Fraction, Decimal, and Percent Go Fish!

We are in crunch time until our big TEST.   The next two weeks are basically review for the students as far as math goes.  Because I like to embed my test prep all year long, I really am not doing the "take out your test prep book and bubble in the answers."  They get that.  They know how to do it.  We have practiced all year so I am really not worried about them underlining and showing evidence.

education   teachinginroom6.blogspot.com   Mrs. MoormanWhat I am worried about is them forgetting the actual skills they need.  There are just SO many skills that we teach in 5th grade, it becomes a big blur...even for me at times.  It would be easy to break out a workbook and just drill and kill them, but seriously, I am bored just thinking about it.  The best way to review that I have found with my students is playing a game.   These kids *love* games (I honestly think if I had them take the TEST as a game they would all ace it).  And I love anything that they are learning with.  So I created this Go Fish game to help us review fractions, decimals, and percents.  And let me tell you, they are LOVING it!  (don't you love when you have these little brainstorms while sitting in bed trying to go to sleep that actual result in something productive and useful??)




So basically, the game is played just like the typical game of Go Fish.  There are 4 players max (so I just made a few different sets of the game), they are dealt 5 cards each, extra cards in the draw pile, with the object of getting matching sets.  What are the matching sets, you ask?  The equivalent fraction, decimal, and percent of course!

game to teach math   upper grades    5th gradeThe kids did all of their work, figuring out which fractions turned into which decimals and percents, and which percents would be equivalent to which fractions, on a sheet of paper, which I then collected.  Next time, I am just going to laminate a few sheets to keep in the center so they can use this during their Workshop time.  That way I am not using up too much paper (and the kids LOVE using the vis-a-vie markers!)  Working out the percents to fractions proved to be REALLY difficult for the kids, especially those in the Advanced level group.  Figuring what fraction matches 83.3% is just tough.  Though, through the power of deductive reasoning, they were eventually able to get it.


Stephanie  Teaching in Room 6
Because I have different kids and different levels in my room, I made varying levels of difficulty for the game sets.  Thank goodness because, as I had mentioned before, the Advanced level was truly advanced.  Some kids were working only with 100ths in the denominator.  Others were on 10ths.  Still others were in the Big Dog fractions and had 6s and 8s in the denominators.  I loved that I could differentiate like this, yet the kids had NO idea that there were some easier and not so easy game sets.  (patting myself on the back for that one....I really am still trying to work on the differentiation in my room, as it is a struggle for me)  They all were working at a level appropriate to them, yet were having fun doing it.





When the game was over, the students really got to see which fractions matched up and could tell me *why*.   (YAY!!)  Working backwards from the percents to the fractions is something we don't usually do, so that was eye-opening for me.  I learned a lot about my students and their levels playing this game, and they learned a lot about the equivalencies of fractions, decimals, and percents.   An added benefit to playing the game is that the more they play, the more automatic the common fractions/decimals/percents become.  For some of my students, the work space is no longer necessary as they have these common conversions committed to memory (say that 3 times fast!) 

If you would like this game, it is available at my TpT store, HOWEVER, I am going to give away a set to ONE person who comments about how they will use it in their classroom, as well as leave an email to send it to.  (no email, no game...sorry)  I will pick the winner using a random number generator tonight (April 23, 2012) at 9pm PST...so be quick!  The file is really big, so just be prepared!

And we have a winner!! 
teachinginroom6.blogspot.com
Teaching in Room 6    5th Grade

 Congratulations :)  The game is in your email!!!  Thank you so much to all who commented.  You really made my night with all the nice things you said...and I am glad that this game could inspire you in your classroom!

36 comments

  1. I will be a new 5th grade teacher next year (been teaching 3rd grade for three years), so these will definitely come in handy as I'm starting completely from scratch. Take pity! :)

    wbteach3rd@gmail.com

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  2. Oh, that would be wonderful for review for tomorrow. Math state test is on Wednesday!!!!

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  3. I would use it as centers, review and reteach. A great resource!!
    (cindyswindell@gmail.com)

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  4. I would have the kids play with this during my Math Core Plus class. FDP is something we are constantly reviewing to keep up their skills.

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  5. I currently teach 4-6 learning support. The students enjoy anything interactive and visual. This would be a wonderful resource to engage them and give them a concrete connection between those three catergories :)

    srnagle@yahoo.com

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  6. My 5th graders and I are working on this right now, and they have been struggling a bit. Since we have to move on in our curriculum, I would use these cards as reinforcement center/game or even in a small group to reteach.

    shellabelle81@gmail.com

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  7. We just finished this chapter, but unfortunately many of my students are still struggling -- this would be perfect for my 5th graders!! Perfect differentiation!
    dana.mckeown@gmail.com

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  8. I currently teach 3rd but I would love to incorporate some of the easier fractions, decimals, and percents to prepare them for 4th. If they can recognize the common ones then in fourth they can concentrate on the harder ones!
    cortneykentfield@gmail.com

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  9. Percents, decimals, and fractions are such a difficult topic for my fifth graders. I love the idea of making this come to life through the Go Fish game! Thanks for creating!
    Laurenkathlyne@gmail.com

    Lauren

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  10. I teach the low math group and anything that gets them motivated to learn is great. They love to play games and interact with each other, so I can see this as something they would love. What a great idea! lizschuette@gmail.com

    Thanks!

