Fractions

Lesson 2

Math

Unit 6

3rd Grade

Lesson 2 of 24

Objective


Partition a whole into equal parts using tape diagrams (i.e., fraction strips), identifying and writing unit fractions in fraction notation.

Common Core Standards


Core Standards

  • 3.G.A.2 — Partition shapes into parts with equal areas. Express the area of each part as a unit fraction of the whole. For example, partition a shape into 4 parts with equal area, and describe the area of each part as 1/4 of the area of the shape.
  • 3.NF.A.1 — Understand a fraction 1/b as the quantity formed by 1 part when a whole is partitioned into b equal parts; understand a fraction a/b as the quantity formed by a parts of size 1/b.

Foundational Standards

  • 2.G.A.3

Criteria for Success


  1. Partition a length model into fractional units by creating fraction strips (MP.5).
  2. Determine whether a model represents equal sharing/fractions and explain why or why not (MP.3).
  3. Understand that a fraction is an equal share of a whole.
  4. Understand a unit fraction to be a fraction that refers to just one equal part of a whole.
  5. Write a unit fraction using unit form and fraction notation (e.g., “1 fourth” and “$$\frac{1}{4}$$", respectively).

Tips for Teachers


Lesson Materials

  • Strips of paper (6 per student, 5 for Anchor Task 2 and another for the Target Task) — These should measure about 5.5" by 1"
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Anchor Tasks


Problem 1

Subway has a giant sub. They cut it into eight pieces, as shown below.

Is this a fair share of the sub? If so, how much of the sub is each piece? If not, how would you make the share more fair?

Guiding Questions

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Problem 2

Your teacher will give you some paper strips. Each strip represents 1. Fold each strip so that the parts represent each of the following:

a.   Halves

b.   Fourths

c.   Eighths

d.   Thirds

e.   Sixths

Guiding Questions

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References

EngageNY Mathematics Grade 3 Mathematics > Module 6 > Topic A > Lesson 2Concept Development

Grade 3 Mathematics > Module 6 > Topic A > Lesson 2 of the New York State Common Core Mathematics Curriculum from EngageNY and Great Minds. © 2015 Great Minds. Licensed by EngageNY of the New York State Education Department under the CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 US license. Accessed Dec. 2, 2016, 5:15 p.m..

Modified by Fishtank Learning, Inc.

Problem 3

a.   Partition the rectangle into equal-sized parts. Shade one of the parts.

b.   Trade rectangles with a partner. If the whole rectangle is 1, what number represents the shaded part? Explain your reasoning.

Guiding Questions

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References

Illustrative Mathematics Grade 3 Unit 5 Lesson 2 Activity 2

Adapted from IM Grade 3 Unit 5 Lesson 2 Activity 2, accessed on Jan. 23, 2023, 11:02 a.m., is licensed by Illustrative Mathematics under either the CC BY 4.0 or CC BY-NC-SA 4.0. For further information, contact Illustrative Mathematics.

Modified by Fishtank Learning, Inc.

Problem Set


Answer Keys

Unlock the answer keys for this lesson's problem set and extra practice problems to save time and support student learning.

Discussion of Problem Set

  • If the size of the whole stays the same, what happens as you partition it into more and more parts?
  • What is the relationship between the number of equal parts and the name of the fraction?
  • What strategies did you use for folding different fractional parts? What is the relationship of halves to fourths? Of halves to eighths?
  • What is the relationship of thirds to sixths?
  • What is the relationship of halves, fourths, and eighths to thirds and sixths?

Target Task


Problem 1

Identify which of the following shapes is partitioned into thirds. Then explain how you know.

Problem 2

Draw, partition, and shade a rectangle to show the fraction below. 

$$\frac{1}{8}$$

Student Response

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Additional Practice


The Extra Practice Problems can be used as additional practice for homework, during an intervention block, etc. Daily Word Problems and Fluency Activities are aligned to the content of the unit but not necessarily to the lesson objective, therefore feel free to use them anytime during your school day.

Extra Practice Problems

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Word Problems and Fluency Activities

Word Problems and Fluency Activities

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Lesson 1

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Lesson 3

Lesson Map

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Topic A: Understanding Unit Fractions and Building Non-Unit Fractions

Topic B: Fractions on a Number Line

Topic C: Equivalent Fractions

Topic D: Comparing Fractions

Topic E: Line Plots

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