Lesson 1
Representations of Fractions (Part 1)
Lesson Purpose
Lesson Narrative
In grade 3, students were introduced to fractions as numbers. They learned to name and represent fractions, to recognize simple equivalent fractions, and to compare fractions with like numerators and denominators (limited to 2, 3, 4, 6, and 8). They used fraction strips, area diagrams, tape diagrams, and number lines to support their reasoning with fractions.
This lesson activates students’ prior knowledge of unit fractions and includes fractions with new denominators 5, 6, 10, and 12. Students revisit the meaning of numerator and denominator, name unit fractions, create representations for them, and recall some strategies and tools for reasoning about fractions.
The idea of equivalence may naturally come up (and will help to prepare students for upcoming work), but it is not the focus of this lesson.
- Engagement
Learning Goals
Teacher Facing
- Make sense of the numerator and denominator of unit fractions that have denominators 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, and 12.
- Use physical and visual representations to reason about fractions.
Student Facing
- Let’s name some fractions and represent them visually.
Required Materials
Required Preparation
Activity 1:
- Each group of 2 needs 4 strips of equal-size paper (cut lengthwise from letter-size or larger paper or use the provided blackline master).
Lesson Timeline
Warm-up | 10 min |
Activity 1 | 20 min |
Activity 2 | 15 min |
Lesson Synthesis | 10 min |
Cool-down | 5 min |
Teacher Reflection Questions
Suggested Centers
- Get Your Numbers in Order (1–5), Stage 3: Denominators 2, 3, 4, or 6 (Addressing)
- Mystery Number (1–4), Stage 3: Fractions with Denominators 2, 3, 4, 6 (Supporting)
Print Formatted Materials
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Student Task Statements | docx | |
Lesson Cover Page | docx | |
Cool Down | Log In | |
Teacher Guide | Log In | |
Teacher Presentation Materials | docx | |
Blackline Masters | zip |