Fractions - Add and Subtract Fractions - Presentation

In a series of fluency teaching slides, students are introduced to the foundational skills of adding and subtracting fractions with identical denominators. The key concept highlighted is that when dealing with fractions, only the numerators—the top numbers—should be added or subtracted, leaving the denominators unchanged. To aid understanding, students are encouraged to use bar models, a visual representation, to explain why this is the case. The slides present a variety of exercises, including calculating sums like 5/7 plus 4/7 and differences such as 4/5 minus 1/5, where students can apply this principle and visualize the process using bar models.

Further activities challenge students to solve more complex problems involving the addition and subtraction of fractions. They are tasked with using bar models to calculate expressions like 3/5 plus 1/5 and 8/9 minus 6/9, converting improper fractions to mixed numbers when necessary. The slides also incorporate reasoning exercises, such as finding different ways to balance equations using fractions and applying these skills to real-world scenarios like sharing a pizza. Throughout the lesson, students are prompted to discuss their methods, consider the number of equal parts needed for their bar models, and understand how these models can help them achieve accurate answers.