Mixed Numbers
Background Information & Activities

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Before beginning this topic, you may want to explore the other movies in the Fractions unit. This movie will build upon the concepts that are covered in other fraction movies and introduce mixed numbers.

Remind children that a fraction is a number that shows part of a whole. Take a piece of a paper and fold it into quarters. Then color one quarter blue. Ask children to name the fraction of the paper that is blue (one-fourth) and the fraction that is not blue (three-fourths). Write the fractions on the board and explain that the denominator, or bottom number of the fraction, represents the total number of equal parts. The numerator, or top number of the fraction, represents the number of parts that is being discussed or counted. For review, you may want to repeat the demonstration again by folding paper in half or eighths.

Explain to children that a mixed number is a number that shows both wholes and parts of a whole. Show two and a half apples. What fraction represents the number of apples you have? Have children count the whole apples first and then add on the half. Write the mixed fraction 2½ on the board, noting how we do not add a space or add any other symbol between the whole number and the fraction. Repeat the activity showing different fractions of fruit to represent different mixed numbers. Be sure to use a combination of unit fractions, such as one-fourth, one-half, and one-third, and fractions where the numerator is not one.

Then, challenge children to write down mixed fractions and draw or make a model to represent each number. Mixed numbers can be confusing for some children, so we recommend doing plenty of hands-on activities and providing a lot of practice.

See more lesson plans and resources: BrainPOP Educators.

Mixed Numbers Teacher Activities

© 1999-2012 BrainPOP. All rights reserved.

Mixed Up Fractions

Give each small group of students a set of cards with the numerals 1 through 9 and a card with a fraction bar drawn on it. Then show a set of items to the class, such as three and a quarter oranges. Have each group create the mixed number that represents the set using their cards. Repeat the activity several times and then invite students to come up with their own mixed numbers to challenge the class. Be sure to walk around to different groups and make sure students created their mixed numbers correctly.

Reading the Paper

Name a mixed fraction, such as 4¼. Then have students represent the mixed number in some way. They may want to draw pictures, collect items into a set, or fold pieces of paper and color in equal parts. Encourage students to be creative! Have them share their work with the whole class. How many different ways can the class show a mixed number?

Mixed Numbers Family Activities

© 1999-2012 BrainPOP. All rights reserved.

Eat a Fraction

Prepare a healthy snack for your child, such as carrot or celery sticks or pieces of fruit. Then challenge your child to eat a fraction of their food. For example, you might say, "Eat one and a half sticks of celery." You may want to cut up the snacks to help your child divide the food into equal parts. Then have your child challenge you to eat a fraction of your snacks. Be sure to "accidentally" eat an incorrect amount so your child can correct you.

Fraction Strips

Create fraction strips for your child to use. You can take strips of paper and divide them into equal sections, such as halves, quarters, thirds, eighths, or even twelfths. Leave several strips uncut to represent whole numbers. Then have your child use the fraction strips to model a mixed number. Guess what mixed number your child is representing, then switch roles and repeat the activity.