5 th Grade Math Activities

Common Denominator Race

If your fifth grader dislikes doing fractions, this fun game will give him plenty of practice
in calculating the lowest common denominator of two fractions, albeit in an interesting
and challenging manner.

You will need:

• Index cards
• Permanent marker
• 2 players

Instructions:
• Write 20 different numbers on as many index cards, but most of these numbers should
NOT be prime numbers. Mix up smaller numbers (within 1 and 20) with a few larger
ones with a lot of factors.

• Divide the cards into 2 piles of 10 and give them to the players.

• At the word “Go!” players turn up one card in their pile and place it in the center of the
table.

• The goal of the game is to calculate the lowest common denominator of both cards
and say it aloud. The first player to call out the correct numbers wins the round.

• Repeat the above steps for subsequent rounds.

• When all the cards are done, the player who won the most rounds, gets a prize.

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