to better grasp the multiplication process. For instance, by dividing an area model into quarters and then horizontally into halves, students can see how the model is split into eighths, and the shaded area represents the fraction of interest.

The resource continues to explore multiplying fractions using area models, such as splitting a model into fifths and thirds, which results in 15 equal parts. Students learn to identify the shaded area that corresponds to the product of the two fractions. The presentation also addresses the multiplication of non-unit fractions (fractions with numerators other than one), reminding students to always simplify their answers. To consolidate learning, the PowerPoint provides worksheets where students can practice the skills they've learnt, such as shading area models to solve multiplication problems and filling in missing numbers in calculations. The material encourages students to recognise patterns in multiplication calculations, such as multiplying numerators together and denominators together, and to use this method to solve further questions. The worksheets come with answers, allowing students to check their work and understand common mistakes, such as confusing addition with multiplication in fraction calculations.