Fraction Addition Manipulative

This is a manipulative for adding fractions using prime factors. There is a horizontal bar, operations symbols, and numbers. There are also numbers that go on both sides of the horizontal bar to represent "cancelling." Everything docks intuitively together.

The widths are based on logarithms, so 2*3=6 the width of 6 is the 2 and 3 put together. The text file includes a list of widths. I included a wide variety of files, in case you want to modify the work. The three PRINT files are what I think are the essential files for most classrooms or homes; I would print one set per partnership.

This project was designed mostly by my students. I'm very proud of them. If you use this with your kiddos, I'd love a comment telling us how it goes; I have most of them the next two years, so I'll get them your comments.

The known "problem" with this system is that it has a lot of pieces and requires significant storage. The burden of use may also help transition students once they master the skil