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App review by Debbie Gorrell, Common Sense Education | Updated June 2015
Everyday Mathematics Equivalent Fractions

Everyday Mathematics Equivalent Fractions

Fraction card game has potential, misses the mark for solid learning

Learning rating
Editorial review by Common Sense Education
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Grades
4–5 This grade range is based on learning appropriateness and doesn't take into account privacy. It's determined by Common Sense Education, not the product's publisher.
Subjects & Skills
Math, Critical Thinking
Platforms:  iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch
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Take a look inside

4 images
The main screen makes navigation easy.
Kids match cards that show equivalent fractions.
Each round ends with a simple "Game Over" screen.
A narrated tutorial teaches gameplay basics.

Pros: Playing the solitaire-style card game is fun.

Cons: There's no learning progression, progress tracking, or variety in gameplay.

Bottom Line: A good concept overall, but learning potential is limited.

How Can I Teach with This Tool?

Use Everyday Mathematics Equivalent Fractions for targeted practice in the classroom. If enough devices are available, kids should practice independently. Or, kids can take turns and keep track of their scores for each round that they play. Keep a class leaderboard and challenge kids to time each other as they play. See who can earn the highest score in the fastest time.

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Standards:

Everyday Mathematics Equivalent Fractions is a card game for drilling equivalent fraction concepts. The main screen has three buttons: Kids tap the "Start" button to begin playing the game, the "How to play" button to view the instructions, and the "Guided play" button to start playing with a brief review of the instructions. To play, kids tap two cards that show equivalent fractions. If the cards are a match, they disappear and kids earn points. Then, other cards become available for matching, and gameplay continues from there. Kids can earn extra points for making two or more matches in a row, and earn the greatest number of points for clearing the board. The game ends when no more matches can be made.

This app gives kids an opportunity to practice an important skill: The numerical and bar model representations on each card can help kids identify fractions that are equivalent, and it's useful that they can drag the cards to view them side by side. Kids work with a variety of fractions including halves, thirds, fourths, fifths, sixths, eighths, tenths, and twelfths. All that being said, there's limited instruction and limited potential for improving kids' understanding of these critical concepts. Since constructive feedback isn't offered, the app is best suited for kids who have a good grasp of the concept and just need a brief review. The game doesn't progress in difficulty as kids play and there aren't any options for selecting a challenge level, which limits the learning potential.

Overall Rating
Engagement Would it motivate students and hold their interest? Is it visually appealing? Would it inspire teachers to try something new or change their instruction?

It's fun to play a round or two, but there's no variety in the gameplay. Kids can't keep track of their scores and don't earn prizes, so they may lose interest quickly.

Pedagogy Does the tool help teachers promote a more student-centered experience? Will students gain conceptual understanding or think critically? Does it deepen teachers’ pedagogical thinking?

Cards have both numerical and bar model representations, which helps kids visualize fractions. The game doesn't have leveling or learning progression, and feedback isn't offered.

Support Can students and teachers get assistance when they need it? Is it created with people of different abilities and backgrounds in mind? Is learning reinforced and extended beyond the digital experience?

A narrated and animated tutorial teaches kids how to play the game. Progress can't be viewed or saved.

Common Sense reviewer
Debbie Gorrell Educator
See how we rate and review

Key Standards Supported

Number And Operations—Fractions

  • 3.NF.3

    Explain equivalence of fractions in special cases, and compare fractions by reasoning about their size.

  • 3.NF.3.a

    Understand two fractions as equivalent (equal) if they are the same size, or the same point on a number line.

  • 3.NF.3.b

    Recognize and generate simple equivalent fractions, e.g., 1/2 = 2/4, 4/6 = 2/3). Explain why the fractions are equivalent, e.g., by using a visual fraction model.

  • 4.NF.1

    Explain why a fraction a/b is equivalent to a fraction (n × a)/(n × b) by using visual fraction models, with attention to how the number and size of the parts differ even though the two fractions themselves are the same size. Use this principle to recognize and generate equivalent fractions.

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