You did it! You’ve survived teaching fourth graders how to compare fractions, add and subtract fractions, and add and subtract mixed numbers…complete with introducing improper fractions. Whew! (And congratulations!). Now it’s time to have a little fun with multiplying fractions and mixed numbers. And this Google Slides digital unit makes mastering multiplying fractions and mixed numbers both fun and effective!
As a comprehensive unit, it comes with anchor charts that teach all the multiplying fractions and mixed numbers subskills, and drag-and-drop practice activities, and digital worksheets. It allows your students will explore multiplying fractions and mixed numbers in an engaging, hands-on way.
From bar diagrams to converting improper fractions, this unit covers all the essential skills. Plus, with an end-of-unit review and assessment included, you’ll have everything you need to help your students build a solid foundation in multiplying fractions and mixed numbers while keeping them excited about learning. Let’s walk through each lesson.
Lesson 1: Using Visual Models for Multiplying Fractions
As with each lesson, this one starts with a digital anchor chart to explain the concept.
Here students can see how to use a fraction strips or bars to build a multiplication problem involving fractions. It also shows students how to do the same using a fraction number line. While it is ideal to have a teacher available to explain the concept, anchor charts like this one can serve as a substitute when the teacher is unavailable or serve as a thorough review for students as they practice independently.
After an explanation of how to use models to multiply fractions, students have the opportunity to practice with movable pieces. The first activity lets students drag and drop fraction strips and number line “jumps” to build their own models for multiplying fractions by whole numbers.
The second drag and drop activity allows students to analyze a model and determine which multiplication problem matches each model and then solve the equation to find the product.
Students finish up the lesson by completing a digital worksheet for multiplying fractions by whole numbers to show how well they have understood the lesson.
Lesson 2: Using Math Facts for Multiplying Fractions
Thanks to the work students did in Lesson 1, they now have a conceptual understanding of multiplying fractions by whole number and are ready to move on to a more efficient method of finding the product. In this lesson they will learn about multiplying the numerators and converting the resulting improper fraction into a mixed number.
Lesson 2 starts with an anchor chart that explains and models using multiplication facts to multiply fractions by whole numbers. Next, students get to practice with the activities.
In the first PB&J themed activity, students get the chance to sort the halves of PB&J into the correct column so that each column contains a peanut butter multiplication equation, a jelly improper fraction product, and a whole sandwich with the mixed or whole number product of the same value.
In the next two activities called “Just the Facts” students will practice by dragging and dropping the correct numerator to complete each equation with a product written as an improper fraction in the blue column. And then they will record the final product by converting it to a mixed number in the green column.
Once again, students will have the opportunity for more traditional math practice using a digital worksheet for using multiplication facts to multiply fractions by whole numbers.
Lesson 3: Using Properties to Multiply Mixed Numbers
Now that students are confidently multiplying with fractions, it’s time to expand their skill set to include mixed numbers. Lesson 3 introduces mixed numbers and teaches students how to use the distributive property of multiplication to multiply a mixed number by a whole number.
This anchor chart walks them step-by-step through the process for using the distributive property to multiply by breaking the mixed number apart into a whole number plus a fraction. Then move through the process of multiplying each part by the whole number factor before finally adding the two resulting products together to find the final solution.
Students are sure to catch success with this first practice activity. Studentw will drag and drop the firefly pieces to fill jar with the parts of the distributive property that helps solve each equation. To finish, students will record the final product as mixed number using the text boxes inside the stars.
In this follow up activity called “Sign Me Up”, students will help each digital kid find their correct seat in the classroom by matching the product on their sign to the multiplication sentences on their desk while us the break apart strategy to solve.
Lesson 4: Using Improper Fractions to Multiply Mixed Numbers
The next strategy students will learn is how to covert a mixed number into an improper fraction and then use basic computation to find the product.
Once again an anchor chart breaks down each step for the students making it easy for them to see and understand.
Students will then have three opportunities to practice with these missing number activities. They will drag and drop the number pieces to complete each mixed number multiplication equation.
And finish the lesson with a digital worksheet for using improper fractions to multiply mixed numbers by whole numbers.
Lesson 5: Review and Assess Multiplying Fractions and Mixed Numbers
After a week of learning all about multiplying fractions and mixed numbers, it’s time to review what students learned and let them show off how much they’ve learned.
They have two opportunities to review multiplying fractions and mixed numbers. You can assign both or pick the one that makes the most sense for your students.
Finally, a digital assessment will give you a snapshot of how well students understood the multiplying fractions and mixed numbers concepts for the week.
Of course, an answer key is included for all the activities and worksheets to make it easy for teachers and homeschooling parents use.
This digital unit for multiplying fractions and mixed numbers by whole numbers is a welcome change of pace for teaching 4th graders how to understand and work with multiplication problems with this new twist. The combination of lessons, interactive drag-and-drop activities, and an end-of-unit assessment ensures that your students are not only practicing but also mastering these critical skills. You can find this multiplying fractions and whole numbers unit and all my other digital units in my TPT store.
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Ready for more math ideas? Check out one of these blog posts:
- The Perfect 90-Minute Math Block Schedule
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