Number and Operations: Fractions

Learning Resource Type

Classroom Resource

Subject Area

Mathematics

Grade(s)

3, 4

Overview

In this interactive lesson, students will build fractions from unit fractions by applying and extending previous understandings of operations on whole numbers. They will understand a fraction a/b with a > 1 as a sum of fractions 1/b and decompose a fraction into a sum of fractions with the same denominator in more than one way, recording each decomposition by an equation. 

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): 4

MA19.4.15

Model and justify decompositions of fractions and explain addition and subtraction of fractions as joining or separating parts referring to the same whole.

UP:MA19.4.15

Vocabulary

  • Decomposition
  • Unit fraction
  • Area model
  • Length model
  • Equation
  • Mixed number
  • Visual fraction model
  • Whole
  • Sum
  • Difference
  • Recomposition

Knowledge

Students know:
  • Situation contexts for addition and subtraction problems.
  • A variety of strategies and models to represent addition and subtraction situations.
  • The fraction a/b is equivalent to the unit fraction 1/b being iterated or "copied" the number of times indicated by the numerator, a.
  • A fraction can represent a whole number or fraction greater than 1 and can be illustrated by decomposing the fraction.
    Example: 6/3 = 3/3 + 3/3 = 2 and 5/3 = 3/3 + 2/3 = 1 2/3.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • Decompose fractions as a sum of unit fractions.
  • Model decomposition of fractions as a sum of unit fractions.
  • Add and subtract fractions with like denominators using properties of operations and the relationship between addition and subtraction.
  • Solve word problems involving addition and subtraction using visual models, drawings, and equations to represent the problem.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • A unit fraction (1/b) names the size of the unit with respect to the whole and that the denominator tells the number of parts the whole is partitioned, and the numerator indicates the number of parts referenced.
  • A variety of models and strategies can be used to represent and solve word situations involving addition and subtraction.
  • The operations of addition and subtraction are performed with quantities expressed in like units, and the sum or difference retains the same unit.

CR Resource Type

Interactive/Game

Resource Provider

PBS

License Type

CUSTOM
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