Lesson 4

Folding Fractions

Est. Class Sessions: 2
X

Mathematical Standards

3.NF.A
Develop understanding of fractions as numbers. (3.NF.A.1, 3.NF.A.2. 3.NF.A.3)
3.G.A
Reason with shapes and their attributes. (3.G.A.2)

Standards for Mathematical Practice

MP1.
Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them.
MP2.
Reason quantitatively.
MP3.
Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others.
MP4.
Model with mathematics.
MP5.
Use appropriate tools strategically.
MP7.
Look for and make sense of structure.

Students fold uniform strips of paper into equal parts to show halves, fourths, eighths, thirds, and sixths, labeling each part according to the fraction it represents. Then they organize their fraction strips into a chart and use it to find equivalent fractions and to compare and order fractions according to size. Finally, they locate fractions on the number line.

Content in this Lesson

  • Representing fractions using fraction strips and number lines [E1].
  • Representing fractions using words and numbers [E2].
  • Partitioning fraction strips into given fractions [E6].
  • Recognize that fractional parts of a unit whole may be different shapes but must be the same size [E3].
  • Comparing and ordering fractions using fraction strips and number lines [E10].
  • Locating fractions on the number line [E1].
  • Making connections among representations of fractions using fraction strips and number lines [E8].
  • Finding equivalent fractions using fraction strips and number lines [E9].
X

Materials for Students

Daily Practice and Problems Lesson Homework Assessment

Student Books

 Student Guide
Student Activity Book

Teacher Resources

 Teacher Guide - digital

Supplies for Students

scissors
crayons, colored pencils
ruler
blank sheet of paper
tape or glue
envelope for storing fraction strips

Materials for the Teacher

Fraction Strips for the Teacher Master (Teacher Guide)
Display of Showing Fractions on Number Lines Master (Teacher Guide)
Unit 9 Assessment Record
Display the Fraction Names chart from Lessons 2 and 3

Materials Preparation

Fraction Strips for the Teacher. Prepare a set of fraction strips to use for demonstration in the lesson. You will need to prepare strips for the whole, halves, fourths, eighths, thirds, and sixths. Color the strips on a copy of the Fraction Strips for the Teacher Master, then cut them out and fold them. Use the color code for fraction strips shown in Figure 1 to match the colors of the fraction circle pieces students have been using and will use in Lesson 5. Fractions are listed in order of use in the lesson.

Figure 1
Figure 1: Color code for fraction strips

Comparison Symbol Chart. Make and display a chart showing the greater than (>), less than (<), and equal to (=) symbols. Leave posted for the duration of the unit to help students recall the meaning of the symbols as they learn to use them.

Assessment in this Lesson

Assessment Expectation Assessed Math Practices Expectation Assessed

Folding Fractions
Homework Section
Check-In: Questions 6–8
Student Guide
Page 261
and corresponding
Feedback Box
Teacher Guide - digital
Page 137
E3.
Recognize that fractional parts of a unit whole may be different shapes but must be the same size.
E9.
Find equivalent fractions using models (e.g., circle pieces, fraction strips, number lines, drawings).
E10.
Compare and order fractions using area models, number lines, and one-half as a benchmark.
MPE2.
Find a strategy. I choose good tools and an efficient strategy for solving the problem.
MPE5.
Show my work. I show or tell how I arrived at my answer so someone else can understand my thinking.

Fractions on Number Lines
with Feedback Box
Student Activity Book
Page 347–354
E3.
Recognize that fractional parts of a unit whole may be different shapes but must be the same size.
E6.
Partition shapes by a given unit fraction.
E8.
Make connections among representations of fractions including symbols, words, area models, and number lines.
E9.
Find equivalent fractions using models (e.g., circle pieces, fraction strips, number lines, drawings).
E10.
Compare and order fractions using area models, number lines, and one-half as a benchmark.