Fractions worksheet, grades 5-6
Adding and Subtracting Fractions
- Unlike denominators and equivalent fractions
- Fraction data table with 3 questions
- Students write 3 of their own word problems
- Answer key, 4-page printable PDF
$4.00
Fraction Word Problems for 5th and 6th Grade: Let Students Write Their Own
Math, grades 5-6
Solving fraction word problems is one skill. Writing one is a harder test of whether students really understand what adding, subtracting and comparing fractions mean. Here is a short routine to teach it.
Short answer: Fraction word problems for 5th and 6th grade work best when students also write their own. To write a problem, a student has to choose a real situation, pick fractions that fit it and decide which operation the question needs. That shows understanding a page of solved problems cannot. Start with a model, a frame and peer checking.
Why should students write their own fraction word problems?
Most word problem practice runs one way: read, pick an operation, compute. Students can get through a page of these by spotting key words ("in all" means add, "left" means subtract) without picturing the situation at all.
Writing a problem turns this around. To write a fraction subtraction problem, a student has to imagine a whole, take part of it away and ask a question that subtraction answers. If they understand fractions, the problem makes sense. If they don't, you see it right away, often in ways a wrong answer would never show you.
- It shows the meaning of each operation. A student who writes "how much more" for a subtraction problem knows that subtraction compares.
- It shows whether the numbers are sensible. Someone who has eaten 7/4 of a pizza ate almost two pizzas. Writing makes students notice that.
- It supports CCSS 5.NF.A.2. The standard asks students to solve word problems with fractions and judge whether answers are reasonable. Writing problems practices both.
- Students solve each other's problems. That gives you a second round of practice made by the class.
What is a simple routine for writing fraction word problems?
This takes about 20 minutes the first time and less once students know it.
- Model one (3 minutes). Write a problem in front of the class and think aloud: what is the whole, which fractions, what is the question?
- Give a frame (2 minutes). Post: "[Name] had [fraction] of a [whole]. Then [something happened with another fraction]. How much [question]?"
- Write (7 minutes). Each student writes one problem of each type: addition, subtraction and comparison. Unlike denominators are required.
- Solve your own (3 minutes). Students solve their problems on the back. If they can't solve it, the problem needs fixing.
- Swap and check (5 minutes). Partners solve each other's problems and use the checklist below. Disagreements go back to the writer.
Keep the wholes simple for the first round: pizzas, ribbons, a pitcher of juice, a tank of paint. Things that are easy to cut into equal parts make better problems.
What are some example fraction word problems for 5th and 6th grade?
Use these as models before students write their own, or as extra practice.
Addition
Maya painted 1/3 of a fence on Saturday and 1/4 of it on Sunday. How much of the fence did she paint over the weekend? (1/3 + 1/4 = 4/12 + 3/12 = 7/12 of the fence)
Subtraction
A pitcher held 7/8 of a liter of lemonade. The class poured out 1/2 of a liter. How much lemonade is left? (7/8 - 4/8 = 3/8 of a liter)
Comparison
Sam ran 2/3 of a mile and Leo ran 3/5 of a mile. Who ran farther, and by how much? (2/3 = 10/15 and 3/5 = 9/15, so Sam ran 1/15 of a mile farther)
Notice that each example has a clear whole, fractions with unlike denominators and a question that only one operation answers.
How do you check a word problem a student wrote?
You are checking two things: is the problem a real, solvable problem, and does the student's answer match it? This table gives you what to look for with each type.
| Problem type | What to look for | Red flag |
|---|---|---|
| Addition | Two parts of the same whole joined together; the question asks for a total | Parts of different wholes added as if they were one (1/2 of a pizza plus 1/2 of a cake) |
| Subtraction | A starting amount and a part taken away, or a "how much is left" question | The amount taken away is larger than the starting amount |
| Comparison | Two amounts of the same kind of whole; the question asks which is bigger and by how much | Only asks "which is bigger" with fractions so different the answer is obvious |
| All types | Unlike denominators, a clear question, units (of a pizza, of a mile), an answer that makes sense | No question at all, or a story that describes fractions but never asks anything |
Do not mark a problem wrong only because it is easy. Instead, ask the writer to change one fraction so the denominators are harder to match.
Which worksheet includes a write-your-own fraction problems page?
Adding and Subtracting Fractions by The Learning Edit ends with this kind of task. Part 3 asks students to write an addition, a subtraction and a comparison word problem. Before that, Part 1 practices the operations and Part 2 has students answer three questions about a table of pizza eaten by four friends, which gives them a model of a fraction word problem before they write their own.
It is a short practice set: four pages (cover, two pages of tasks and an answer key) with nine tasks, for about 20-30 minutes. Part 3 answers vary, so use the checking table above. It costs $4.00, fits grades 5-6 and matches CCSS 5.NF.A.1 and 5.NF.A.2. For the method behind Parts 1 and 2, see adding and subtracting fractions with unlike denominators.
Questions teachers ask
What makes a good fraction word problem?
A clear whole, fractions that fit the situation and a question that one operation answers. For grade 5 practice, use unlike denominators.
What if a student writes a problem that can't be solved?
Have them try to solve it themselves first. Most students spot the problem when they get stuck, and fixing it is good practice.
Should students solve their own problems?
Yes. Solving their own problem is the first check. Then a partner solves it as a second check.
How do I grade student-written word problems?
Check that the problem is solvable, uses the right operation for its question and has a correct answer. The table on this page lists what to look for with each problem type.
Does the worksheet's answer key include the write-your-own problems?
No. Part 3 answers vary from student to student. The key covers Parts 1 and 2.
Is this activity too hard for 5th grade?
Not with a model and a sentence frame. Start with simple wholes like pizzas and ribbons and let students choose friendly fractions.
Get students writing fraction problems
Fraction operations, a pizza data table and a write-your-own page, with an answer key, for $4.00.
Keep exploring
Adding and Subtracting Fractions worksheetAdding and subtracting fractions with unlike denominatorsAll resources by The Learning Edit
Resources by The Learning Edit, a teacher-author selling on TeachLessons. Instant PDF download after checkout.