Fractions - Add 2 or more fractions (Using Models)- Starter

In an engaging lesson designed for Year 4 students during the Spring Term, the focus is on adding two or more fractions using models. The lesson starts with a colourful bar model activity where students are asked to colour a certain number of parts in different colours and then identify the fraction of each colour in tenths. For example, they colour 3 parts blue and 7 parts yellow, then write down the fraction of the bar that is blue, the fraction that is yellow, and the total fraction that is coloured. This visual approach helps students grasp the concept of fractions in a tangible and interactive way.

Further into the lesson, students are encouraged to solve calculations using physical equipment, such as base-ten blocks or counters, to deepen their understanding of subtraction. They are tasked with explaining the steps they took with the equipment to arrive at their answers, reinforcing their numerical reasoning. Additionally, the lesson includes a comparison exercise where students use the greater than, less than, or equal to symbols to compare fractions, enhancing their ability to evaluate and order fractions. The lesson also incorporates subtraction problems with larger numbers, where students apply their knowledge of place value to perform calculations such as subtracting one number from another and figuring out the difference.