Increase the depth of your class's fractional number sense with this number-ordering activity. Given four fractions, each with different numerators and denominators, young learners are asked to place them in order from smallest to largest. This challenging task encourages students to choose from three strategies for comparing fractions; using common denominators, common numerators, and benchmark fractions. Solutions will vary, so allow for a class discussion in which different approaches to solving the problem are shared.

Concepts

common denominators, fractions, comparing fractions, fraction ordering

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Additional Tags

comparing fractions, ordering fractions, comparing fractions with unlike denominators, common numerators, common denominators, least common denominators, math

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Pros

• Problem allows for students to develop their own unique solutions
• Includes multiple strategies for comparing fractions
• Clearly addresses the ability of learners to compare fractions

Cons

• Requires prior experience with strategies for comparing fractions

Common Core

4.NF.A.2 MP1 MP3