Subtracting Fractions with Related Denominators Numeracy Assessment: Year 5 supports your students in demonstrating their understanding of fraction subtraction through a variety of engaging and purposeful tasks. This resource is designed to assess students’ ability to select and apply efficient strategies for subtracting fractions with the same or related denominators, while building number sense and confidence with fractions.

This assessment is ideal for both formative and summative use and works well in small groups, one-on-one settings or as part of whole-class instruction. A detailed and editable Australian Curriculum-aligned rubric is included to support consistent and clear teacher judgment. An answer sheet is also provided for fast and efficient marking.

Subtracting Fractions with Related Denominators Numeracy Assessment: Year 5 includes a range of structured and visual tasks. Students begin by solving subtraction problems using strategies of their choice, such as renaming fractions using equivalent forms, using visual fraction models, or representing subtraction on a number line. Flexibility in approach allows students to demonstrate conceptual understanding as well as procedural fluency.

Students also complete error-analysis tasks, identifying common misconceptions in fraction subtraction and explaining how to correct them. This helps develop deeper understanding of fraction relationships and highlights students’ ability to reason and reflect. A final task involves solving a word problem, writing a number sentence, and applying an efficient subtraction strategy—connecting learning to real-world contexts and mathematical communication.

Through these tasks, students demonstrate fluency with equivalent fractions, understanding of common denominators, and the ability to justify their thinking. This makes the resource an excellent tool for assessing more than just accuracy—it captures reasoning, flexibility and problem-solving skill in one streamlined assessment.

Key Learning Outcomes:

• ✅ Subtract fractions with the same or related denominators
• ✅ Use equivalent fractions and visual models to solve problems
• ✅ Identify and explain misconceptions in subtraction problems
• ✅ Solve word problems using number sentences and efficient strategies
• ✅ Justify reasoning and strategy selection using appropriate language

What’s Included:

• Student assessment worksheet with visual and applied tasks
• Editable Australian Curriculum-aligned teacher rubric
• Answer sheet for efficient marking

Materials Needed:

• Printed assessment worksheet
• Pencils and erasers
• Fraction circles, bars or number lines (optional visual support)

How to Use:

• Review subtraction strategies using visual aids and number lines.
• Model equivalent fraction conversions and their role in subtraction.
• Guide students through one example involving related denominators.
• Allow independent completion of the tasks using chosen strategies.
• Use the rubric to assess accuracy, reasoning and communication.

Ideas for Classroom Use:

• 💡 Use at the end of a unit on fraction operations as a final assessment
• 💡 Implement in small groups for targeted observation of strategy use
• 💡 Add to portfolios as evidence of reasoning and understanding
• 💡 Use as a discussion tool during parent-teacher interviews

Top Teacher Tips:

• 💛 Encourage students to estimate their answers before calculating
• 💛 Use error-analysis tasks to highlight common misconceptions and promote reasoning
• 💛 Strategy Comparison: Ask students to solve a problem two ways and explain their preference
• 💛 Create Your Own: Have students write and solve each other’s word problems for a peer task extension

Subtracting Fractions with Related Denominators Numeracy Assessment: Year 5 is a flexible and targeted tool for assessing fraction subtraction. It helps identify student strengths and next steps, supporting confident and effective maths instruction in upper primary.