Adding and Subtracting Fractions with Unlike Denominators Digital Boom Cards™
- PDF
- Internet Activities
- Easel Activity
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Description
Practice and review addition and subtraction of fractions with unlike denominators in this engaging online breakout. The puzzles in this digital escape room are based on 5th grade math standard 5.NF.A.1, but can this product can be used for challenging advance fourth graders or for remediation in 6th grade. Instead of winning prizes at the arcade, your students need to earn tickets to get a key to escape the arcade! This activity can be completed either in class or online for distance learning. There are no clues to hide, the problems are self-checking and the entire process is automated by Boom Cards™ (please see note below on how to use Boom Cards), making this activity easy to implement. Students will race to "Whack-a-Fraction" in one game, win a ticket by finding a magic word using numerators and denominators, and much more. There are a total of six puzzles in this escape activity. An optional student recording page is included in the pdf to help students work out some of the puzzles.
The puzzles in this escape room will require students to add and subtract fractions with unlike denominators (Fifth grade math standard 5.NF.A.1) by using visual models or creating equivalent expressions with common denominators in order to solve. Some answers will need to be reduced before being entered into the form. A simple substitution cipher is included in this activity, as well as a rather challenging logic puzzle related to adding fractions.
This escape room is based on fifth grade math standard 5.NF.A.1 and offers students a chance to solve problems with fractions using visual models as well as finding a common denominator. *Please note that this product does not include problems with mixed-number or improper fractions. No regrouping is required to solve these problems. For a more challenging escape room that includes regrouping as well as mixed-numbers, please check out our Catch the Recipe Thief Digital Escape Room.
This online escape room is a great way to practice or review addition and subtraction of fractions and encourage cooperative learning among students. It is recommended that this digital breakout be completed in pairs or small groups, but it can be used by students individually.
To use Boom Cards™, you must be connected to the Internet. Boom Cards™ play on modern browsers (Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and Edge). Apps are available for modern Android, iPads, iPhones, and Kindle Fires. For security and privacy, adults must have a Boom Learning account to use and assign Boom Cards. You will be able to assign the Boom Cards you are buying with “Fast Pins,” (a form of play that gives instant feedback to students for self-grading Boom Cards). For assignment options that report student progress back to you, you will need to purchase a premium account. If you are new to Boom Learning, you will be offered a free trial of our premium account. Read here for details: http://bit.ly/BoomTrial.
Skills required to complete the puzzles:
- Use visual models to add and subtract fractions with unlike denominators
- Find the smallest common denominator for adding two fractions
- Create equivalent fractions in order to make common denominators to add and subtract fractions
- Solve a substitution cipher (alphabet cipher where A=1, B=2... Z=26)
- Reduce fractions
- Solve a logic puzzle related to adding fractions *Please see the preview! This is a challenging puzzle.
- Closely read clues and pay attention to details
What is included in the PDF?
- Link to access the Boom Cards
- Easy to follow instructions
- Detailed answer key
- Teacher Tips
- Optional recording page for students to show their equations and visual models
- Optional success signs to snap a photo with to celebrate escaping the arcade.
FAQ
- How long will this take? That is the hardest question as the answer varies depending on each classroom, student, or group. Some students with a firm grasp on the concepts covered in this escape room will be able to complete the challenge very quickly (20 minutes), others will take longer. The majority of students will take 45-55 minutes. Requiring students to use the recording form will increase the amount of time required to complete the puzzles.
- Will students have to search the web to figure out the puzzles? NO! All of the information needed will be provided in the Boom Deck™. The math in this activity is all standards-based.
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