10 Fun Apps for Learning About Fractions

Fractions are like times tables, they are an integral part of every student’s basic maths education. I have always found that children who have a basic grasp of fractions quickly convert theses concepts when introduced to decimals and percentages. It is a fantastic moment when you see a child make the connection between the concepts of fractions, decimals and percentages. Sometimes it just takes someone to lay it out visually for them to see the explicit links between ¼, 0.25 and 25%. Here are some apps for guiding your students through the idea of fractions. Find one that appeals to them and step through it with them. This will give them a good grounding for future mathematical concepts.

	Slice Fractions $5.99 Slice Fractions has been developed with quality graphics and a sophisticated interface. Based around clearing a path for a woolly mammoth, it is intuitive and develops good conceptual awareness. Designed for students to have fun but still situated within a pedagogically sound environment. https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/slice-fractions/id794730213?mt=8
	Pizza Fractions: Ranked a top 100 iPad education app in the US in 2015 Pizza Fractions is a game based learning app designed to develop fractions skills from grades 2-5. In the pizzeria your child masters the concept of naming simple fractions. An approachable environment that develops confidence in a child’s ability to label fractions. https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/pizza-fractions-1/id374084320?mt=8
	Squebbles Fractions: The Squeebles want to enter the Cake Making Contest but the Maths Monster has stolen all their ingredients and their entry tokens. Students have to help the Squeebles win back their ingredients by working through the four fractions mini-games. They can then make cakes from over 100 ingredients and enter them into the contest! https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/squeebles-fractions/id557576867?mt=8
	Fractions by Braincamp: Fractions by Brainingcamp has everything you need for learning about fractions. It has a sequential order to the concepts with an introduction section as well as equivalent fractions, common denominator as well as adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing fractions. I like that the lessons come with visuals and audio narration.  https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/brainingcampfractions/id471353363?mt=8
	Fraction Basics: Fraction Basics is a video app that teaches kids the core concepts of fractions in 12 computer-animated, visually interactive videos. The app is designed to help children easily navigate the app to access just the lesson they need to tackle at the time. I like this because kids can come back to videos again and again for explanations.  https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/fraction-basics/id404527208?mt=8
	Fruity Fractions: Fruity Fractions allows kids to solve challenges and unlock the story of Quip the hungry parrot. Solve fraction problems correctly and the parrots receive tropical treats. I like the structured learning pathway and engaging problem solving aspect of this app. It really is a case of kids having fun and learning fractions without realising. https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/fruity-fractions/id859205944?mt=8
	Jungle Fractions: Not only is Jungle Fractions easy to use but it has beautiful graphics to illustrate concepts. The interface uses animal faces that smile and roar in a fun jungle theme. I like that the app tracks progress scores and supports multi-users. This means multiple kids in the classroom can have their details and scores tracked over time to monitor progress. https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/jungle-fractions/id376665194?mt=8
	Zap Zap Fractions: Kids learn the basics of fractions in a quick, visually-interactive and engaging way. With each new fractions lesson learnt, students are given a mission: to build parts of a spaceship. As students solve each question, they navigate their fully-constructed spaceship through the galaxy while zapping away asteroids.  https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/zap-zap-fractions/id865942865?mt=8
	Fractions by the Maths Learning Centre: Fractions lets students use a bar or circle to represent, compare, and perform operations with fractions. They can reveal or hide numeric labels as needed and superimpose fractions upon each other to compare fractions or see equal parts. Not a bad app at all for the visual learners in your group. https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/fractions-mlc/id1114674604?mt=8
	Visual Fractions Decimal and Percentages: This app allows a child to make the connection between the concepts of fractions, decimals and percentages, highlighting the explicit link between ¼, 0.25 and 25%. There are no games or quizzes. The purpose of the app is to build conceptual understanding between the links to decimals and percentages.  https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/fractions-decimals-percentages/id696974837?mt=8