How to add fractions is a FREE online tutorial for understanding fractions. This is the second article in a series of eleven.  Each article is a complete lesson on fractions.  In this article your child will learn how to illustrate the addition of fractions.  By creating mathematical models, your child will gain a deeper and more concrete understanding of adding fractions.  This deeper understanding will help to ensure a successful educational career. 

Articles within this series on Fractions:

1. How to do fractions, Free Online Tutoring in Math for Understanding Fractions
2. How to Add Fractions (like 4/7 + 3/7 )
3. How to Subtract Fractions (like 8/9 – 4/9 )
4. How to Add Fractions with Unlike Denominators (like 2/3 + 3/4 )
5. How to Subtract Fractions with Unlike Denominators (like 2/3 – 1/4)
6. How to Add Fractions that are Mixed Numbers (like 2 & 3/4 + 3 & 5/6 )
7. How to Subtract Fractions that are Mixed Numbers (like 3 & 3/4 – 2 & 5/6)
8. How to Multiply Fractions (like 2/3 x 5 )
9. How to Divide Fractions (like 6 ÷ ¾ )
10. How to Multiply Fractions (like 2/3 x 1/4)
11. How to Divide Fractions (like ½ ÷ ¼)

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How to add Fractions with Online Tutoring in Math: Challenge 1
Watch Me
Math Ninja Celebration

You just won the “Math Ninja” award at your school for solving problems about fractions.  It’s Celebration time!  Your mother made you two special pies to celebrate your awesomeness.  One pie is chocolate and the other is lemon.  She asked you to cut both pies into 1/7 parts.  After cutting the pies you are overwhelmed with temptation.  You decide to eat a few slices from each pie.  Now there is only 3/7 parts of the chocolate pie and 4/7 parts of the lemon pie.

How much pie do you have in all?

Watch this Free Tutoring for Math Video!

Press PLAY and Watch this Free Tutoring for Math Video below.  Then copy these strategies into your notes!

 

Does Your Child Need a Great Book to Read?

 

My son read every single one of these Magic Tree House books when he was young.  They really helped to develop his reading fluency as well as his comprehension.	I wrote this book when I was teaching in the primary grades.  It’s about a fourth grade boy who is being bullied.  He is taken to another world where he learns to face his fears. In the process, he saves the entire planet from an all-out war.	I wrote this book as a testament to myself.  I have dyslexia, and for years I felt limited by my disability.  I decided to write a novel to prove that no disability could hold me back.  Return to the Elves is a fantasy book for children in fifth and sixth grades.	This is my all-time favorite book for 6th grade. It is about a young lady in the time of the Pharos.  She is quite the heroine. This book dovetails perfectly with the sixth grade standard of studying Ancient Egypt.

Could your child benefit from a little One-On-One tutoring?

The problem below is called a “Work with Me” challenge.  This challenge encourages your child to work step-by-step along side me to solve this challenge.  All of the following challenges are called “On Your Own” challenges.  However, many of my students who struggle with fractions will do five or six of the “On Your Own” challenges as a “Work with Me” challenge.  They play the video, pause it, and copy the strategies until they feel comfortable and confident.  Doing the problems as a “Work with Me” challenge is like having a personal tutor.

How to add Fractions with Online Tutoring in Math: Challenge 2
Work With Me
Dog-Food Stealing Raccoon

A raccoon has been sneaking into your garage and eating your dog’s food for two nights.  He crawls through the doggy-door, opens the dog-food canister, tips it over, and starts chowing down.  You hear the clamor of crashing containers and rush to the garage, but the raccoon scurries out the doggy-door and hides behind a tree in your back yard.

The first night your Dog-Food Stealing Raccoon hid 3/5 of his body behind the tree.  The second night he hid 4/5 of his body behind the tree.

How much of his body did your Dog-Food Stealing Raccoon hide behind the tree in all?

Watch this Free Tutoring for Math Video!

Gather your materials and press PLAY.  We’ll solve this problem together, while you watch the math tutorial video below.

Is your neck tight?

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I have scaffold the problems in each lesson. 

The first problem in this article is a “Watch Me” problem.  The second is a “Work with Me” problem.  All the rest are “On Your Own” problems. 

