A fractions bingo game is easy to create on the computer and is a fun way for students to visualize the way a fraction is written. Make several different bingo cards so the entire class doesn't win at the same time. Type five fractions across by five fractions down, and print in color or black and white. Hand out bingo markers—pennies or small cardboard circles work well—and call out fractions. Each student covers the fraction when it is called, and the first to get five in a row is the winner.
Cooking with measuring cups and spoons is an ideal way to teach students about fractions. Divide the class into several teams. Give each team a copy of a recipe that incorporates several different fractions. Challenge the students to use their measuring tools to find the right fractions and finish the recipe first. Cookies and bread recipes are good choices because they often require both large and small fractions.
Most children like to eat pizza, making it a good medium for teaching fractions. For a special treat, you can use real pizzas, but many teacher stores sell pizza slices for this type of game. You can also create and print your own on the computer using artwork or clipart software programs. Divide the class into teams, and give them a series of questions to figure out. For example, "If I ate 2/3 of a pizza, how many slices are left?" or "What is 1/4 of a 16-slice pizza?"
A chocolate bar divided into segments is a good way to introduce fractions in a fun and tasty way. You can also print them off the computer if you don't want to use real chocolate bars. Unwrap the chocolate bar, and show the students how to divide it into different fractions, including 1/4, 1/2, 1/6 and 1/12. The children break the chocolate into 12 pieces and place them in different configurations to show different fractions. Once the lesson is complete, the kids can sample their fractions.