Beacon Lesson Plan Library

Fraction Action

Cindy Jacobs

Description

Students create fractions using strips of paper and then compare the fractions.

Objectives

The student compares and orders commonly used fractions, including halves, thirds, fourths, fifths, sixths and eighths, using concrete materials.

Materials

-Construction Paper Cut Into One Inch Strips (Four Per Student)
- Paper
- Glue
- Pencils
- Markers

Preparations

1. Gather materials needed for the lesson.
2. Construction paper needs to be cut into strips in advance.

Procedures

1. Ask students if they would rather have 1/4 or 1/8 of a slice from their favorite pizza? Discuss.

2. Give each student four strips of pre-cut construction paper.

3. Instruct students to fold one of their strips into two equal parts, four equal parts, eight equal parts, and leave one unfolded.

4. Tell students to trace the fold lines on each strip. Also, have them label each section of the strips with corresponding fractions such as: 1/2, 1/4, and 1/8.

5. Have students compare the 1/2 and 1/4 strips. Ask which strip has more equal parts? What do you notice about the size of the parts when there are more equal parts? Which is larger 1/2 or 1/4? How many fourths equal one half?

6. Next, have students compare the 1/4 and 1/8 strips. Ask which has more equal parts? Which is larger 1/4 or 1/8? How many eighths equal 1/4? How many eighths equal 3/4?

7. Students should compare the whole strip to the other strips. Ask how many halves equal one whole? How many fourths and eighths equal one whole?

8. Instruct students to glue their fraction strips on a sheet of paper in the order from largest to smallest. They should glue them in the following order: whole, halves, fourths, and eighths.

9. Write the following questions on the board for students to answer on the same sheet of paper:

1. Which is fraction is greater: 1/4 or 1/2?
2. Which fraction is less: 1/2 or 1/8?
3. Which fraction is greater: 1/8 or 1/4?
4. How many fourths are equal to 1/2?
5. How many eighths are equal to 3/4?
6. How many eighths equal one whole?
7. Draw a rectangle on your paper. Divide it into six equal parts. Color 4/6 of it using a crayon of your choosing.
8. Which is fraction is greater: 1/6 or 1/4?

10. When students are finished, take up their papers for assessment purposes.

Assessments

1. Mastery and non mastery will be based on getting 7 out of 8 answers to the questions correct.

Extensions

Unifix cubes could be used for making and comparing equivalent fractions.Using fractions during cooking activities lends itself well. Students could compare fractions using <, >, and = signs.
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