Elementary Fraction Games
Difficulty: Easy
A math concept introduced in elementaryschool, fractions can be difficult to grasp. According toHomeschool Math, this is because of the different operations such as addition, subtraction andconversion to decimals that you perform with fractions. Usinggamesto teach fractions helps to better astudent's understanding as the manipulatives used helps her visualize fractions better.

Match the Fraction tothe Decimal
This game teaches children how to convert fractions to decimals. Using card stock, create a deck of cards that contain fractions and corresponding decimals. For example, 1/2, 1/4, 2/3 and 0.5, 0.3, 0.25,0.2 and so forth. Deal five fraction cards to players. Place the decimal cards face down in a pile in themiddle with one card turned face up. Also place a pile of fraction cards face down. Children take turnsplaying this game. The player takes a card from the pile of fraction cards and adds it to his hand. Hemust match one of the fraction cards in his hand to the decimal card that is facing up. If he cannot finda match, he skips the turn. If he does, he removes the fraction card from his hand, along with thecorresponding decimal card. The player flips the next decimal card and the game continues. The firstplayer to make seven matches wins the game. To aid players in this game, a fraction to decimalconversion table can be used as a reference. This game is ideal for a small group of children with twoto four players.

Memory Fractions
Mathcats.com suggests teaching equivalent fractions with the game Memory. Create a set of memorycards with fractions drawn on them. The children place the cards upside down. They flip one card over,and if it says 1/2, they have to find an equivalent fraction--in this case, 2/4. If they do not find thematch, they must flip the cards back over and start again. Play continues until all the cards arematched. The student with the most matches wins. This game is best for individual players or a pair of players.

Pizza Math
Pizza is an ideal way to represent fractions. Make a large replica of a pizza on construction paper andlaminate it. Cut out eight even slices of pizza and reassemble them on a cardboard plate. Also, make adeck of cards that display different fractions associated with the pizza such as1/8, 2/8, 3/8 and so on.Let a student randomly pick out a fraction card. She must remove the corresponding number of pizzaslices based on the card. For example, if the card say 4/8, she would remove four pieces of pizza.Once all of the slices are gone, the player with the most pieces is the winner. Modify it to teachequivalent fractions by using cards with fractions such as1/2 and 1/4, allowing the students to figureout the right number of slices to remove.