Teach students fractions using candy of various colors. Break the class into pairs and give a small bag of candies to each pair. Have students sort the candies into color groups. Pairs of students should calculate the total number or candies, as well as the fraction of the total for each color. Have the students share their results before eating the candy together.
Use sports examples and probability to further the students' understanding of fractions. Break the class into pairs, give each pair of students a quarter and have each student in the group choose either heads or tails. Have each student come up with a team name, and ask them to pretend they are playing each other in football. Students score touchdowns by winning the coin toss. After 10 coin tosses, have students calculate the fraction of heads and tails from the game. Reassemble and have groups compare results.
Use money as a way to integrate the teaching of fractions into everyday classroom life. Bring play money into class and distribute it evenly among the students. Set up a price list for various privileges in the class, such as taking a five-minute break or missing homework for the night. Students can buy privileges, but must calculate the fraction of their total money before doing so. Do not accept money until the student has calculated it correctly.