Semester 1 Topic 5 Level H

Task Name : Comparing Fractions Dice Game Task Level : H (Year 7)
Semester : 1 Topic : Comparing Fractions VC Strand : Real Numbers
Web Address : http://maths.crusoecollege.vic.edu.au/rnH
Equipment Needed : Three ten-sided (1-10) dice and one positive/negative dice per pair; A3 paper to draw a number line.
Victorian Curriculum outcome : Compare fractions using equivalence. Locate and represent positive and negative fractions and mixed numbers on a number line
Task description : .Students play the comparing fractions dice game. The objective is to create the highest fractions possible. Students roll the three ten-sided dice, plus the positive/negative dice. The positive/negative dice identifies if the fraction will be positive or negative. Students arrange the three ten-sided dice in order from smallest to largest: the smallest becomes the whole number, the second highest, the numerator and the largest the denominator. Students then plot each fraction on a number line. Students work out whether their fraction was higher or lower than the previous playerโ€™s fraction, and show this comparison on their blog. Play continues until each player has played five fractions each. Points are awarded based on how high the fractions are: the student who played the highest fraction gets ten points, the second highest fraction gets nine, and so on. Students should have a minimum of ten comparisons made in this way (students will need to play two or three games to achieve this).
Assessment options : Photograph of the number line, comparisons.
Teacher notes : The rules of the game can be difficult to explain โ€“ make sure you demonstrate with your students before getting them to play. The video can aid this.