Grade 4 Math Newsletter - Fractions and Decimals
For about the next 4 weeks the students will be working on a Fraction and Decimal unit in math.
In this unit, your child will:

Model, name, and record fractions.

Compare and order fractions.

Interpret and model decimals as tenths and hundredths.

Explore equivalent decimals.

Use decimals to record money values.

Add and subtract decimals to hundredths, including money.
Fractions and decimals are a common feature in our world. Encourage your child to look for and
use fractions and decimals at home. For example, when your child is reading a book, ask her to
tell you when she has read about one-half. If you are dividing something into equal pieces, such
as a cake, have your child name fractions that describe the pieces. For example, when a cake is
cut in 8 equal pieces, each person receives one-eighth of the cake. While shopping, encourage
your child to look for decimals on price tags or labels. Have your child help you estimate the
total amount of your items, and how much change you will receive.
Attached you will find some games to play at home to reinforce the skills being taught in class.
Please note we will not be starting decimals until the week of March 17th, so you may want to wait
on those games. Here are a couple of fun websites that have math games. Learning is always
more fun if you make a game out of it.
http://pbskids.org/cyberchase/games/equivalentfractions/index.html
another game matching pictures of fractions to it’s written form
http://www.ixl.com/math/grade-2/fractions-parts-of-a-group
it says grade 2 but it is a good review of basic fractions
http://ca.ixl.com/math/grade-4/order-fractions-from-least-to-greatest
http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/math.htm - this site has games for all sorts of math strands.
Click on the icon labled fractions and you’re all set.
If you have any questions about this unit please do not hesitate to contact me.
Mrs. Macleod
diane.macleod@nbed.nb.ca
turn over for games you can play at home
FRACTION FORCE
You’ll need: a deck of cards – face cards removed
Object: Make the largest fraction
 Deal out the cards evenly and place them face down on the table
 Player 1 turns over the top 2 cards and makes a fraction (smallest number for
the numerator)
 Player 2 does the same thing
 The player with the largest fraction takes all 4 cards (If the fractions are
equal, they remain on the table. Whoever wins the next round takes all four
cards)
Don’t forget to use your benchmarks. Use a number line or draw a picture to help
you compare fractions if needed.
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GREATEST DECIMAL
You’ll need: die
 Each player draws blanks for the digits in a decimal ____ . ____ ____
 The players take turns rolling the die and recording the digit for the decimal.
You get to decide where to put it. After a digit is written, it cannot be
changed
 The game ends when all players have filled the blanks.
 The winner is the player with the greatest decimal
Variation – The player with the smallest decimal is the winner.