Ask students to turn to Question 4 on the Fractions on Number Lines pages in the Student Activity Book that they have completed.
- What does this collection of fraction strips and number lines remind you of? (The fraction chart.
The smallest fraction parts are at the top rather than the bottom and they are a little out of order.)
- How can you use the fraction strips to compare fractions? (When you fold fraction strips to show the fractions the longer the strip the greater the fraction, and the shorter the fraction strip the smaller the fraction.)
- How can you use the number line to compare fractions? (The number line helps you locate the fraction in relation to the benchmarks. For example, if it is closer to 1 or 0 or 1/2. If the fractions share a point on the number line the fractions are equal. Greater fractions are located to the right and smaller fractions are located to the left.)
Ask students to place a blank sheet of paper on their desks in the portrait position. Next ask students to organize their fraction strips in an order that might help them compare the fractions.
- In what order did you place the strip? (Responses will vary. Some students will place them in order like the fraction chart they saw in the Student Guide. Others may place the largest fraction part (1/2) on the top and the smallest fractional part on the bottom (1/8) and the rest in order in between. Some students may group the 1/2, 1/4, and 1/8 fraction strips together and then 1/3 and 1/6 fraction strips together.)
Once students are satisfied with their arrangement and order ask them to tape or glue their fraction strips in that order to the paper. This fraction chart can be used to compare fractions or locate fractions on the number line. There is also a Fraction Chart in the Student Guide Reference section.
