Fractions - Add Mixed Numbers (Activity) - Planning

The lesson plan for Year 5 students in their Spring term focuses on the skill of adding mixed numbers. The key objective of the lesson is for children to combine mixed numbers and improper fractions by using a systematic approach that involves adding whole numbers and fractional parts separately. The children are expected to demonstrate their understanding by presenting their answers in the simplest form. The lesson is structured with a variety of activities starting with a discussion to define a mixed number and differentiate it from proper and improper fractions. A step-by-step method is modelled to show how to add mixed numbers with the same denominators by first combining the whole numbers and then the fractional parts.

As the lesson progresses, the complexity increases with the introduction of mixed numbers that have different denominators. Students learn to find a common multiple to create equivalent fractions, which then allows them to add the whole numbers and fractions as before. Visual aids such as bar models are used to help students understand the concept, especially when fractional parts add up to a whole or exceed it. The lesson culminates with a series of questions that challenge students to apply their learning to add mixed numbers and improper fractions in various scenarios. Throughout the lesson, students work in pairs or individually, and they are encouraged to reflect on the skills they have used and the concepts they found challenging. The lesson plan also offers differentiated support and strategies for students working at different levels of understanding, from those needing concrete visual aids to those who can perform some calculations mentally.