Several foods lend themselves to demonstration of mixed numbers and improper fractions. Choose a favorite food that is circular or rectangular in shape to make it easier to divide it evenly. You will need multiple whole items and a knife or spatula to divide the food if necessary. Choose a mixed number amount to demonstrate, such as 2 3/4. Show two whole items and cut the third into fourths, removing one piece so three-fourths remain. Demonstrate how to cut the whole items into similar pieces, and count them to convert to an improper fraction. Graham crackers lend themselves well to this activity because each student can have several to use in their own experiments.
When students understand that mixed numbers contain both a whole number and a fraction of another item, send them on a mixed number hunt around home or classroom. Have them locate items that can be easily divided into fractions and presented as mixed numbers. For example, similar sheets of paper can be shown with one sheet cut into sections to make the fractional portion. Other possible items include sandwiches, fruits and cookies, new pencils and sharpened ones, or cups filled completely and one partially filled.
Doubling and tripling recipes lends itself to work with improper fractions and mixed numbers. Choose a recipe with ingredients listed in fractional measures. Challenge students to use multiplication to find out how much of each ingredient will be needed to double or triple the recipe. Identify the improper fractions created in the answers, then convert them to mixed numbers to simplify measurement. For example, if the recipe calls for three-fourths of a cup of flour and the recipe is being tripled, the flour is increased to nine-fourths. This is 2 1/4 in mixed number form, indicating that the one-cup measure should be filled twice and the one-fourth cup measure should be filled once.
When students understand how to convert between mixed numbers and improper fractions, play matching card games. Make a set of cards that have equivalent mixed numbers and improper fractions on them. Use the rules from common games to encourage students to practice conversion. To play Memory, turn all cards face down, and look for matching improper fractions and mixed numbers by turning up two cards at a time. Play a game similar to Go Fish by dealing out five to seven cards to each player. There should be a pile of cards left in the middle of the table. In turn, players may request a card to match one in their hands from their opponent. If the opponent has the matching card, it is surrendered. If the opponent does not have the matching card, the asking player must choose a card from the pile on the table.