Simplifying fractions worksheet

In a worksheet designed for KS2 students, the focus is on simplifying fractions, a key mathematical skill. The worksheet is structured into three engaging activities that help children practice and understand the concept of simplifying fractions. Activity 2 involves an interactive task where students work in pairs with proper fraction digit cards and a sorting grid. They are required to categorise fractions based on specific criteria provided in the columns of the grid. Each child must then articulate their reasoning for placing the fractions in those columns. This activity can be varied by changing the criteria in the columns to challenge the students further.

The first activity encourages creativity and consolidation of learning. Children are asked to use large sheets of plain paper and coloured marker pens to create a poster that outlines the steps for simplifying fractions. As an alternative, they can create a rap to help them remember the simplification process. Activity 3 utilises whiteboards and pens, where students are presented with a simplified fraction, such as ⅛, and they must deduce the original fraction from which it was simplified. After a few minutes of working out possible answers, they share their results and explain the process they used to confirm that ⅛ is the simplest form of their fraction. This activity can be varied by introducing a timer for added challenge or by using different simple fractions. These activities aim to help students use common factors to simplify fractions and use common multiples to express fractions in the same denomination.