Divide the class into two teams. Send one student from each team to opposite sides of the board. Use an overhead projector and write a subtraction problem in the center of the board. The first student who correctly solves the problem receives eight points for his team; the second student to get a correct answer receives four points. Do not give points for an incorrect response. Students may ask for help from one team member; however, earned points are then cut in half. The winning team is the one scoring the most points in 30 minutes.
Divide the class into teams and play "baseball." Prepare four levels of subtraction questions: fractions with the same denominators; mixed numbers with the same denominators; fractions with different denominators; mixed numbers with different denominators. The levels represent a single, double, triple and home run, respectively. Designate spots in the classroom as home plate, first, second and third bases. When a team member comes to bat, he chooses a question level. If the student gets a correct answer, he runs the bases accordingly. An incorrect response is a strike-out.
Play this game as a normal tic-tac-toe game. Use your SMART Board or prepare an overhead projection of a tic-tac-toe game board. Write fraction subtraction problems in each space. Vary the difficulty level. Divide the class into two teams. Make sure the teams use different-colored markers. Team members alternate, choosing questions to answer. The first team to answer three problems correctly in a horizontal, diagonal or vertical line wins that game.
This online game by Sheppard Software (sheppardsoftware.com) offers students the option of three levels of subtraction problems with either like or unlike denominators. They decide between the "relaxed" and the "timed" versions. A problem is written on the screen, and pieces of fruit containing possible answers float around it. Students click on the piece of fruit that holds the correct answer.
This online game by Math-Play (math-play.com) allows students to play a board game on the computer. Students typically learn addition of fractions before subtraction. This game incorporates the two operations. Students roll the dice and advance around the board. They score points for correct answers and lose points for incorrect responses. The object is to reach the finish line first.