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  11. I love that you thought about leveling them! I will use it as a center as we prepare for the BIG TEST as well. While a group of kids are working independtly on your game, I am playing with my low group so I can help them and re-teach as necessary and another group will be making review posters on the learned concept! Great idea and thanks for sharing!!!

    Wedgeworth5@gmail.com

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  12. Over 40% of my class is special education, so this would be a perfect activity for me to use during my morning work time. I love incorporating games into my instruction to motivate my struggling learners. kmrhoads (at) yahoo (dot) com Thanks! Kristin

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  13. This would be perfect for my 5th graders to use in centers, review, and reteach. I'm actually thinking about implementing Guided Math next year, so this would be perfect. Love it!

    jadeliu83@yahoo.com

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  14. I'm a homeschooler of 5 kids so we'd love to win this game. dawn@warrenbusinessassociates.com

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  15. I am finishing out my first year of teaching 5th grade overseas (in an American based school system). Since there was a lack of supplies in the classroom, I have been continually building up supplies and games for the 5th grade. I am always looking for hands-on activities for these kiddos, especially in math, so I would use this activity during class as review and as a "may do" for the earlier finishers. We actually just finished your "colonial quilts" activity which the kids loved, by the way (thank you). Though it was a review activity, it showed me they needed more practice! Thanks! -Alison
    alisonjkok (at) gmail (dot) com

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  16. What a fabulous idea! We, too, are currently working on percents, fractions, and decimals. My kiddos are doing pretty well with it for the most part, but I still have a few who are struggling with it. This game would certainly be a wonderful resource to have to not only practice, but to also promote enthusiasm in my students toward the concept. As a first year teacher, differentiated instruction is something I have been striving toward, so this would be fantastic for that as well! Love your blog and your many creative ideas! Thanks for taking the time to share your knowledge and skills with all of us...I know the "newbies" like me especially appreciate it! :)

    KimberlyLCalhoun@gmail.com

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  17. I have purchased several of your items and have used each of them with great success in the classroom! I wish I taught next door to you but following your blog is the next best thing!
    tredus@sbcglobal.net

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  18. Great idea! Thanks for sharing

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  19. I can definitely see this during our math station time!! I can also see early finishers using these cards independently or with a partner. The differentiation will be so helpful for the varying abilities in the class. This is wonderful! Thanks for making these!

    LAURIEG_1@comcast.net

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  20. So excited to see these! My students have a hard time with fraction/percentage conversion. I would use these as a review game after a whole group/small group lesson. Also, these would be great to use during our intervention time! Thank you for all your wonderful resources!

    mecernuto@yahoo.com

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  21. This is a great idea! This has been my first year to teach fifth grade math and I haven't had time to develop wonderful reviews like this. I could definitely see using these in my centers throughout the year and then for test review. I hope I am picked! If so, email me at btinker@madison.k12.al.us

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  22. I love your posts :)

    I am a 6th grade teacher but could definitely use these! I would do it the same way you did--review for the BIG TEST! But then I think next year I'd like to incorporate them into my weekly math centers for regular review.

    Leb86@aol.com

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  23. I love this idea! My students use skittles to create a pie chart, fractions, decimals and percents of each color. This game will be a great review especially for the TEST. sdelmundo@musd.net. Thanks for sharing!!!

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  24. What a fabulous idea. I think using them all year after introduction would be great. I teach an AIG math group and they struggle with this concept. I was thinking to even modify cards with blanks for certain place values and having them add what is missing with visage. I would loveto try yours. Thanks. Brandy bthompson@issue.k12.nc.us

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  25. I am a brand new teacher, just finishing my student teaching in 5th grade. I am so excited to get started and this would be a great differentiated classroom center idea. thanks docnvic@aol.com
    Vicki

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  26. I teach 4th grade GATE and my students would totally dig this game as a center! Great idea!

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  27. I teach 5th grade! This would be a great supplement and my students would love this. roora82@yahoo.com

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  28. I teach 5th grade and we are currently implementing PLC's at our school. I would use this game as a suplement to my curriculum to enrich, review, or reteach depending on the level of my students. As a reteach I think I would have the whole class play against the teacher. The ability to differentiate this game makes it flexible to use with all of my students.

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  29. I LOVE this! My students are just beginning to get a good grasp on these concepts. I'd love to use it during test prep as one of the stations before testing next week! jennyknox@hotmail.com

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  30. I really love your ideas and my kids will benefit from the game! Aneal@district133.org

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  31. I will use this in a math station I am starting next week. It is perfect timing. My 5th grade
    students have been struggling with this all year.
    gfox@jccu1.org

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  32. I think I am too late, but we are gearing up for the test next week so my fifth graders would LOVE this! hdevany@gmail.com

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  33. And we have a winner! Thank you again to all of you who commented. I really appreciate your participation on my blog :)

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  34. this is wonderful and would be perfect for the unit I'm on!

    msnow@pcsstn.com

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  35. Could you send this to me? Thanks so much.

    ricodm@leeschools.net

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  36. Can you please send this to me, it's a great idea!
    Thomas_monroe@ccpsnet.net

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Please leave a comment! I love to hear what you think about what is posted :)