Big Ideas:
The fraction name represents the number of equal shares.
A unit fraction is one of the equal shares that represents the whole.
This lesson builds on students’ work with partitioning area models and number lines into equal shares. These tasks use scenarios in which people are running and swimming races. Students will be asked to partition the race and name the fractional part each person is running. They will also need to identify the unit fraction which the swimmer is located. Students will be building their foundational knowledge of fractions by partitioning, naming, and locating unit fractions. The mathematical concepts in this lesson build toward students’ future work with composing, decomposing, and locating fractions on a number line, as well as comparing and equivalent fractions.
Vocabulary: equal shares, fraction, unit fraction, numerator, denominator, halves, thirds, fourths, sixths, eighths
Special Materials:
Ruler (optional)
Grid Paper (optional)
Blank Number Lines (Supplemental Handouts)
Swimming Pool Number Lines (Supplemental Handouts)
Lesson plan