Khan Academy and LearnZillion - Fractions with Unlike Denominators

Introduction

Now that you can add and subtract fractions with common denominators, it's time to take your skills to the next level!  Not all fractions have the same denominators and you need to know how to add and subtract those kinds of fractions, too.

Task

You are going to be working on Khan Academy and LearnZillion to learn and/or reinforce your skills in adding and subtracting fractions with unlike denominators.  Head over to the Process tab to find your exact mission specifications.

Process

Step 1: Complete the 6 review problems on your worksheet to refresh your adding and subtracting skills.  When you finish, take it to Ms. Svajda so she can check it quickly.  You must do this before moving on to Task 2.

Step 2: LearnZillion

Task 1:  You'll be spending some time over at LearnZillion learning some visual methods of adding and subtracting fractions with unlike denominators.  The first method is to use an area model.

  1. Log in to LearnZillion.  All of the following videos have been "assigned" to you or you can click on the links below to view them.
  2. Watch the video over addition https://learnzillion.com/teacher/lessons/2659 and take notes over the examples on your worksheet.
  3. Watch the video over subtraction https://learnzillion.com/teacher/lessons/2624 and take notes over the examples on your worksheet.

Task 2:  While still at LearnZillion (and logged in), you will learn how to add and subtract fractions with unlike denominators using fraction bars.  Again, these videos have been assigned to you in your account, but you may also view them by clicking on the links below as long as you are logged in to LearnZillion.

  1. Watch the video over addition https://learnzillion.com/lessons/2390-add-fractions-with-unlike-denominators-using-fraction-bars and take notes over the examples on your worksheet.
  2. Watch the video over subtraction https://learnzillion.com/lessons/2480-subtract-fractions-with-unlike-denominators-using-fraction-bars and take notes over the examples on your worksheet.

Step 3: KHAN ACADEMY

Task 1: Time to learn the "standard algorithm" (the method many other people use) to add fractions with unlike denominators and then do some practice.

  1. Log in to Khan Academy with your shiny new account.  
  2. Watch https://www.khanacademy.org/math/arithmetic/fractions/fractions-unlike-denom/v/adding-fractions-with-unlike-denominators and https://www.khanacademy.org/math/arithmetic/fractions/fractions-unlike-denom/v/adding-fractions-ex-1 and take notes over the examples they do in the videos
  3. Do 5 practice problems correctly at https://www.khanacademy.org/math/arithmetic/fractions/fractions-unlike-denom/e/adding_fractions.  Record your questions AND answers on your worksheet.

Task 2: Now you get to subtraction fractions with unlike denominators.  I'll give you a hint: it's just like adding fractions with unlike denominators except you subtract instead of add.

  1. Watch this lovely Khan Academy video: https://www.khanacademy.org/math/arithmetic/fractions/fractions-unlike-denom/v/subtracting-fractions-with-unlike-denominators and take notes over the examples in the video on your worksheet.
  2. Answer 5 practice questions correctly at https://www.khanacademy.org/math/arithmetic/fractions/fractions-unlike-denom/e/subtracting_fractions.  Record both the questions AND answers on your worksheet

Step 4: IXL

Go to http://www.ixl.com/math/grade-6/add-and-subtract-fractions-with-unlike-denominators and answer 10 questions correctly.  Record your questions AND answers on your worksheet.

Evaluation

For your evaluation for this quest, you will write a blog post (which you won't actually post) about how to add and subtract fractions with unlike denominators.  You will need to effectively explain through words how to add and subtract fractions with unlike denominators.  You must type this blog post - this ensures that Ms. Svajda can read it - and you will then email it to Ms. Svajda.  If you have any questions, please ask! :)