Teaching Fraction Addition & Subtraction

Methods and materials to teach for meaning

Learn instructional methods and receive ready-to-go resources to help upper elementary and middle school students understand and retain fraction addition and subtraction concepts, while deepening the understanding of basic fraction concepts.

This program is designed to take you step-by-step through teaching fraction addition and subtraction of unlike fractions and mixed numbers, both conceptually and procedurally, while incorporating fraction basics.

This program is Modules 1, 2, 3, and 6 of the Fractions: From Foundations to Operations program, for those who want to focus just on addition and subtraction.

Are you spending too much time looking for new strategies to help your students with fractions? 

Look no further.

If you want to help your students…

  • Understand what fraction addition and subtraction mean
  • Successfully complete and explain  fraction addition and subtraction
  • Improve their fraction flexibility
  • Retain their understanding of concepts throughout the year
  • Develop a deeper understanding of number relationships
  • Feel more confident and less stressed when they encountered fractions in other contexts...

                                                    …you’re in the right place.

Who is this program for?

This program IS for you if you're an upper elementary or middle school math teacher and...

  • you find yourself looking for fraction tips every year, OR


  • you're looking for new strategies to teach fraction addition and subtraction, OR 


  • your students have fraction gaps you're not sure how to address, OR 


  • you want your students to develop a deeper understanding of what fractions are and what fraction addition and subtraction means, AND


  • you're willing to start 'weaving' fractions into math class when you aren't 'teaching fractions'


This program is for you if...

  • You're teaching fraction addition and subtraction for the first time (or 2nd or 3rd!) and are looking for strategies to help your students learn both the meanings and the processes.


  • You find yourself feeling frustrated because your students don't seem to understand what fractions even ARE. You want to minimize those understanding gaps while teaching your curriculum.


  • Teaching fraction addition and subtraction isn't in your curriculum, but you ALWAYS have to review them because of the other contexts that require students to know fraction operations (like solving equations). Maybe you're looking for new ways to approach this.


  • You've been teaching fraction addition and subtraction 'rules' or shortcuts because that's how you were taught, and you want to learn strategies to teach fraction operations differently.


  • You're an instructional coach, looking for new strategies to share with your teachers.


  • You want to save the planning time you spend searching here and there for fraction tips and resources that might help your students. You need a program with methods and materials all in one place.

Program Modules

Lessons include teacher guides and student versions of the lesson activities

  • 1

    Welcome to the course!

    • Welcome!

    • How to use this course

  • 2

    Module 1: Helping Students Master Fraction Basics

    • M1 L1: Introduction to Teaching Fraction Operations

    • M1 L2: Improper Fractions and Mixed Numbers

    • M1 L3: Using the Ladder Method

    • M1 L4: Comparing Fractions

    • M1 L5: Simplifying Fractions: 3 Methods

  • 3

    Module 2: Adding and Subtracting Fractions with Unlike Denominators

    • Module 2 Overview

    • M2 L1: Eliminate the Butterflies

    • M2 L2: Fraction Addition & Subtraction: What Does It Mean?

    • M2 L3: Estimating

    • M2 L4: Finding Least Common Denominator – Three Methods

    • M2 L5: Adding & Subtracting Unlike Fractions

    • M2 L6: Adding Mixed Numbers

  • 4

    Module 3: Subtract Mixed Numbers

    • Module 3 Overview

    • M3 L1: Subtracting with Mixed Numbers "Groundwork"

    • M3 L2: Using Partial Differences

    • M3 L3: Subtracting with Regrouping

    • M3 L4: Subtracting With Improper Fractions

  • 5

    Module 6: Fitting it All In

    • M6 L1: Summary of Operations

    • M6 L2: Fractions in Other Contexts

    • M6 L3: Resources & Fitting Fraction Concepts In

    • Closing Lesson

"This course is excellent for anyone who teaches middle school math!"

What teachers like you are saying about this program:

5 star rating

Great Course

Judith Goodfriend

This course is excellent for anyone who teaches middle school math. Whether a new teacher or seasoned veteran, there are great ideas and excellent goodies to...

