These activities allow you to explore mixed numbers and improper fractions with the help of visual models and the number line. You can also play a game where you make mixed numbers from visual models.
There are three sections:
In the first section (Intro), you will first of all build improper fractions using different visual models or a number line. You can choose the numerator and the denominator of the fraction, to see how it is illustrated with a visual model or on a number line. Then you can choose to show it as a mixed number.
This is a great place for students to investigate how the numerator and the denominator of a fraction actually work and what happens if you increase/decrease one or the other.
Teachers can use this to illustrate fractions and mixed numbers on a number line.
Lastly, in the "Lab" section you can play with different size pieces (either a pie model or a rectangular model). You can put, say, ⅙ and ⅓ into the same circle and see what you get. Or, you might put two fifths into the circle, then a fourth, then a third, and notice it doesn't quite make one full "pie" — there is a little empty slice left.
Teachers can use this section to illustrate equivalent fractions.
These activities best suit third and fourth grades.
Simulation by PhET Interactive Simulations, University of Colorado Boulder, licensed under CC-BY-4.0 (https://phet.colorado.edu).
Screenshots from the game and activities:
