You don't have to be an ancient Egyptian to decipher fractions in this activity that focuses on adding fractions with unlike denominators and developing fraction number sense. Egyptians represented fractions differently than we do. They expressed fractions through expressions using unit fractions in which no two denominators were alike: e.g., 2/3 was written as 1/2 + 1/6. Fifth graders are asked to solve two sets of problems on this worksheet: the first set constructs fractions and the second deconstructs fractions. A formal lesson plan is not included, but the information on the three-page document is complete and ready to use in the classroom.

Common Core

5.NF.A.1 MP2 MP8