Lesson Plan: What Is a Fraction?

Lesson Objectives

  • Define and identify fractions as equal parts of a whole
  • Understand the meaning of numerator and denominator
  • Represent fractions using visual models
  • Partition shapes into equal parts and express the area of each part as a unit fraction

Common Core Standards Addressed

  • 3.NF.A.1 - Understand a fraction 1/b as the quantity formed by 1 part when a whole is partitioned into b equal parts; understand a fraction a/b as the quantity formed by a parts of size 1/b.
  • 3.G.A.2 - Partition shapes into parts with equal areas. Express the area of each part as a unit fraction of the whole.

Prerequisite Skills

  • Understanding of whole numbers
  • Ability to partition shapes into equal parts

Key Vocabulary

  • Fraction
  • Numerator
  • Denominator

Warm-up Activity (5 minutes)

  1. Display an unsliced pizza and various ways of slicing it. Use this slideshow: https://www.media4math.com/library/slideshow/slicing-pizzas
  2. Divide the class into small groups of 3-4 students.
  3. Ask the students to discuss how they would divide the pizza into equal slices so that everyone in the group gets a fair share.
  4. Discuss as a class the challenges they faced in ensuring equal parts and the importance of fractions in fair sharing.

Teach (20 minutes)

Defining Fractions

Modeling Fractions

  • Draw a circle on the board and divide it into equal parts (e.g., halves, thirds, fourths).
  • Label each part with the appropriate fraction (e.g., 1/2, 1/3, 1/4).
  • Use the slide show from the previous section: https://www.media4math.com/library/slideshow/fraction-basics
  • Repeat the process with different shapes (e.g., rectangles, squares) to reinforce the concept.
  • Encourage students to identify and label the fractions represented by the shaded parts.
  • Review these fraction circle models and have students identify the denominator represented by each fractional part: https://www.media4math.com/library/slideshow/fraction-circles

Review (5 minutes)

Assessment (10 minutes)

Use the following quiz to assess students.

Quiz

  1. What is a fraction?
    A. A fraction represents equal parts of a whole.
    B. A fraction is a whole number.
    C. A fraction is a type of measurement.
    D. A fraction is a type of shape.
  2. What does the numerator represent in a fraction?
    A. The total number of equal parts in the whole.
    B. The number of shaded parts.
    C. The number of equal parts being considered.
    D. The number of unshaded parts.
  3. What does the denominator represent in a fraction?
    A. The number of equal parts being considered.
    B. The total number of equal parts in the whole.
    C. The number of shaded parts.
    D. The number of unshaded parts.

  4. Which fraction represents the shaded portion of the circle below?

    A. 1/4
    B. 3/4
    C. 1/2
    D. 2/4

  5. If a rectangle is divided into 6 equal parts, and 3 parts are shaded, what fraction does it represent?
    A. 3/6
    B. 4/6
    C. 2/6
    D. 5/6
  6. Which of the following is NOT a fraction?
    A. 1/3
    B. 5/1
    C. 2/5
    D. 7/10
  7. What fraction is represented by the shaded portion of the square below?
    Fraction
    A. 5/8
    B. 2/8
    C. 3/8
    D. 4/8
  8. If a circle is divided into 5 equal parts, and 2 parts are shaded, what fraction does it represent?
    A. 1/5
    B. 3/5
    C. 4/5
    D. 2/5
  9. Which of the following fractions represents the shaded portion of the rectangle below?

Fraction
A. 1/6
B. 4/6 or 2/3
C. 5/6
D. 3/6

  1. If a square is divided into 10 equal parts, and 7 parts are shaded, what fraction does it represent?
    A. 7/10
    B. 3/10
    C. 5/10
    D. 8/10

Answer Key: 1. A, 2. C, 3. B, 4. D, 5. A, 6. B, 7. C, 8. D, 9. B, 10. A

 

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