Printable Fraction Bars – Visual Math Manipulative

Working on fractions? Here is a hands on way to help make a little more sense out of them. Your child will be able to actually see how these pieces relate to one another. There is a black and white version (you can print and color them how ever you would like) or there is a color version. The one whole piece will fit all of the other fraction pieces. For example, you can show your child how 1/2 plus 1/2 equals one whole by actually placing the two 1/2 pieces on to the one whole piece. You can also demonstrate how 1/4 goes on to the 1/2 piece two times, or goes on to the one whole piece four times.

I hope these can help you and your child when learning about fractions!

Directions: If you are choosing the black and white version, print and color. Laminate for durability if you can. Then, cut out along the dotted lines which ever set of fraction bars you are going to use. You can show your children how fractions work by demonstrating how the fraction pieces relate to each other. The one whole piece will fit all of the other fraction pieces. For example, you can show your child how ½ plus ½ equals one whole by actually placing the two ½ pieces on to the one whole piece. You can do the same with demonstrating how (for example) ¼ goes into ½ twice.

Suggestion: Keep the pieces organized by using small snack size sandwich baggies, then put everything together in a larger zip lock bag. Or, you could paperclip the pieces together by their fractions and store in a small container or baggie. Whatever works for you!