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Overview

This 4-day lesson series aligns with the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics:

• CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.4.NF.C.3 — Understand addition and subtraction of fractions with unlike denominators by replacing given fractions with equivalent fractions with like denominators.
• CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.4.NF.C.6 — Solve word problems involving addition and subtraction of fractions referring to the same whole and having like denominators or unlike denominators.

Students will build fluency in adding and subtracting fractions with unlike denominators, supported by visual fraction models and real-world applications.

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Learning Objectives

By the end of this unit, students will be able to:

• I can find common denominators to add and subtract fractions with unlike denominators.
• I can solve word problems by adding and subtracting fractions with unlike denominators.
• I can use visual models to represent fraction addition and subtraction involving tenths and hundredths.

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Success Criteria

Students demonstrate success when they can:

• Identify equivalent fractions with common denominators.
• Accurately add and subtract fractions with unlike denominators.
• Explain their reasoning orally or in writing using fraction models or number sentences.
• Solve contextual problems involving fractional quantities.

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Materials Needed

• Fraction strips or fraction circles
• Whiteboards and markers
• Copies of NC04M_LQ_L19 quiz items adapted for practice
• Visual fraction models (tenths/hundredths grids)
• Dyslexia-friendly reading sheets (clear font, simple wording)
• Exit ticket worksheets

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Day 1: Review - Adding & Subtracting Fractions With Unlike Denominators (NC.4.NF.3)

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Anticipatory Activity (10 minutes)

• Warm-up Discussion: "If I have 1/4 of a pizza and you have 1/3 of a pizza, how much do we have altogether?"
• Introduce the problem visually with fraction strips.
• Students try adding 1/4 + 1/3 on whiteboards.

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Teacher Instruction (15 minutes)

• Explicitly model how to find a common denominator (e.g., least common multiple of 4 and 3 is 12).
• Convert fractions to equivalent fractions (1/4 = 3/12, 1/3 = 4/12).
• Add the fractions by adding numerators (3/12 + 4/12 = 7/12).
• Model subtraction similarly.
• Use visual fraction circles/strips to reinforce.

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Student Work / Lesson Application (15 minutes)

• Students practice adding & subtracting fractions with unlike denominators using fraction strips and number sentences.
• Partner activity: Students explain how they found common denominators and solved the problems.
• Translate visual models into number sentences.

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Small Group / Differentiated Instruction (5 minutes)

• Support learners: Use fraction strips and guided practice with teacher support focusing on identifying equivalent fractions with like denominators.
• Advanced learners: Challenge with fractions beyond tenths/hundredths (e.g., denominators like 8 and 12).
• Dyslexia-friendly approach: Use dyslexia-friendly materials and encourage oral explanations over reading lengthy text.

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Exit Ticket

• One problem asking students to add fractions with unlike denominators visually shown.
• “I can” self-assessment: “I can add fractions with unlike denominators by finding equivalent fractions.”

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Day 2: Understanding Fractions as Tenths and Hundredths (Using NC04M_LQ_L19 Reference)

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Anticipatory Activity (5 minutes)

• Display shaded fraction grids for tenths and hundredths (e.g., 7/10 and 77/100).
• Ask students to discuss which is larger and why.

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Teacher Instruction (15 minutes)

• Review how tenths and hundredths relate as equivalent fractions (e.g., 7/10 = 70/100).
• Use grids to visually show equivalency.
• Highlight the importance of common denominators when adding tenths and hundredths.
• Connect to real-world contexts: weights, lengths, money.

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Student Work / Lesson Application (20 minutes)

• Students complete problems similar to the NC04M_LQ_L19 quiz (modified for practice):
  • Decide True/False equivalency statements (e.g., 7/10 = 70/100).
  • Add fractions like 3/10 + 70/100 using grids and number sentences.
  • Shade fraction models for combined fractions.

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Small Group / Differentiated Instruction (5 minutes)

• Support learners: Use fraction grids labeled clearly, and work in a guided small group focusing on converting to hundredths.
• Extension: Students create word problems involving adding tenths and hundredths using models.
• Dyslexia-friendly reading: Read problems aloud and provide visual cues.

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Exit Ticket

• Students write an addition sentence for two fractions (one in tenths, one in hundredths).
• Self-assess understanding using "I can" statement.

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Day 3: Adding and Subtracting Fractions in Real-World Contexts (NC.4.NF.6)

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Anticipatory Activity (5 minutes)

• Present a real-world problem: Marcus plants 6/10 of his garden with daffodils and 11/100 with sunflowers. How much garden is planted altogether?
• Students estimate total fraction.

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Teacher Instruction (15 minutes)

• Model writing addition equations to combine fractions involving tenths and hundredths.
• Use fraction grids to support understanding.
• Discuss strategies for converting fractions so they have common denominators.

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Student Work / Lesson Application (20 minutes)

• Students solve word problems adapted from reference materials:
  • Addition and subtraction word problems with unlike denominators.
  • Use fraction models to support answers.
  • Explain their reasoning both orally and in writing.
• Partner sharing: Students present problem solutions to each other.

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Small Group / Differentiated Instruction (5 minutes)

• Support learners: Scaffold word problems by breaking into smaller steps with visual aids.
• Extension: Challenge students to create and solve their own multi-step fraction word problems.
• Dyslexia-friendly: Use bullet points and visuals to support reading comprehension.

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Exit Ticket

• Solve a word problem involving subtracting fractions with unlike denominators.
• Reflect: “I can explain how I found common denominators to solve the problem.”

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Day 4: Assessment & Extension

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Anticipatory Activity (5 minutes)

• Review key terms and strategies verbally with the class quiz-style game (e.g., “Turn and Talk” about equivalent fractions and common denominators).

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Assessment (30 minutes)

• Quiz combining objectives from NC.4.NF.3 and NC.4.NF.6:
  • Adding/subtracting fractions with unlike denominators using visual models and number sentences.
  • Word problems requiring explanation of reasoning.
• Use dyslexia-friendly printed versions with larger spacing, simple fonts, and visuals included.

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Extension Activities (for early finishers)

• Create fraction addition or subtraction problems with uncommon denominators.
• Use technology (e.g., fraction apps or digital fraction strips) to visualize and solve extended problems.

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Small Group / Differentiated Support (10 minutes)

• One-on-one review for students needing extra help with specific concepts.
• Challenge advanced learners to explain more complex fraction operations or solve multi-step problems.

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Exit Ticket

• Self-reflection checklist:
  • “I can add and subtract fractions with unlike denominators.”
  • “I can solve word problems using fractions with unlike denominators.”
• Teacher collects for informal assessment of confidence.

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Differentiation Strategies

• Visual learners: Use fraction strips, grids, and fraction circles throughout.
• Kinesthetic learners: Manipulate physical fraction models actively.
• Auditory learners: Use think-alouds and partner discussion.
• Struggling readers/dyslexia: Provide dyslexia-friendly print formats, read problems aloud, and use clear, jargon-free instructions.
• Advanced learners: Extend to multi-step problems and introduce improper fractions with unlike denominators.

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Reflection & Follow-Up

• Encourage students to keep a fraction journal with drawings, number sentences, and problem-solving reflections.
• Use student errors as learning moments for reteaching or enrichment.
• Integrate technology next unit to reinforce fraction operations.

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This comprehensive approach ensures students master fraction operations with unlike denominators using multiple representations and real-world problem solving, meeting the Common Core State Standards effectively and engagingly.