Lesson: Musical Addition/Fractions

Grade Level: 3rd - 5th grade

Objectives:
Students will
1) Learn how beats, fractions, and musical notes are related
2) Identify different types of musical notes
3) Solve fraction problems using musical notes

Materials:
1) Powerpoint presentation
2) Musical fraction worksheet

Procedure
1) Using the power point, introduce the different types of musical notes.
Explain that different notes represent a specific value of beats in a four
beat measure.
2) Discuss the value of each musical note using the power point.
3) Explain to the class that musical notes can also be used in math; review the
different fractions for each note (use the powerpoint for this).
4) Model solving musical fractions on the power point.
5) Call on students to come to the board and complete problems. (answers: A- 2;
B- + 1= 1 ; C- + 1= 1 ; D- + = 2/4 or ; E- + 1/8= 3/8; F-
1/8 + 1/8 = 2/8 or ; G- + 1/8 = 5/8 ; H- 1/8 + 1= 1 1/8
6) Hand out the musical fraction worksheet. Have the students complete two
lines of problems together and two lines of problems individually.
7) Worksheet extension: have students create 5 musical addition/fraction
problems and an answer key.
8) Have the students switch papers and solve and check their answers.

Formative assessment: During the powerpoint, students will be assessed on how

well they respond to questions and answer individually on the board.
Summative assessment: Students will be assessed on how well they do on the
worksheet and the worksheet extension.
 Name ______________________________

Instructions: Write the answer to each problem using fractions where applicable. If
the answer is a fraction that is equivalent to a music note, draw the music note as
well. SHOW YOUR WORK!

+= _____ + =______

+ =_____ + =______

Answer Key
Line one: + = ; 1 + = 1

Line two: + 1 = 1 ; + =

Line three: 1/8 + 1/8= 2/8 or - quarter note should be drawn; + = 2/4 or ;
half note should be drawn

Line four: + = 1 (whole note should be drawn) ;1/16 + 1/16= 2/16 or 1/8
(eighth note should be drawn)