Converting Improper Fractions to Mixed Numbers - I Have Who Has Game

Converting between improper fractions and mixed numbers is a fundamental skill that:

1. Develops number sense

• Helps students understand the relationship between wholes and parts

• Makes quantities more tangible and intuitive (7/3 becomes 2⅓, which is clearer)

• Strengthens understanding of place value and magnitude

2. Has practical applications

• Cooking measurements (2⅓ cups is more practical than 7/3 cups)

• Construction and carpentry (3¾ inches vs 15/4 inches)

• Everyday measurements and estimations

3. Builds mathematical foundations for:

• Adding and subtracting fractions

• Working with mixed operations

• Understanding rational numbers

• Later work with algebraic fractions

4. Improves mental math abilities

• Helps with estimation

• Makes calculations more manageable

• Develops flexible thinking about numbers

Directions for the Class Activity – I Have Who Has

1.  Make a copy of the cards and cut apart.  You will only need one set to reuse for all of your classes.  Use color paper and laminate if possible.  (I had a set of I Have Who Has cards that were not laminated, used them for several years, and they held up well.)  Keep an uncut copy for you to use as a key.

2.  Have students number 1 - 35 on a piece of paper.

3.  Mix up the cards and pass them out, one to each student.  There are 35 cards so if you have fewer than 35 students then give some students two cards.

4.  Any student can start with their WHO HAS.  (If some students have 2 cards, start with one of them.) The student that has the mixed number  for the WHO HAS statement speaks up and says I HAVE ____ WHO HAS_____. (reading their card) They should read their WHO HAS twice.  All students will record the answer on their paper whether they have the card or not, trying to beat the person who has the card.  Continue in this manner until you return to the starting card and they will then get to say their I HAVE.

5.  You can repeat this activity by mixing up the cards before handing them out again.  You can even repeat the activity over several days.

***** Make sure to count your cards after taking them back up from students.  Even one missing card ruins the activity.********