Lesson Plan: Fractions on a Number Line
Lesson Objectives
- Represent fractions on a number line
- Divide number lines into equal parts
- Locate fractions on a number line
- Understand fractions as numbers with specific locations
Florida BEST Standards
- MA.3.FR.2.2: Plot and locate fractions on a number line, including fractions greater than one and mixed numbers.
- MA.3.FR.1.1: Represent and interpret unit fractions in the form 1/n as the quantity formed by one part when a whole is partitioned into n equal parts.
- >MA.3.FR.1.2: Represent and interpret fractions, including fractions greater than one, in the form of m/n as the result of adding the unit fraction 1/n to itself m times.
- MA.3.FR.2.1: Plot, order and compare fractional numbers with the same numerator or the same denominator.
Prerequisite Skills
- Understanding of fractions (Review lesson 1 as necessary: https://www.media4math.com/LessonPlans/IntroToFractionsFLBEST)
- 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
Administer this 10-question quiz.
Quiz
- Plot 1/2 on the number line.
- Plot 3/4 on the number line.
- Plot 2/3 on the number line.
- Identify the fraction represented by the point on the number line.
- Identify the fraction represented by the point on the number line.
- Plot 5/6 on the number line.
- Plot 1/3 on the number line.
- Plot 3/5 on the number line.
- Identify the fraction represented by the point on the number line.
- Identify the fraction represented by the point on the number line.
Answer Key
- 1/2 should be plotted at the midpoint of the number line.
- 3/4 should be plotted at the 3/4 mark on the number line.
- 2/3 should be plotted at the 2/3 mark on the number line.
- 1/4
- 3/6 or 1/2
- 5/6 should be plotted at the 5/6 mark on the number line.
- 1/3 should be plotted at the 1/3 mark on the number line.
- 3/5 should be plotted at the 3/5 mark on the number line.
- 5/8
- 4/6 or 2/3
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