Free printable Thanksgiving activity

Thanksgiving Fraction Feast Activity

A printable 20-problem Thanksgiving fractions worksheet with models, equivalents, comparisons, mixed numbers, operations, and answers.

Grades 3–520 problemsAbout 55 minutesReference data and answers
Download the free activity PDF

Why this activity works

Sharing dishes creates a natural setting for fractions, but the activity goes beyond decorative pie slices. Students connect fractions to quantities, justify comparisons, combine unlike parts, and reason backward from a portion to a whole.

Teaching note

Ask what the whole represents before discussing the numerator or denominator. Many fraction errors begin when students silently change the size of the whole between steps.

Materials

  • Pencil
  • Crayons or fraction strips
  • Optional paper plates for models

Directions

Complete each feast station. Draw or use fraction strips when helpful, and simplify every final fraction.

Feast table at the start

DishEqual servingsServings remaining
Cornbread129
Apple pie83
Roasted vegetables106
Cranberry bread65

Complete activity preview

Use the reference table above when provided. All questions and solutions also appear in the printable packet.

Set the table

Write fractions from the serving table and simplify when possible.

  1. 1What fraction of the cornbread remains?
  2. 2What fraction of the apple pie has been eaten?
  3. 3What fraction of the roasted vegetables remains?
  4. 4What fraction of all 36\displaystyle 36 starting servings remains across the four dishes?

Compare the dishes

Use benchmarks or common denominators to compare portions.

  1. 5Which has a greater fraction remaining: cornbread or cranberry bread?
  2. 6Order 38\displaystyle \frac{3}{8}, 23\displaystyle \frac{2}{3}, and 56\displaystyle \frac{5}{6} from least to greatest.
  3. 7Without calculating decimals, compare 79\displaystyle \frac{7}{9} and 712\displaystyle \frac{7}{12}.
  4. 8Compare 56\displaystyle \frac{5}{6} and 79\displaystyle \frac{7}{9} using a common denominator.

Equivalent servings

Build equivalents and connect fractions to whole-number quantities.

  1. 9Complete 34=n20\displaystyle \frac{3}{4}=\frac{n}{20}.
  2. 10A tray has 24 rolls. If 23\displaystyle \frac{2}{3} remain, how many rolls remain?
  3. 11Six slices are 38\displaystyle \frac{3}{8} of a pie order. How many slices were in the full order?
  4. 12Complete n42=57\displaystyle \frac{n}{42}=\frac{5}{7}.

Combine and share

Add, subtract, and multiply fractional quantities.

  1. 13A family serves 25\displaystyle \frac{2}{5} pan of stuffing at lunch and 14\displaystyle \frac{1}{4} pan later. How much is served?
  2. 14A 2 14\displaystyle \frac{1}{4}-pound dish has 56\displaystyle \frac{5}{6} pound left. How much was eaten?
  3. 15Four tables each receive 316\displaystyle \frac{3}{16} of a batch. What fraction is distributed?
  4. 16Find 134÷78\displaystyle 1\frac{3}{4}\div\frac{7}{8}.

Host's challenge

Analyze errors and design a fractional plan.

  1. 17A student says 27\displaystyle \frac{2}{7} + 37\displaystyle \frac{3}{7} = 514\displaystyle \frac{5}{14}. Correct the reasoning.
  2. 18One third of guests choose pie and 14\displaystyle \frac{1}{4} choose fruit. What fraction choose something else?
  3. 19Divide 24 rolls so 12\displaystyle \frac{1}{2} are wheat, 13\displaystyle \frac{1}{3} are corn, and the rest are plain. Give each count.
  4. 20After 25\displaystyle \frac{2}{5} of the guests leave, 27\displaystyle 27 remain. How many guests started?
Open the complete solutions

Equivalent forms and clearly supported open-ended responses should receive credit.

Set the table

1. 912\displaystyle \frac{9}{12}, or 34\displaystyle \frac{3}{4}

2. 58\displaystyle \frac{5}{8}

3. 610\displaystyle \frac{6}{10}, or 35\displaystyle \frac{3}{5}

4. 2336\displaystyle \frac{23}{36}

Compare the dishes

5. Cranberry bread; 56\displaystyle \frac{5}{6} > 34\displaystyle \frac{3}{4}

6. 38\displaystyle \frac{3}{8}, 23\displaystyle \frac{2}{3}, 56\displaystyle \frac{5}{6}

7. 79\displaystyle \frac{7}{9} > 712\displaystyle \frac{7}{12} because ninths are larger pieces

8. 56>79\displaystyle \frac{5}{6}>\frac{7}{9} because 1518>1418\displaystyle \frac{15}{18}>\frac{14}{18}

Equivalent servings

9. 1520\displaystyle \frac{15}{20}

10. 16 rolls

11. 16 slices

12. n=30\displaystyle n=30

Combine and share

13. 1320\displaystyle \frac{13}{20} pan

14. 1 512\displaystyle \frac{5}{12} pounds

15. 1216\displaystyle \frac{12}{16}, or 34\displaystyle \frac{3}{4}

16. 2\displaystyle 2

Host's challenge

17. The pieces remain sevenths, so the sum is 57\displaystyle \frac{5}{7}

18. 512\displaystyle \frac{5}{12}

19. 12 wheat, 8 corn, 4 plain

20. 45\displaystyle 45 guests

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