6th Grade Math Lesson Plan: Adding Fractions with Unlike Denominators

Objective: Students will add fractions with unlike denominators.

Lesson Opening

1. After reviewing your math tests, I see that we are strong in every area except adding fractions with unlike denominators. Therefore, we are going to spend two more days focusing only on that skill. On Wednesday, we will have a brief skill on that alone.

1. After the quiz, we will move on to changing mixed numbers to improper fractions. You will remember that last week we did the opposite, changing improper fractions to mixed numbers. There will be a brief quiz on Friday covering conversion.

1. We have three weeks of school left. The next three weeks in math we will look at adding/subtracting mixed numbers and multiplying and dividing fractions. In order to be able to do those, you need to know what we will be working on this week.

1. A few of you did to quite well on the quiz. If that is the case, you should realize that you have an opportunity to help your classmates when they struggle. This does more than just help them, it also helps you. Nothing makes you a stronger student than being able to teach others.

Guided Practice

1. The main reason why so many students struggled with adding/subtracting fractions with unlike denominators is that they did not follow the four steps. Here they are, in case you forgot them.

1) Find the LCM

2) Change the denominators

3) Change the numerators

4) Add.

1. To make this easier for you, I am handing out sheets of paper that are already gridded. You are to write one step in each box. The assignment is not complete unless you write one step per box.

Independent Practice

1. The children are to answer 5 questions on the board in their boxes. The back of the sheet is their homework. They are to move on to their homework, if they get all five problems correct. Have five different students do the problems on the board.

Closing

1. Ask students to remind you of the difference between LCM and GCF.

Lesson Opening

1. After reviewing your math tests, I see that we are strong in every area except adding fractions with unlike denominators. Therefore, we are going to spend two more days focusing only on that skill. On Wednesday, we will have a brief skill on that alone.

1. After the quiz, we will move on to changing mixed numbers to improper fractions. You will remember that last week we did the opposite, changing improper fractions to mixed numbers. There will be a brief quiz on Friday covering conversion.

1. We have three weeks of school left. The next three weeks in math we will look at adding/subtracting mixed numbers and multiplying and dividing fractions. In order to be able to do those, you need to know what we will be working on this week.

1. A few of you did to quite well on the quiz. If that is the case, you should realize that you have an opportunity to help your classmates when they struggle. This does more than just help them, it also helps you. Nothing makes you a stronger student than being able to teach others.

Guided Practice

1. The main reason why so many students struggled with adding/subtracting fractions with unlike denominators is that they did not follow the four steps. Here they are, in case you forgot them.

1) Find the LCM

2) Change the denominators

3) Change the numerators

4) Add.

1. To make this easier for you, I am handing out sheets of paper that are already gridded. You are to write one step in each box. The assignment is not complete unless you write one step per box.

Independent Practice

1. The children are to answer 5 questions on the board in their boxes. The back of the sheet is their homework. They are to move on to their homework, if they get all five problems correct. Have five different students do the problems on the board.

Closing

1. Ask students to remind you of the difference between LCM and GCF.