Danielle Valasiadis

Interest Task 2
Jigsaw
Middle School Math Adding/Subtracting and Multiplying/Dividing Fractions
Task Introduction
This is an activity to review adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing fractions. In your home groups, you will
pick a number out of the basket on your table. This number will assign you to your expert group where you will
become experts on the concept. In your expert groups, you will review, research, and practice your concept while
filling out the graphic organizer. Once the time is up and you are all experts in your assigned concept, you will go
back to your home groups to tell them what you did and what you learned.
Expert Group 1

Expert Group 2

Expert Group 3

Expert Group 4

Adding Fractions

Subtracting Fractions

Multiplying Fractions

Dividing Fractions

Understanding Goals:
Adding and subtracting are inverse operations
Adding fractions is putting them together to find a
sum
Subtracting fractions is taking something away
Knowledge Goals:
Fractions must be in simplest form
Need a common denominator
Create equivalent fractions
Add or subtract the numerator, but the denominator
stays the same
Skill Goals:
Analyze the difference between adding and
subtracting fractions. When do you add fractions?
When do you subtract fractions?
Determine how to find the least common
denominator of unlike fractions.

Understanding Goals:
Multiplication and division are inverse operations
Multiplying fractions is taking a part of a whole
Dividing fractions is how many parts of a whole can be
divided into
Knowledge Goals:
In order to multiply and divide fractions, fraction must
be in numerator over denominator form
Answer must always be in simplest form
Dividing Fractions Keep, change, change
Multiplying Fractions Multiply numerator, multiply
denominators
Skill Goals:
Analyze the difference between multiplying and
dividing fractions. When do you divide fractions? When
do you add fractions?
Determine when to multiply fractions and divide
fractions in a word problem.

Expert Group Understanding Check

Students will get into their new groups based on the card number they picked. In these groups, you will first
individually look through your notes and write down the KEY concepts you need to know. You will come together as
a group to discuss which KEY concepts you all came up with and create a list together. You will then solve the given
problem on your own. Once everyone is finished, you will talk through and write down all the steps you took to get to
the correct solution. Together, you will then create a word problem and write down the reasons it is an (addition,
subtraction, multiplication, or division problem). Since you are now experts on your given topic, you will go back to
your home group and explain it to your peers. Refer to the checklist below to see all steps.
Home Group Synthesis / Sharing Task
Students will return to their home groups and explain what they learned in their expert groups. Students should be
recording everything down in the correct section of the graphic organizer. You will tell your group the KEY concepts
you came up with that you all must know and understand. You will then give your group the problem to solve. You
will then ask someone if they can explain what they did to solve the problem and then share your explanation. Then
give your group your word problem and state the reasons why that is an (addition, subtraction, multiplication, or
division problem).
Ex: This is a subtraction problem because you are taking something away.

Whole Class Discussion / Sharing

We will regroup together as a class and the students will share what they learned. One student from each group will
share the word problem they came up with and the reasons behind it. As a class, we will wrap up the review and
students will have a chance to ask questions.
Home Group Accountability
As students leave, they will show me their graphic
organizer and I will check off that they did it. Students
will take it home to study from it.

Individual Understanding Check

Exit Card: Choose two of the following concepts from
above (NOT the one you became an expert on). Write at
least two key concept on each topic. Then write a detailed
explanation of how you know how to go about solving a
word problem for each of your two concepts.
Ex: When reading a subtraction word problem, how do you
know you are subtracting and what order you subtract in.

CHECKLIST
Expert Group One Adding Fractions
Look through your notes and list all key concepts
Individually solve the addition problem
Once everyone is finished, talk it through together and write down all your steps you took to get the
solution. (Ex: finding common denominator, creating equivalent fractions, adding the numerators,
simplifying if needed)
Together, create an addition word problem. Write down your steps to solve the word problem and the
reasons why it is an addition problem.
Expert Group Two Subtracting Fractions
Look through your notes and list all key concepts
Individually solve the subtraction problem
Once everyone is finished, talk it through together and write down all your steps you took to get the
solution. (Ex: finding common denominator, creating equivalent fractions, subtracting the numerators,
simplifying if needed)
Together, create a subtraction word problem. Write down your steps to solve the word problem and the
reasons why it is a subtraction problem.
Expert Group Three Multiplying Fractions
Look through your notes and list all key concepts
Individually solve the multiplication problem
Once everyone is finished, talk it through together and write down all your steps you took to get the
solution. (Ex: canceling out, multiplying numerators, multiplying denominators, simplifying)
Together, create a multiplication word problem. Write down your steps to solve the word problem and
the reasons why it is a multiplication problem.
Expert Group Four Dividing Fractions
Look through your notes and list all key concepts
Individually solve the division problem
Once everyone is finished, talk it through together and write down all your steps you took to get the
solution. (Ex: Leave change change, simplifying)
Together, create a division word problem. Write down your steps to solve the word problem and the
reasons why it is a division problem.

Jigsaw Review Activity

Name: _________________________________

Date: __________________

Review: Adding/Subtracting and Multiplying/Dividing Fractions

Key Concepts
Problem and Steps
Word Problem and Reason
Adding
Fractions

Subtracting
Fractions

2 3
+
6 12

4 2

5 15

Multiplying
Fractions

2 5
X
3 4

Dividing
Fractions

6
3
/
8
5

Jigsaw Evaluation
Category

3 points

2 points

1 points

Choose two
concepts (not on
the topic you
became an expert
on)
Write at least two
key ideas for each
concept

Chose two concepts

that were not your
own.

Chose two concepts

but both or one
were on your expert
group.

Chose none or only

one concept.

Wrote at least two

key ideas for both
concepts.

Wrote less than two

key ideas for each
concept.

Wrote only a key

idea for one
concept.

Write an
explanation on
how you know how
to solve a word
problem

Thoroughly
explained for each
concept how you
know how to solve
a word problem.

Briefly explained
how you know
about solving a
word problem for
each concept.

Only explained oneword problem for

one concept.

Total:

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