Word (.docx)
Acrobat (.pdf)
Examples
Shanice had a sleepover and her mom is making French toast in the morning. If her mom had
loaves of bread and used 
loaves for the French toast, how much bread does she have left?
Clarifications
Clarification 1: Instruction includes the use of visual models and equations to represent the problem.Benchmark Instructional Guide
Connecting Benchmarks/Horizontal Alignment
Terms from the K-12 Glossary
- NA
Vertical Alignment
Previous Benchmarks
Next Benchmarks
Purpose and Instructional Strategies
The purpose of this benchmark is to continue the work from grade 4 where students began solving real-world with fractions, and prepares them for grade 6 (MA.6.NSO.2.3) where they will solve real-world fraction problems using all four operations with fractions (MTR.7.1).- Students need to develop an understanding that when adding or subtracting fractions, the fractions must refer to the same whole.
- During instruction, teachers should provide opportunities for students to practice solving problems using models or drawings to add, subtract or multiply with fractions. Begin with students modeling with whole numbers, have them explain how they used the model or drawing to arrive at the solution, then scaffold using the same methodology using fraction models.
- Models to consider when solving fraction problems should include, but are not limited to, area models (rectangles), linear models (fraction strips/bars and number lines) and set models (counters) (MTR.2.1).
- Please note that it is not expected for students to always find least common multiples or make fractions greater than 1 into mixed numbers, but it is expected that students know and understand equivalent fractions, including naming fractions greater than 1 as mixed numbers to add, subtract or multiply.
- It is important that teachers have students rename the fractions with a common denominator when solving addition and subtraction fraction problems in lieu of the “butterfly” method (or other shortcut/mnemonic) to ensure students build a complete conceptual understanding of what makes solving addition and subtraction of fractions problems true.
Common Misconceptions or Errors
- When solving real-world problems, students can often confuse contexts that require subtraction and multiplication of fractions.
- For example, “Mark has yards of rope and he gives half of the rope to a friend. How much rope does Mark have left?” expects students to find of , or multiply × to find the product that represents how much is given to the friend. On the other hand, “Mark has yards of rope and gives yard of rope to a friend. How much rope does Mark have left?” expects students to take yard from yard, or subtract − to find the difference. Encourage students to look for the units in the problem (e.g., yard versus of the whole rope) to determine the appropriate operation.
- Students may believe that multiplication always results in a larger number. Using models when multiplying with fractions will enable students to generalize about multiplication algorithms that are based on conceptual understanding (MTR.5.1).
- Students can have difficulty with word problems when determining which operation to use, and the stress of working with fractions makes this happen more often.
- For example, “Mark has yards of rope and he gives a third of the rope to a friend. How much rope does Mark have left?” expects students to first find of , or multiply 1/3 × , and then to find the difference to find how much Mark has left. On the other hand, "Mark has yards of rope and gives yard of rope to a friend. How much rope does Mark have left?” only requires finding the difference − .
Strategies to Support Tiered Instruction
- Instruction includes opportunities to identify the appropriate operation to use in a real- world problem that requires addition, subtraction, or multiplication of fractions. The teacher guides students to identify the units in the problem for clarification on which operation is appropriate.
- For example, the teacher displays and reads the following two problems:
- “Ganie has of a bar of chocolate left and gives half of what she has to her friend Sarah. How much of a whole chocolate bar does she have left?”
- “Ganie has of a bar of chocolate left and she gives of the original bar of chocolate to her friend Sarah. How much of her chocolate bar does she have left?” (See illustration below)
- The teacher uses questioning and prompting to have students identify what operations must be used to solve each problem. The teacher asks students to share what they notice about each problem (e.g., the similarities and the differences), placing emphasis on the units (e.g., “half of the amount of chocolate that Janie has in the first problem vs. of the whole chocolate bar” in the second problem). The teacher guides students to identify that in the first problem, they will need to multiply × and in the second problem, they will need to subtract − to solve. Students solve using models.
- For example, the teacher displays and reads the following two problems:
×=
- For example, the teacher displays and reads the following problem: "Tia has yards of ribbon and she gives half of the ribbon to a friend. How much ribbon does Tia have left?” The teacher uses questioning and prompting to have students identify what operation must be used to solve the problem. The teacher asks students, “Did Tia give half of the ribbon or half a yard of ribbon to her friend?” Emphasis is placed on the units (e.g., half of the whole ribbon vs. yard of ribbon) while guiding students to identify that they will need to multiply × to solve. Students solve using the area model and counters. The cells with both color counters indicate the numerator in the solution. This is repeated with similar word problems, using frequent guiding questions to support student understanding.
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- Instruction includes opportunities to use models when solving problems that involve multiplication of fractions to increase understanding that multiplication does not always result in a larger number. The use of models when multiplying with fractions will enable students to generalize about multiplication algorithms that are based on conceptual understanding.
