Write 2/8 = 3/12 on a display.
- Is this true? How do you know? (Yes, the fraction strips are the same length. The fraction circles cover the same space.)
- Name another fraction equivalent to 2/8 and 3/12. (Both are equal to 1/4.)
- Write number sentences to show that both 2/8 and 3/12 are equal to 1/4. [See Figure 5.]
- Use your circle pieces to show that 2/8 and 3/12 and 1/4 are all equivalent.
Ask students to complete the number sentence 6/12 = ?/8.
Since students cannot multiply the numerator and denominator by a whole number to find an equivalent fraction, they must use another strategy. Students can use their fraction charts to show that the length of the 6/12 fraction strip is the same length as the 4/8 fraction strip. Or, they can use the fact that 6/12 and 4/8 are both equal to 1/2.
Assign the Equivalent Fractions Quiz Assessment Master from the Teacher Guide. Students will need fraction circle pieces and the Fraction Chart.
Use the Equivalent Fractions Quiz Assessment Master with Feedback Box to assess students' progress toward writing number sentences from area models [E6] and finding equivalent fractions using area models and multiplication and division strategies [E8].
Targeted practice for E8 is located in the Lesson 10 Workshop.
Students might need help organizing their thoughts or getting started on Question 3 of the Equivalent Fractions Quiz. Encourage students to use the Fraction Chart or fraction circles whenever they can.
- Which fractions are equal? How do you know?
- Is 6/9 = 4/6? How do you know?
- Is 4/6 = 8/12? How do you know?
- Is 4/6 = 40/60? How do you know?
- Is 9/12 = 4/6? How do you know?
