Lesson Plan: Fractions on a Number Line

Lesson Objectives

• Students will be able to represent fractions on a number line.
• Students will be able to identify and plot fractions on a number line.

Common Core Standards

3.NF.A.2 - Understand a fraction as a number on the number line; represent fractions on a number line diagram. 

Prerequisite Skills

• Understanding of fractions (Review lesson 1 as necessary: https://www.media4math.com/LessonPlans/IntroToFractions)
• Familiarity with number lines

Key Vocabulary

• Number line
• Fraction
• Numerator
• Denominator

Warm-up Activity

Number line modeling activity

• Use this slide show to demonstrate different fraction number lines: https://www.media4math.com/library/slideshow/fraction-number-lines
• Show them a blank number line and ask them to divide the number line into equal parts (e.g., halves, thirds, fourths).
• Have students label the fractions on the number line.

Teach

Relating Fractions to the Number Line Model

• Start by showing whole number being graphed on a number line. Use this slide show: https://www.media4math.com/library/slideshow/graphing-whole-numbers-number-line
• Explain that a number line is for graphing numbers.
• Since fractions can be graphed on a number line, reinforce that fractions are another type of number (different from whole numbers, but still numbers).
• Show how fractions can be represented on a number line by dividing the line into equal parts. Refer back to the fraction number lines shown earlier: https://www.media4math.com/library/slideshow/fraction-number-lines

Plotting Fractions on Number Lines

• Use this slide show to present graphing whole numbers on a number line and how fractions are graphed: https://www.media4math.com/library/slideshow/fractions-and-whole-numbers-number-line
• Model how to plot fractions on a number line by counting the number of parts indicated by the numerator and marking the corresponding point on the line.
• Provide examples with different denominators (e.g., halves, thirds, fourths) and have students plot the fractions on their own number lines.

Review

Practice identifying fractions on a number line:

• Display a number line with various fractions plotted. Use this slide show: https://www.media4math.com/library/slideshow/fractions-number-lines
• Ask students to identify the fractions represented by different points on the line.
• Encourage students to explain their reasoning.

Assess

10-question quiz

1. Plot 1/2 on the number line.
   
2. Plot 3/4 on the number line.
   
3. Plot 2/3 on the number line.
   
4. Identify the fraction represented by the point on the number line.
   
5. Identify the fraction represented by the point on the number line.
   
6. Plot 5/6 on the number line.
   
7. Plot 1/3 on the number line.
   
8. Plot 3/5 on the number line.
   
9. Identify the fraction represented by the point on the number line.
   
10. Identify the fraction represented by the point on the number line.
    

Answers:

1. 1/2 should be plotted at the midpoint of the number line.
2. 3/4 should be plotted at the 3/4 mark on the number line.
3. 2/3 should be plotted at the 2/3 mark on the number line.
4. 1/4
5. 3/6 or 1/2
6. 5/6 should be plotted at the 5/6 mark on the number line.
7. 1/3 should be plotted at the 1/3 mark on the number line.
8. 3/5 should be plotted at the 3/5 mark on the number line.
9. 5/8
10. 4/6 or 2/3

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