Game of War with Fractions!

T​he standard 3.NF.A.3 asks students to understand fractions as numbers. Students should be able to explain how fractions are equivalent and compare fractions by thinking about their size. This includes:

• Being able to understand that two fractions are equivalent if they have the same relative size compared to a whole. 
• Being able to recognize and create simple equivalent fractions and explain why they are equivalent.

​Additionally, students should be able to express whole numbers and fractions and recognize that fractions are equivalent whole numbers. Students should be able to compare two fractions with the same numerator with the same denominator by thinking about their size. 
Finally, when working with fractions students should also be able to record the results of their comparisons with the greater than (>) equal (=) or less than (<) symbol and explain their reasoning. 

​A great way for students to practice these skills is to play a game of war with fractions! All they need is a deck of cards and a pencil. Click "Read More" to get the step by step instructions and tips and tricks:

Below are step by step instructions and tips and tricks:

• Students should draw two cards each 
• Students will place a pencil in the middle of the 2 cards to create the fraction bar, or line that separates the numerator and denominator
• Students display their fraction. 
• The student with the larger fraction collects all cards 
• Game play continues until all cards are gone.

Tips and tricks: 
You can choose to have the students keep track of their fractions by recording each round on a piece of paper, as shown below:
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As a note, 3rd grade expectations are limited to fractions with denominators: 2,3,4,6,8. You can choose to remove other values from the deck, or use the opportunity for extension. Let us know if you try this activity! For more hands-on math activities visit our store.