Patterns for fraction strips: Photocopy each of the following pages, making sure your photocopier is set to copy exactly 100%, not 1.1 as is often the case. I colour code the denominators of the fractions by using a different colour of paper for each pattern page.
Page A: Use for halves, fourths, eighths, sixteenths. Cut the pages lengthwise along the solid lines. Students can fold the strips in half crosswise, fold in half again to show fourths and in half again to show eighths. Another fold will make sixteenths, but the thickness of the paper makes this fold difficult; an alternative is to open the strip up again and fold in half lengthwise to show sixteenths. Fold marks indicate the division lines, so there is no need to mark them in with pen unless you want to.
Page B: Use for thirds, sixths, and twelfths. Cut the pages lengthwise along the solid lines. Students can fold the strips along the dotted lines to make thirds. Once folded, they can fold in half to show sixths, and in half again to show twelfths. This final fold can be lengthwise or crosswise. Fold marks indicate the division lines, so there is no need to mark them in with pen unless you want to.
Page C: Use for fifths and tenths. Cut the pages lengthwise along the solid lines. Students can fold the strips along the dotted lines to make fifths. Once folded, they can fold in half to make tenths. This final fold can be lengthwise or crosswise. Fold marks indicate the division lines, so there is no need to mark them in with pen unless you want to.