When I started student teaching, some forty years ago, I clearly remember seeing fractions in an image format. I didn't remember seeing that ever, when I was a student. I thought it was an ingenious way to introduce fractions and it sure is. What a great way to get students to understand that the shaded part represents the numerator and the number of total pieces within the shape represents the denominator. Students will fill in fractions of shapes and convert the picture into a numerical problem that they will then solve.

How do you add fractions visually? Let's see if we can calculate what 5/6 plus 1/4 is, and to help us, we have a visual representation of 5/6 and 1/4. Draw a whole frame and divide it into one to six sections. You will shade only 6 sections that will be 5/6. Draw another frame. Make one out of four equal portions shaded in so this 1/4 and you have to add them. Now, figure out this: 5/6 + 1/4 In fractions, you must have a least common denominator. Take particularly divisible by both side's number. You will need a value over 12. ::: _ /12+ /12 -> (a) ::: You will essentially multiply these sections. You will turn six original sections into two and then, you have 12 sections. The 10 portions from them belongs to 5/6. Arrange the eq.(a) and multiply the original 6 by two. 5/6 = 10/12 Do the same thing with 1/4. When you have something over 12, each section will turn into in three. You will have 3 out 12 equal sections. 1/4 = 3/12 The whole value will be: 5/6 + 1/4 = 10/12 + 3/12 = 10 + 3/12. It is because you have shaded three times 1/12. These worksheets explain how to add through the use of visual image-based fractions. Students should start with the basic lesson to help them spring forward.