Author: Labman

SUNY Cortland

Grades 4-6

Students will roll the “bowling” ball down the lane to try and knock down as many bowling pins as they can. The students will then determine what the fraction is of the pins still standing, as well as, the pins that they knocked down. There will be two bowling lanes, therefore students will be able to compare fractions between lanes.

New York State Standards:
4th grade: Recognize and generate equivalent fractions (halves, fourths, fifths, sixths, and tenths) using manipulatives, visual models, and illustrations.
5th grade: Compare fractions using less, more or equal.

Cara Putman
Katy Kaplun
Lisa Hlebica

Math Day
2008
at Parker Elementary

Bowling Over Fractions

This activity is used as a review game, to reinforce concepts about fractions that students have learned:
Naming fractions
Visualizing fractions
Comparing fractions

Dear Parents or Guardians,
We have created this brochure as a guide that you may find helpful. This brochure provides you with information relating to the activity we implemented at Math Day with your child. Our activity reinforces concepts about fractions, which your child will learn throughout school. This brochure also includes additional ideas and activities that you can do at home with your child to help sharpen their fraction skills!
Thanks,
Cara, Lisa, and Katy

Sample Questions
Our game has helped reinforce the concept of fractions, and these are some questions that your child may see on the New York State math test in 4th, 5th, or 6th grade.
Which list shows the fractions in order from least to greatest?
A. 1/2, 1/3, 1/4
B. 1/2, 1/4, 1/3
C. 1/4, 1/2. 1/3
D. 1/4, 1/3, 1/2
A diagram of a field is shown below. Part of the field is covered with dirt, and part of the field is covered with grass. What fraction of the field is covered with dirt?
A. 1/2
B. 1/3
C. 1/4
D. 1/6

Additional Activities:
Take your child bowling, and keep a written record of the score to help review fractions with your child.
While eating pizza you can ask your child:
What fraction of the pizza are you eating?
What fraction of the pizza is left?
Visit the websites listed below to review concepts about fractions and other math concepts interactively through the use of the Internet.
The Math Games:
http://themathgames.com/
CoolMath.com: http://www.coolmath.com/fractions/index.html
Gamequarium: http://www.gamequarium.com/fractions.html
Sheppard Software: http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/math.htm