Create a deck of fraction cards that include pictures of fractions as well as the numerical representation of the fraction. For example, for 1/3 make the following cards: a circle divided into three equal sections with one section colored in, a bar divided into thirds with one section colored in, a group of three apples with one colored in and a card labeled 1/3. Make sets for whichever fractions you want your students to practice. Lay all the cards on the table facedown. Each player takes a turn turning over two cards. When a player finds a par of cards that represent the same fraction, she keeps the match. Play continues until all of the cards have been matched.
Students will play with a partner to practice making fractions with colored cubes. Supply each student with several interlocking cubes in two colors. Create a deck of cards labeled with a variety of fractions that you want your students to recognize. One student draws a card from the deck and represents the fraction using the interlocking cubes. For example, if he draws a card that says 2/5, he would use two red cubes and three blue cubes to show that 2/5 of the cubes are red. The partner checks the work, and if the fraction is represented correctly, the player gets to keep the card. Play continues until all of the cards have been collected, and the person with the most cards wins the game.
Students can learn about fractions as a group during this active game. Create spinners with the fractions 1/2, 1/4 and 1/8. Divide the class into groups of eight students. One person from each group spins the spinner and reads the fraction aloud. The group decides how many kids from its group make the fraction, and that number of kids sits down. For example, if the spinner lands on 1/4, the students would need to figure out that two of the eight people should be sitting, while the rest stand. Once students have become familiar with those fractions, use a new set of fractions. For example, play in groups of six and use the fractions 1/2, 1/3 and 1/6.
Students will be motivated to learn about fractions while they enjoy a sweet treat. Pass out several marshmallows, graham crackers and a chocolate bar to each student. Read fraction story problems aloud and ask the students to model the fractions using their food items. For example, a problem could read "Amy had 10 marshmallows, and she burnt 1/5 of them. How many did she burn?" Students would have to show that two of the 10 marshmallows equals 1/5. Continue with problems about the chocolate bar or graham crackers, which can be broken into equal parts. After students have completed several problems, eat the s'mores.