- For example, the teacher displays and reads aloud the following problem: “Rosalind spent of an hour helping in the garden. Her sister spent the amount of time as Rosalind did helping in the garden. How much time did Rosalind’s sister spend helping in the garden?” Students solve the problem using an area model. The teacher uses questioning to help students draw a model to represent the problem. This is repeated with similar word problems involving multiplication of fractions.
- For example, the teacher displays and reads aloud the following problem: "Astrid spent of an hour reading her book. Elliot spent the amount of time as Astrid did reading. How much time did Elliot spend reading?” Students solve using the area model and counters. The cells with both color counters indicate the numerator in the solution. The teacher uses questioning to help students draw a model to represent the problem. This is repeated with similar word problems involving multiplication of fractions, using frequent guiding questions to support student understanding.
Instructional Tasks
Instructional Task 1 (MTR.7.1)
Rachel wants to bake her two favorite brownie recipes. One recipe needs 1 cups of flour and the other recipe needs cups of flour. How much flour does Rachel need to bake her two favorite brownie recipes?
Instructional Task 2 (MTR.7.1)
Shawn finished a 100 meter race in of one minute. The winner of the race finished in of Shawn’s time. How long did it take for the winner of the race to finish?
Instructional Items
Instructional Item 1
Monica has 2 cups of berries. She uses cups of berries to make a smoothie. She then uses cup for a fruit salad. After she makes her smoothie and fruit salad, how much of the berries will Monica have left?*The strategies, tasks and items included in the B1G-M are examples and should not be considered comprehensive.
Related Courses
Related Access Points
Related Resources
Formative Assessments
Lesson Plans
Original Student Tutorials
Problem-Solving Tasks
Teaching Idea
STEM Lessons - Model Eliciting Activity
This activity allows students to determine the types of items that should be in a hurricane survival kit, use a budget and calculations to determine the items to include in the kit and gain an understanding of hurricanes and the need to prepare for them.
Model Eliciting Activities, MEAs, are open-ended, interdisciplinary problem-solving activities that are meant to reveal students’ thinking about the concepts embedded in realistic situations. Click here to learn more about MEAs and how they can transform your classroom.
This MEA will deepen students' knowledge of the Bill of Rights through collaborative problem solving. Students are required to analyze data in order to recommend three Amendments to celebrate during a community festival. They will perform operations with fractions and mixed numbers to recommend advertising options for the festival within a budget.
MFAS Formative Assessments
Students are asked to estimate the sum of two mixed numbers and then calculate the sum.
Students are asked to solve a word problem by finding the product of two mixed numbers.
Students are asked to solve a word problem by finding the product of a fraction and a mixed number.
Students are given a word problem involving subtraction of fractions with unlike denominators. Students are asked to determine if a given answer is reasonable, explain their reasoning, and calculate the answer.
Students are given a word problem involving fractions with unlike denominators and are asked to estimate the sum, explain their reasoning, and then determine the sum.
Students are asked to estimate the difference between two fractional lengths and then calculate the difference.
Original Student Tutorials Mathematics - Grades K-5
Read word problems and use number lines with benchmarks to solve multi-step problems involving addition and subtraction of fractions with unlike denominators. In this tutorial, you will help Daisy and Angie paint pictures using fractions.
Learn to solve addition and subtraction word problems involving fractions with unlike denominators. As you complete this art-themed, interactive tutorial, you'll use visual models, write and solve equations, and check the reasonableness of results based on estimates.
This is part 2 of a two-part series. Click below to open part 1.
Learn to interpret data presented on a line plot and use operations on fractions to solve problems involving information presented in line plots as you complete this beach-themed, interactive tutorial.
Student Resources
Original Student Tutorials
Learn to solve addition and subtraction word problems involving fractions with unlike denominators. As you complete this art-themed, interactive tutorial, you'll use visual models, write and solve equations, and check the reasonableness of results based on estimates.
This is part 2 of a two-part series. Click below to open part 1.
Type: Original Student Tutorial
Read word problems and use number lines with benchmarks to solve multi-step problems involving addition and subtraction of fractions with unlike denominators. In this tutorial, you will help Daisy and Angie paint pictures using fractions.
Type: Original Student Tutorial
Learn to interpret data presented on a line plot and use operations on fractions to solve problems involving information presented in line plots as you complete this beach-themed, interactive tutorial.
Type: Original Student Tutorial
Problem-Solving Tasks
Students are asked to find the volume of water in a tank that is 3/4 of the way full.
Type: Problem-Solving Task
Students are asked to find the height of a rectangular prism when given the length, width and volume.
Type: Problem-Solving Task
The purpose of this task is for students to find the answer to a question in context that can be represented by fraction multiplication. This task is appropriate for either instruction or assessment depending on how it is used and where students are in their understanding of fraction multiplication.
