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Adding and Subtracting Fractions

Fifth graders learn why fractions must share a denominator before they can be added or subtracted, how to find a common one, and the vocabulary that goes with it.

Grade 5Adding and Subtracting Fractions55 minutes1 class periodGradual ReleaseExplicit teaching4 StandardsCommon Core
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Lesson at a Glance

Everything you need before the bell rings

Learning Objectives

Students will be able to…

  • ✓Add & subtract like fractions.
  • ✓Find a common denominator.
  • ✓Rename unlike fractions.
  • ✓Match each term.
Essential Question

You cannot add halves to quarters until the pieces are the same size. How do we rename fractions so they can finally be added or subtracted?

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Lesson Phases
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Vocabulary Terms
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Standards Aligned
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Interactive Task
Match It · Interactive

Match the Term

Project this and match each fraction term to what it means — tap a term, then tap its meaning.

🔗 Match each term to what it meansTry it
Term
What it means
Tap a term, then tap what it means.
The Lesson · Gradual Release (I Do · We Do · You Do)

55 minutes, five moves

Tap any phase to open the teacher moves and student actions.

1

Hook — Mismatched Slices

5 min

Can you add 1/2 of a pizza to 1/4 of a pizza just by adding the numbers?

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Show 1/2 + 1/4.
  • Ask why it is tricky.
  • Set the goal.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Think.
  • Share.
  • Get ready.
2

Use — Match the Term

12 min

Students match each fraction term to its meaning.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Send students to Match the Term.
  • Match each pair.
  • Note the meaning.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Match.
  • Say.
  • Note it.
3

Modify — Make Denominators Match

13 min

Students rename fractions to add them.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Find a common denominator.
  • Rename each fraction.
  • Add or subtract the numerators.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Find.
  • Rename.
  • Add.
4

Create — Build a Problem

15 min

Students write and solve a fraction problem.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Write an unlike-fraction problem.
  • Find the common denominator.
  • Solve and simplify.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Write.
  • Find.
  • Solve.
5

Reflect — Same Whole, Same Parts

5 min

Students reflect on why denominators must match.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Why must denominators match?
  • What stays the same when you add?
  • Complete the exit ticket.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Say it.
  • Say it.
  • Complete the exit ticket.
Standards Alignment

Built to the standards you report on

Aligned to the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics (High School Algebra II).

CCSS
5.NF.A.1

Add and subtract fractions with unlike denominators by replacing them with equivalent fractions.

CCSS
5.NF.A.2

Solve word problems involving addition and subtraction of fractions.

CCSS
4.NF.B.3

Understand addition and subtraction of fractions as joining and separating parts of the same whole.

CCSS
MP.7

Look for and make use of structure.

Differentiation

One lesson, every learner

Multilingual Learners

ELL / EMERGING READERS
  • Term + meaning cards.
  • Sentence frame: “The ___ is the bottom number.”
  • Match one pair at a time.

Support & Access

IEP / 504
  • Start with like fractions.
  • Use fraction bars to rename pieces.
  • Add numerators only, after matching bottoms.

Stretch & Extend

GIFTED / EARLY FINISHERS
  • Add mixed numbers with regrouping.
  • Find the least common denominator.
  • Solve multi-step fraction word problems.
Materials

What to gather

  • 📽️Projector / board
  • 🧁Fraction bars / strips
  • 💻Match the Term
  • 📐Grid paper
  • ✏️Pencils
  • 🎫Exit-ticket slips
Vocabulary

Key terms — hover for a quick definition

numeratorthe top number of a fraction; how many parts you havedenominatorthe bottom number of a fraction; how many equal parts in the wholelike fractionsfractions that have the same denominatorunlike fractionsfractions that have different denominatorscommon denominatora shared denominator used to add or subtract fractionsequivalent fractiona fraction that names the same amount as anothermixed numbera whole number together with a fraction, like 1 1/2simplifyto write a fraction in its simplest form
Evaluate

Exit Ticket

Preview the three formative checks. Tap “Sample answer” to see what mastery looks like — hide them before you print for students.

QUESTION 1
Why must fractions have a common denominator before you add them?
Because you can only add parts that are the same size (the same kind of piece).
QUESTION 2
How do you add 1/2 and 1/4?
Rename 1/2 as 2/4, then add: 2/4 + 1/4 = 3/4.
QUESTION 3
When you add like fractions, what stays the same?
The denominator stays the same; you add only the numerators.

Create: build a problem.

Have students write an addition or subtraction problem with unlike denominators, find a common denominator, and solve and simplify the answer. A printable fractions worksheet is in the Mathematics library.

Study · Flashcards

Study the key terms

Tap a card to flip it, then rate whether you knew it. Built from this lesson’s vocabulary.

🃏 Adding and Subtracting FractionsFlip
Card 1
Term
Tap to flip →
Meaning
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Practice · Quiz

Check your understanding

A quick self-check with instant feedback, drawn from this lesson’s key terms.

📝 Adding and Subtracting FractionsQuiz
Score: 0
1 / 6
Question 1
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Practice · Worksheet

Printable worksheet

A print-and-go review sheet with a built-in answer key. Tap “Show answer key” to reveal answers, or print the clean version for students.

🖨️ Adding and Subtracting FractionsPrint
Name: ________________________
Date: ____________

Part A · Write the word that matches each meaning

Word bank: common denominator, denominator, equivalent fraction, like fractions, mixed number, numerator, simplify, unlike fractions
  1. fractions that have different denominators
  2. a shared denominator used to add or subtract fractions
  3. a whole number together with a fraction, like 1 1/2
  4. to write a fraction in its simplest form
  5. fractions that have the same denominator
  6. a fraction that names the same amount as another
  7. the top number of a fraction; how many parts you have
  8. the bottom number of a fraction; how many equal parts in the whole

Part B · Show what you learned

  1. Why must fractions have a common denominator before you add them?
  2. How do you add 1/2 and 1/4?
  3. When you add like fractions, what stays the same?
Answer key — Part A: 1) unlike fractions · 2) common denominator · 3) mixed number · 4) simplify · 5) like fractions · 6) equivalent fraction · 7) numerator · 8) denominator
Part B: 1) Because you can only add parts that are the same size (the same kind of piece). 2) Rename 1/2 as 2/4, then add: 2/4 + 1/4 = 3/4. 3) The denominator stays the same; you add only the numerators.