Divide students into groups. Give each group a candy bar that has been divided into 12 parts.
Ask students to remove one piece of the candy bar from the group of 12. Explain that this single piece of candy represents 1/12 of the whole candy bar. Tell students to replace the piece and remove three pieces of the candy bar. Explain that this represents 3/12 of the whole candy bar.
Explain how to simplify fractions by illustrating with the candy bars that three parts of 12 (3/12) is equal to one part of four (1/4). Ask students to simplify other fractions such as six of 12 and nine of 12.
When the students have mastered the concept of simple fractions, let each group divide the candy bar equally using the skills they just learned and eat it.