Fractions - Improper to mixed numbers - Starter

The 'Fluent in Four' revision exercise for Year 5, set during the Spring Term on Week 4, Day 5, provides a series of fraction problems aimed at strengthening students' understanding of fractions. The tasks require students to perform various operations with fractions, such as addition, subtraction, and conversion between improper fractions and mixed numbers. One of the tasks involves completing sentences related to the concept of thirds, where students have to identify the number of thirds that make up wholes and additional parts. For example, they are asked to convert an improper fraction like 7/3 into a mixed number, which is 2 wholes and 1 third, and to fill in the blanks accordingly.

In addition to numerical questions, the exercise includes a spatial reasoning task. Students are presented with a grid of cells, labelled from A to X, and are challenged to identify a specific area based on comparative size. They must find a shape within the grid that has an area greater than one shape but less than another. Furthermore, the students must determine which seven cells to shade in order to create a symmetrical pattern. The correct cells for shading to achieve symmetry are identified as D, H, I, J, S, U, and V. This exercise not only tests students' knowledge of fractions and their properties but also encourages them to apply their understanding in different contexts, combining mathematical operations with logical reasoning and visual perception.