Type: Problem-Solving Task
This tasks lends itself very well to multiple solution methods. Students may learn a lot by comparing different methods. Students who are already comfortable with fraction multiplication can go straight to the numeric solutions given below. Students who are still unsure of the meanings of these operations can draw pictures or diagrams.
Type: Problem-Solving Task
The purpose of this task is to present students with a situation where it is natural to add fractions with unlike denominators; it can be used for either assessment or instructional purposes. Teachers should anticipate two types of solutions: one where students calculate the distance Alex ran to determine an answer, and one where students compare the two parts of his run to benchmark fractions.
Type: Problem-Solving Task
The purpose of this task is to familiarize students with multiplying fractions with real-world questions.
Type: Problem-Solving Task
The purpose of this task is to have students add fractions with unlike denominators and divide a unit fraction by a whole number. This accessible real-life context provides students with an opportunity to apply their understanding of addition as joining two separate quantities.
Type: Problem-Solving Task
The task could be one of the first activities for introducing the multiplication of fractions. The task has fractions which are easy to draw and provides a linear situation. Students benefit from reasoning through the solution to such word problems before they are told that they can be solved by multiplying the fractions; this helps them develop meaning for fraction multiplication.
Type: Problem-Solving Task
This is the third problem in a series of three tasks involving fraction multiplication that can be solved with pictures or number lines. The first, Running to school, does not require that the unit fractions that comprise 3/4 be subdivided in order to find 1/3 of 3/4. The second task, Drinking Juice, does require students to subdivide the unit fractions that comprise 1/2 in order to find 3/4 of 1/2. This task also requires subdivision and involves multiplying a fraction and a mixed number.
Type: Problem-Solving Task
This is the second problem in a series of three tasks involving fraction multiplication that can be solved with pictures or number lines. This task does require students to subdivide the unit fractions that comprise 1/2 in order to find 3/4 of 1/2.
Type: Problem-Solving Task
This task addresses common errors that students make when interpreting adding fractions word problems. It is very important for students to recognize that they only add fractions when the fractions refer to the same whole, and also when the fractions of the whole being added do not overlap. This set of questions is designed to enhance a student's understanding of when it is and is not appropriate to add fractions.
Type: Problem-Solving Task
Parent Resources
Problem-Solving Tasks
Students are asked to find the volume of water in a tank that is 3/4 of the way full.
Type: Problem-Solving Task
Students are asked to find the height of a rectangular prism when given the length, width and volume.
Type: Problem-Solving Task
The purpose of this task is for students to find the answer to a question in context that can be represented by fraction multiplication. This task is appropriate for either instruction or assessment depending on how it is used and where students are in their understanding of fraction multiplication.
Type: Problem-Solving Task
This tasks lends itself very well to multiple solution methods. Students may learn a lot by comparing different methods. Students who are already comfortable with fraction multiplication can go straight to the numeric solutions given below. Students who are still unsure of the meanings of these operations can draw pictures or diagrams.
Type: Problem-Solving Task
The purpose of this task is to present students with a situation where it is natural to add fractions with unlike denominators; it can be used for either assessment or instructional purposes. Teachers should anticipate two types of solutions: one where students calculate the distance Alex ran to determine an answer, and one where students compare the two parts of his run to benchmark fractions.
Type: Problem-Solving Task
The purpose of this task is to familiarize students with multiplying fractions with real-world questions.
Type: Problem-Solving Task
The purpose of this task is to have students add fractions with unlike denominators and divide a unit fraction by a whole number. This accessible real-life context provides students with an opportunity to apply their understanding of addition as joining two separate quantities.
Type: Problem-Solving Task
The task could be one of the first activities for introducing the multiplication of fractions. The task has fractions which are easy to draw and provides a linear situation. Students benefit from reasoning through the solution to such word problems before they are told that they can be solved by multiplying the fractions; this helps them develop meaning for fraction multiplication.
Type: Problem-Solving Task
This is the third problem in a series of three tasks involving fraction multiplication that can be solved with pictures or number lines. The first, Running to school, does not require that the unit fractions that comprise 3/4 be subdivided in order to find 1/3 of 3/4. The second task, Drinking Juice, does require students to subdivide the unit fractions that comprise 1/2 in order to find 3/4 of 1/2. This task also requires subdivision and involves multiplying a fraction and a mixed number.
Type: Problem-Solving Task
This is the second problem in a series of three tasks involving fraction multiplication that can be solved with pictures or number lines. This task does require students to subdivide the unit fractions that comprise 1/2 in order to find 3/4 of 1/2.
Type: Problem-Solving Task
This task addresses common errors that students make when interpreting adding fractions word problems. It is very important for students to recognize that they only add fractions when the fractions refer to the same whole, and also when the fractions of the whole being added do not overlap. This set of questions is designed to enhance a student's understanding of when it is and is not appropriate to add fractions.
Type: Problem-Solving Task
