Primary 2 Fractions at home

Fold or draw one strip into four equal parts. Shade three. The same-sized whole must be used whenever you compare pictures.

Ask: “How many equal parts make the whole? How many are shaded? How many are unshaded?” Listen for: 4 equal parts; 3 shaded; 1 unshaded.

Say “three fourths” (or “three quarters”), then write the fraction. Ask about the unshaded part too: one fourth is unshaded.

Ask: “Which part is the question asking for?” Point to those parts before writing. This prevents counting the shaded part when the question says unshaded.

Draw two strips of the same length. For like fractions, count the shaded pieces when the denominator matches.

Five eighths is greater than three eighths because 5 shaded eighths cover more than 3.

Ask: “Are the wholes the same size? Which has more shaded eighths?” Then draw one third and one fourth: with the same whole, one third is larger because thirds are larger pieces.

Colour 2 eighths teal, then 3 more eighths orange on one strip. Count the coloured parts together.

Ask: “How many eighths altogether? Did the size of an eighth change?” Listen for: 5 eighths; the denominator stays 8.

Shade 8 twelfths. Cross out 3 of those shaded twelfths, then count what remains.

Ask: “Which pieces were removed? How many shaded twelfths are left?” Listen for: 5 twelfths remain; the denominator stays 12.

Let your child point or draw before answering. Cover the answer key while they work.

• Unequal pieces cannot be named as equal fourths, eighths or twelfths.
• Read shaded or unshaded before counting.
• For like fractions, keep the denominator; do not add or subtract denominators.