*If your child needs a bit more support, they should complete the “On Your Own” problems as a “Work with Me” problem.  I have a number of students with gaps in their learning and others with a variety of  learning disabilities.  I have had incredible success, by having those students complete 5 to 7 problems within each lesson as a “Work with Me” problem.  They play a bit of the video, then pause it  and copy, then watch a bit more, pause it and copy.  My students Play – Pause – and Copy until the entire problem is solved.  This is like having a personal tutor working through each and every problem with your child.  Every one of my students who has used this strategy has passed the Common Core Proficiency Exam.

How to add Fractions with Online Tutoring in Math: Challenge 3
On Your Own
Trumpet Playing Dog

You have a very talented dog named Rex.  Not only can he sit, roll over, and fetch a ball, but Rex can also play the trumpet.  He is so good that he has been asked to give performances at local businesses.  The only problem is when Rex sees a cat.  It does not matter what he is doing, Rex will chase that cat.

Rex was giving a performance for the local fire department.  He was 2/9 of the way through the song when a black and white tabby-cat ran past.  Rex dropped his trumpet and took off after the cat.  Another time, Rex was playing for the Local Librarians convention when a couple of Siamese cats ran up a tree next to the deck where Rex was performing.  Once again, Rex tossed his trumpet aside and took off after the cats.  That time he was 4/9 of the way through his song.

How many songs was Rex able to play in all, before he began chasing cats?

Watch this Free Tutoring for Math Video!

Once you complete the problem – Hit PLAY on the math tutorial video below.  Good Luck!

Do your children get frustrated when they make a mistake?

We all make mistakes.  As a matter of fact, making mistakes is an essential part of the learning process.  This is why at the end of each of the following “On Your Own” challenges I encourage children to fix their mistakes.  Finding and fixing your own mistake is the fastest way to learn.

How to add Fractions with Online Tutoring in Math: Challenge 4
On Your Own
Tightrope Walking Panther

You have a favorite stuffed animal named, Pinky the Panther.  You decide to create a YouTube channel with a series of short movies called, “Pinky’s Adventures”.

In one movie, Pinky has joined the circus.  He is walking across a tightrope when the rope breaks and Pinky begins to fall.  Pinky makes it 5/8 of a yard before the tightrope brakes.  Luckily, a circus clown is driving a fire truck underneath Pinky.  Pinky lands on the latter as the clown drives under him.  The clown drives Pinky 7/8 of a yard to a pool of whipped cream.  Pinky jumps into the whipped cream, then stands up, licking his chops, and shouts, “That was fun.  Let’s do it again!”

The crowd goes wild.  How far did Pinky travel in all, from the beginning of the tightrope to the whipped cream?

Watch this Free Tutoring for Math Video!
Once you complete the problem – Hit PLAY on the math tutorial video below.  Good Luck!

Do you need some comfortable shoes?

Check out the Crocs Unisex-Adult Classic Clogs with their 45 different colors!
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• Rubber sole.
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How to add Fractions with Online Tutoring in Math: Challenge 5
On Your Own
Melvin the Mathematical Cat

Meet Melvin the Mathematical Cat.  He is a mathematical genius, and he is a cat.  For the past two days Melvin has been working on a problem for NASA.  He is trying to discover how much fuel is needed to travel to Mars.  He spent 5/6 of the first day calculating the distance from Earth to Mars, and 4/6 of the second day calculating the amount of fuel burned in space.

How many days did Melvin the Mathematical Cat spend on this problem?

Watch this Free Tutoring for Math Video!

Once you complete the problem – Hit PLAY on the math tutorial video below.  Good Luck!

Is it time for a relaxing cup of Tea?

Try a cup of Teavana Peach Tranquility tea.  I am sure that you will love it!

How to add Fractions with Online Tutoring in Math: Challenge 6
On Your Own
Ice-Cream Delight

You and your best friend are sitting in the front yard on a hot, hot day.  Sweat is dripping down your faces, and it feels like you are going to melt into the grass.  Your mother walks out with two Ice-Cream Delights.  You dig in and eat 6/8 of your ice cream in about 5-seconds.  You look at your friend and she has eaten 3/8 of hers.

How much of the Ice-Cream Delight did you and your friend eat in just 5-seconds?

Watch this Free Tutoring for Math Video!

Once you complete the problem – Hit PLAY on the math tutorial video below.  Good Luck!

Who doesn’t love a foot massage?

