Math + Arts: Musical Fractions

Learning Resource Type

Classroom Resource

Subject Area

Mathematics

Grade(s)

3

Overview

This is a free classroom resource from PBS.  Teachers will need to click on Procedure to access the full activity. 

There are three options for this lesson, depending on class needs and time available:

  1. Frame, Focus, and Reflection (view and discuss): students will watch segments from CyberChase that introduce or reinforce fraction concepts.
  2. Short hands-on activity: students will play a game with fractions.
  3. Project: students will explore fractions through rhythmic sequences.
Mathematics (2019) Grade(s): 3

MA19.3.13

Demonstrate that a unit fraction represents one part of an area model or length model of a whole that has been equally partitioned; explain that a numerator greater than one indicates the number of unit pieces represented by the fraction.

UP:MA19.3.13

Vocabulary

  • Unit fraction
  • Area model
  • Interval
  • Length (Linear) model
  • Partition
  • Numerator
  • Denominator
  • Part
  • Point
  • Whole

Knowledge

Students know:
  • Fractional parts of a whole must be of equal size but not necessarily equal shape.
  • Denominators represent the number of equal size parts that make a whole.
  • The more equal pieces in the whole, the smaller the size of the pieces.
  • The numerator represents the number of equal pieces in the whole that are being counted or considered.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • Use an area model and length model to show a unit fraction as one part of an equally partitioned whole.
  • Explain that given a fraction with a numerator greater than one, the numerator indicates the number of unit fraction pieces represented by the fraction.
    Example: 3/4 is the same as 3 units of 1/4 size, or three 1/4 pieces, 3 copies of 1/4, or 3 iterations of 1/4.
  • Identify and describe the fractional name given a visual fraction model.
  • Identify and demonstrate fractional parts of a whole that are the same size but not the same shape using concrete materials.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • Given the same size whole, the larger the denominator, indicating the number of equal parts in the whole, the smaller the size of the pieces because there are more pieces in the whole.
  • Fractions are numbers that represent a quantity less than, equal to, or greater than 1.
  • Fractions represent equal partitions of a whole.
Mathematics (2019) Grade(s): 3

MA19.3.14

Interpret a fraction as a number on the number line; locate or represent fractions on a number line diagram.

UP:MA19.3.14

Vocabulary

  • Fraction
  • Number line
  • Number line diagram
  • Unit fraction
  • Interval
  • Partition
  • Point
  • Denominator
  • Numerator

Knowledge

Students know:
  • How to use fraction strips as a model to connect to finding fractional parts on a number line.
  • Fractions are numbers that can be represented on a number line.
  • Fractions can be placed on the number line by marking off equal parts between two whole numbers.
  • Fractions equal to 1 have the same numerator and same denominator.
  • Fractions greater than 1 have a numerator that will be greater than the denominator.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • Represent fractions on a number line.
  • Locate fractions on a number line.
  • Use a number line and partition an interval from 0 to 1 into equal parts as specified by the denominator of a fraction.
  • Represent a non unit fraction on a number line by marking off unit fraction lengths as specified by the numerator from zero.
  • Extend the number line to include fractions greater than one as a continuation of counting unit fractions.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • A number line is a length model.
  • Fractions are numbers that represent a quantity less than, equal to, or greater than 1 and can be placed on a number line.
  • A number line can be partitioned to represent equal parts of a whole.

CR Resource Type

Lesson/Unit Plan

Resource Provider

PBS

License Type

Custom
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