Math Lesson Plan: Multiplying Fractions

Objective: Students will be able to explain how to multiply fractions.

Lesson Opening

1. After giving out and reviewing math tests, explain that next week on Tuesday, there will be a fraction test on everything we have learned about fractions. After the break, we will be not be returning to fractions, instead we will be going on to decimals. This test is so important; it will be like two tests. We will refer to it as the Fraction Exam.

1. Ask the students what fraction skills they can remember working on. Make a list on the board and remind them they are skills they were tested on over the last two tests. The skills are simplifying, equivalent fractions, comparing fractions, adding and subtracting with like and unlike denominators, adding and subtracting mixed numbers with unlike denominators, converting back and forth between improper fractions and mixed numbers.

1. Place a chart on the board (or use an old overhead) that has the fraction skills we have learned. Explain that this chart contains all the different fraction processes. Ask the students to identify which are the most complicated and which are the least.

Guided Practice

1. Today we are going to learn how to multiply fractions. Compared to other skills, like adding mixed numbers with unlike denominators, this skill will be easy. You don't have to worry about LCM, GCF or anything like that. The only thing you have to is multiply. That's it. Multiply the denominator, multiply the numerator and you are finished.

1. Have the children do one or two on the board. Remember, however, that the same rules of simplification and improper fractions still apply. If you have an improper fraction, you must turn it into a mixed number. If you have to simplify, you must.

1. The last question is: how do you multiply mixed numbers? Should you multiply the whole numbers and then multiply the fractions? Absolutely not. When multiplying mixed numbers, you must turn them into improper fractions and then multiply.

1. One final note: how do you multiply whole numbers, like 5? Well, in reality, 5 is a fraction, only we write it 5/1. Whenever you see a whole number, you can just put it over 1 to turn it into a fraction.

Independent Practice

1. Before the children complete the worksheet, they must first complete a quick review sheet. (If you prefer, they can do this afterwards.) Explain that on Thursday and Friday, certain children will be teaching the class themselves. That decision will be made based on who does the best job with the review sheets.

Closing

1. Ask students if they think multiplying is easier or harder than adding.