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• 🦶🏽 Multi Purpose Use and Non Slip Bottom: A typical daily work desk theme is shifting and moving. That’s why we equipped our footrest for under desk with a non slip bottom. It stays in place when you need it. And to give your legs a little wake up, simply flip it over and use it as a rocker to minimize fatigue
• 🦶🏽 Easy to Remove Cover, Machine Washable: The soft velour cover is removable and machine washable and can also be thrown in the dryer on low heat.

How to add Fractions with Online Tutoring in Math: Challenge 7
On Your Own
Comic Book Read-A-Thon

Your school is having a Comic Book Read-A-Thon.  You love comic books and pull out your two favorite books.  You read 6/7 of the first book before dinner, and 5/7 of the second book before bedtime.

How many comic books have you read in all?

Watch this Free Tutoring for Math Video!

Once you complete the problem – Hit PLAY on the math tutorial video below.  Good Luck!

How to add Fractions with Online Tutoring in Math: Challenge 8
On Your Own
Obstacle Course

You joined the Young American Obstacle Course Race Team.  You must run through forests, crawl under the ground in a tunnel, and climb across a rope course that is 30-feet above the ground.  During the first day of training you made it 2/6 of the way across the rope course before you fell.  Don’t worry, you were connected to a safety cable and glided slowly to the ground.  On the second day of training you made it 3/6 of the way across the rope course before you fell.

How much of the rope course did you complete in all?

Watch this Free Tutoring for Math Video!

Once you complete the problem – Hit PLAY on the math tutorial video below.  Good Luck!

Could you use a Portable Vacuum?

• KEEP YOUR CAR PROFESSIONAL LEVEL CLEAN! No more crumbs, dust or dirt! With the Worx Portable Car Vacuum Cleaner you’ll be free of any wet or dry messes, even liquids, cigarette ashes or pet hair.
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• CLEANING MADE EASY! The ergonomic design of this hand vacuum ensures you can reach all the nooks and crannies of your car. The transparent trash container makes it easy to empty it and the protective lid keeps the trash inside at all times
• The car vacuum set features 3 all-purpose nozzles, a carrying bag for easy storage, a special filter cleaning brush and a spare HEPA filter. It makes for an awesome gift for ride-sharing drivers & car lovers!

How to add Fractions with Online Tutoring in Math: Challenge 9
On Your Own
Gerald the German Shepard

Your dog, Gerald the German Shepard, is a world class obstacle course racing dog.  He is one of the fastest dogs in the nation.  You take Gerald to the National Championships in Washington DC for competition.  Gerald wins the entire race.

In the first run of the race, Gerald is given only three minutes to complete as much of the course as possible.  He completes 8/10 of the course.  On his second run, he is given only one minute to complete as much of the course as possible.  Gerald completes 5/10 of the course.

How much of the course did Gerald the German Shepard complete in all?

Watch this Free Tutoring for Math Video!

Once you complete the problem – Hit PLAY on the math tutorial video below.  Good Luck!

Are you a Barbecuing Machine?

• TIME SAVER – Bear Paws are the answer to perfectly shredded meat without the mess and headache of knives and forks. Easily grasp and shred pork, chicken, beef, and more with the ultra-sharp “claws.”
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• EASY & FUN TO USE – Lift, handle, shred, pull, and carve to your heart’s content. Excellent as turkey lifters, too!  The unique design gives you a perfect handhold for safely managing the super-sharp shredding blades.
• BBQ PRO FAVORITE – Featured on BBQ Pitmasters, Guy Fieri’s Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, and America’s Test Kitchen. Bear Paws have been named “Best BBQ Tool” by the National BBQ Association.
• THE ORIGINAL BEAR PAWS – The favorite BBQ accessory for years, Bear Paws are 100% made in the USA. Nobody beats the quality and strength of the Bear Paws product.
• Bear Paws will make your BBQs 100% more epic.

How add do Fractions with Online Tutoring in Math: Challenge 10
On Your Own
Mountain Bike Trip

Your whole family loves to mountain bike, so your parents take you on a trip to Mount Tamalpais in California, where the sport of mountain biking began.  The first day of your trip is foggy, but your family rides 7/9 of the mountain trial.  On the second day, your family rides 8/9 of the mountain trail.

