Scholastic
Study Jams! Equivalent Fractions
Submarine sandwiches not only taste good, they also make for great math models. Follow along as Zoe explains how to calculate equivalent fractions, while cutting up a sandwich for herself and her friend. She demonstrates the process...
Illustrative Mathematics
Explaining Fraction Equivalence with Picture
Visual models are a great tool for demonstrating the concept of equivalent fractions. Given two pictures, young mathematicians first identify each fraction and then write an explanation for why they are equivalent. Use as a guided...
Illustrative Mathematics
Money in the Piggy Bank
It's time to crack open that piggy bank and see what's inside. First, count up the pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters, identifying what fraction of them are dimes. Then calculate the total value of the coins, writing another fraction...
Illustrative Mathematics
Dimes and Pennies
Help your fourth graders make cents out of fractions and decimals with this short word problem. After learning that dimes are one-tenth and pennies one-hundredth of a dollar, students write a fraction and decimal for a given number...
Illustrative Mathematics
Plastic Building Blocks
Let's build a castle! Dennis and Cody have big plans, but do they have enough blocks between the two of them to accomplish their goal? A great context that requires students to add and compare mixed numbers. Encourage the use of pictures...
Illustrative Mathematics
Using Benchmarks to Compare Fractions
Introduce a new strategy for comparing fractions by analyzing Melissa's use of benchmarks. Walk the class through her process, calling on students to explain their understanding of each step she took. Then practice this method on two...
Illustrative Mathematics
Doubling Numerators and Denominators
Understanding the meaning of fractions is a challenge for many young learners. These two questions examine what happens when the numerator and denominator of a fraction are doubled. Consider allowing students to discuss their ideas...
Illustrative Mathematics
Comparing Two Different Pizzas
What better way to learn about fractions than with a couple pizzas? Help Jessica figure out how much of the pizza she has eaten, while teaching your class that fractions refer to a specific whole amount. This problem will be challenging...
Curated OER
Which is Closer to 1?
A seemingly simple question that reveals a lot about a student's understanding of fractions. In finding an answer, learners compare fractions with different denominators that are both greater and less than one. No number line is...
Curated OER
Locating Fractions Greater than One on the Number Line
Supplement your lesson on improper fractions with this simple resource. Working on number lines labeled with whole numbers between 0 and 5, young mathematicians represent basic improper fractions with halves and thirds. The fractions...
Curated OER
Jon and Charlie's Run
Let's use math to solve an argument. Jon and Charlie are debating about who can run farther, but who is right? That's what your class will figure out as they apply their understanding of fractions to this real-life situation. A simple,...
Curated OER
Find 2/3
This short problem with representing fractions on a number line is more than meets the eye. Labeled only with the numbers zero and 1/4, a number line is used to locate the fraction 2/3. A solution can be found in multiple ways, but young...
Curated OER
Find 1
Extend your class's ability to represent unit fractions on a number line with this challenging worksheet. Given two number lines, one labeled with zero and 1/4, the other with zero and 5/3, young scholars must accurately locate the...
Curated OER
Comparing Fractions with the Same Numerators, Assessment Variation
Have your class demonstrate their ability to compare fractions with this short multiple-choice assessment. Using the fractions 9/8 and 9/4, the students first make comparisons using both words and the greater than/less than signs. Next,...
Illustrative Mathematics
Fractions on the Number Line
Fractions are a common fear in school, but visualizing them on a number line can help your learners understand their relationship to one another. The activity provides two solutions; use either a number line or a common denominator....
Illustrative Mathematics
Video Game Credits
Help your learners understand how to divide fractions with this visual activity. They first answer a simple inequality before dividing the fractions. Two solution choices are given to help your mathematicians understand how to solve "how...
Illustrative Mathematics
Cup of Rice
Dividing with fractions is not a favorite task, so provide your learners with a visual understanding. The activity breaks a simple division problem into something they can comprehend. Use this method for future problems with...
Illustrative Mathematics
Making Hot Cocoa, Variation 1
Dividing with fractions can be a confusing task to some, but the activity illustrates how to make groups out of the problem and look at it visually. Use this problem with the instructional activity in the Additional Materials section to...
Illustrative Mathematics
Making Hot Cocoa, Variation 2
Learners are introduced to dividing by fractions in a visual way. Setting up groups from the information in the problem allows them to see what we divide and why. Use with the previous lesson, which can be found in Additional Materials,...
Illustrative Mathematics
Molly's Run, Assessment Variation
Part of as assessment series, the activity follows the lesson Molly's Run to practice ratios and dividing with fractions. Different solution options are given for your learners' preference. The commentary explains how the...
Illustrative Mathematics
Cooking with the Whole Cup
Whoops! Travis accidentally put too much butter into the recipe. Your bakers must find out how to alter the recipe to accommodate different changes by using unit rates and ratios . The activity has multiple parts and calculations with...
Illustrative Mathematics
Track Practice
And they're off! While two runners are at track practice, your mathematicians' job is to find out who leaves the other in the dust. The activity provides a variety of data that can be computed into unit rates for comparisons. Available...
Illustrative Mathematics
Molly's Run
A simple lesson with a lot of support behind it. Your learners will find out how long it takes Molly to run a mile by choosing their solution method. The activity can be used as a lesson or as an independent assignment. Preface with...
Curated OER
Closest to 1/2
Using a number line, pupils are asked to identify which of four fractions is closest to one half. Includes a single problem that can serve as a practice problem or formative assessment for 3rd or 4th graders learning to partition number...