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This course is excellent for anyone who teaches middle school math. Whether a new teacher or seasoned veteran, there are great ideas and excellent goodies to use in the class.

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5 star rating

For Newbies & Veterans

Jennifer Jaques

Whether you are new to teaching fractions, are just looking for a better understanding of fractions and teaching them, or just need a good refresher. This c...

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Whether you are new to teaching fractions, are just looking for a better understanding of fractions and teaching them, or just need a good refresher. This course is great from beginning to end.

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5 star rating

Thorough Course

Laurie Schorno

This course covered everything from basics to complex. The speed of the course was perfect, especially since you could stop/review as needed. I appreciate th...

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This course covered everything from basics to complex. The speed of the course was perfect, especially since you could stop/review as needed. I appreciate the additional resources AND the ability to come back to refresh!

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5 star rating

Fabulous Fractions

Sarah Freeman

This course was amazing! I was so happy I took it. It is going to be extremely helpful to use the resources this school year helping the students gain a bett...

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This course was amazing! I was so happy I took it. It is going to be extremely helpful to use the resources this school year helping the students gain a better understanding of fractions. Thank you!

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5 star rating

Excellent Resource!

Paula Schoonmaker

This training was easy to use, very comprehensive, and was virtually glitch-free! The content knowledge of fractions presented was extremely thorough was wi...

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This training was easy to use, very comprehensive, and was virtually glitch-free! The content knowledge of fractions presented was extremely thorough was will be helpful to me as I seek to incorporate more fraction work into my Grade 6 math class. Thank you so much and PLEASE continue to make great content :)

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5 star rating

Excellent, Thorough, and Consistent

Faye Joudrey

This course was methodical in teaching all needed aspects of fraction operations. The methods used were consistent from start to finish and their purposes ...

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This course was methodical in teaching all needed aspects of fraction operations. The methods used were consistent from start to finish and their purposes explained. When options existed, multiple options were shown with their pros and cons. I have taught and tutored math for over 20 years and there were some new insights from this training which was exactly what I was hoping for. Most significant of all was the timely feedback I received. I asked a question on the facebook group and within a day, not only was the question answered, but a new video was made to supplement the videos in the lesson. I will definitely be sharing some of these key ideas and using the student resources. They are well-organized and consistent which will help so many of my students, especially those with learning disabilities. I recommend any teacher who covers fractions operations in their curriculum to take this course.

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Extra Resources to Take Into the Classroom

In addition to the sample problems and activities in each lesson, you'll receive over $60 of additional resources (besides the student problems and explorations from the lessons), including: 

  • 120 days of Fraction Spiral Review: excellent for adding fraction practice ALL year 
  • Fraction Math Dates and calendar cards: so you can add fraction operations EVERY day 
  • Problem solving
  • Doodle notes
  • Math wheels for taking notes, plus practice
  • Fraction cards
  • Fraction strips
  • Number lines and more!

Ready to Have Your Methods and Materials All in One Place?

Do You Need the Entire Fractions Program?

If you want ALL the fraction operations (plus bonuses), check out the entire program, Fractions: From Foundations to Operations.

FAQs

  • How is this course presented?

    Each lesson includes a prerecorded video, with teaching strategies and examples. Note-taking guides are provided for each lesson, along with student versions of the example problems used in lessons.

  • Do you accept purchase orders?

    Yes. Please email me at ellie@middleschoolmathmoments.com.

  • Will I be able to access the course materials right away?

    Yes! All modules will be available as soon as you enroll and you can access any lessons and resources immediately.

  • What if I have questions during the course?

    I am always available, via email or in the course discussion area on Thinkific.

  • I'd like to help my child with fractions and fraction addition and subtraction. Would this course be helpful?

    Definitely! If you're a parent supporting a child who would benefit from supplemental work with fraction concepts (or you're a homeschooling parent), this course will be helpful.

I can't wait to share the strategies that helped my students. I'm excited to provide you with everything you need to help your students and save you precious planning time during the year! Let's get started on this fraction journey together:-)