How much of the Mount Tamalpais biking trail did you ride in all?

Watch this Free Tutoring for Math Video!

Once you complete the problem – Hit PLAY on the math tutorial video below.  Good Luck!

These Socks Are Super FUN!

• DONUT MISS OUT ON THESE AWESOME SOCKS: Men and women say these colorful and comfortable Donut socks make the best gifts because they get laughs fast.
• These funky food socks are super fun and appealing – the design features a variety of donuts with frosting and sprinkles to make your mouth water! The bottom of the socks draw extra laughs when you put your feet up, revealing a hidden message printed in non-slip ink: ‘If You Can Read This, Bring Me Some Donuts.’
• But Donuts are not the only hit.  Choose from Bacon, Waffles, Chocolate, Coffee, Ice Cream, Cookie, and many more.
• ONE SIZE FITS MOST:  Fits most men US size 6-13 feet and most women US size 7 and up.
• A GREAT GIFT FOR NOT A LOT OF DOUGH: Bake up some excitement around holidays or birthdays.
• PREMIUM KNIT SOCKS: These fun socks were created with passion to avoid the sloppy edges and fraying found on other novelty socks. The premium fabric ensures they will hold up for years of wears and washes without fading, while remaining soft, comfortable and well fitting.
• LUXURIOUS COMFORT: These novelty socks are made from a super soft blend of 5% elastic, 10% spandex, and 85% cotton, which allow them to comfortably stretch. With one touch you’ll notice how these socks gently hug your legs and feet without slouching or bunching.

Drill & Kill

Here is where we Drill until we Kill all our mistakes!

1. The following problems can all be solved with the same strategies we used to solve the first ten problems.
2. Solve all four problems on each page.
3. Watch the video & correct your work.
4. Review your work with your teacher.
5. If you get all 4 problems correct, your parent or teacher may tell you that you’re ready to move to the next book within this series.

Good Luck!

Drill & Kill Any Mistakes
Challenge 11

Problem 1 3/5 + 2/5?	Problem 2 7/9 + 3/9?
Problem 3 3/4 + 3/4?	Problem 4 4/7 + 4/7?

you complete the problem – Hit PLAY on the math tutorial video below.  Good Luck!

Drill & Kill Any Mistakes
Challenge 12

Problem 1 1/6 + 5/6?	Problem 2 7/10 + 7/10?
Problem 3 3/8 + 7/8?	Problem 4 4/5 + 2/5?

Once you complete the problem – Hit PLAY on the math tutorial video below.  Good Luck!

Drill & Kill Any Mistakes
Challenge 13

Problem 1 5/11 + 9/11?	Problem 2 6/7 + 6/7?
Problem 3 4/5 + 4/5?	Problem 4 5/8 + 5/8?

Once you complete the problem – Hit PLAY on the math tutorial video below.  Good Luck!

Drill & Kill Any Mistakes
Challenge 14

Problem 1 5/12 + 9/12?	Problem 2 6/11 + 6/11?
Problem 3 8/9 + 5/9?	Problem 4 9/13 + 7/13?

Once you complete the problem – Hit PLAY on the math tutorial video below.  Good Luck!

Need Help with Multiplication?

I have a series on Multiplication that is specifically designed for children who do not have all of their multiplication facts memorized.   The series is designed in a similar manner to this series on division, where each and every problem is linked to a video tutorial.  Here is a link to my series on Multiplication.

Need Help with Division?

I have a series on division that is specifically designed for children who do not have all of their multiplication facts memorized.   The series is designed in a similar manner to this series on multiplication, where each and every problem is linked to a video tutorial.  Here is a link to my series on Division.

Thank you for reading this article!

Want More Tutorials?

TeachersDungeon is an Educational Fantasy Game.  It is 100% FREE!  The game is set to the Common Core Educational Standards, and is web-based, so it can be played on any device.  Many of the questions are accompanied by tutorials like the ones you saw here.

One Last Thing

If you like this post and found it helpful, please leave a brief comment.   As a teacher, perhaps the greatest reward I receive is from parents, children, and fellow teachers who use my strategies of education and succeed.

My mission in life and as an educator is to make people feel empowered, self-assured, and happy about who they are in this world!  We all have gifts to bestow upon our world.  Go forth and do so, and know that you are awesome!

Have a fantastic day – Brian McCoy