Fractions

Lesson 19

Math

Unit 6

3rd Grade

Lesson 19 of 24

Objective


Compare and order fractions using various methods.

Common Core Standards


Core Standards

  • 3.NF.A.3 — Explain equivalence of fractions in special cases, and compare fractions by reasoning about their size.

Foundational Standards

  • 2.MD.A.2

Criteria for Success


  1. Compare fractions in all cases by reasoning about their size and/or distance from 0 on the number line (MP.2, MP.5).
  2. Order a set of fractions using various strategies by comparing two fractions in the set at a time.
  3. Record the results of comparisons with the symbols >, =, or <.
  4. Justify comparisons of fractions using an area model or number line or by reasoning about the size of the fractional pieces or the number of fractional pieces (MP.3, MP.5).

Tips for Teachers


Choose either fraction cards with pictures or fraction cards without pictures for this lesson (see Note in Anchor Task 1).

Lesson Materials

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Anchor Tasks

25-30 minutes


Problem 1

Play the following game with a partner using a set of cards (Template 1 or Template 2). The goal is to compare the two fractions appearing on each card, determining if they are equivalent and, if not, which is greater. Instructions for the activity are as follows:

  1. Go through the following steps with the fraction cards:
    1. Select a card.
    2. Individually decide whether the fractions are equal and, if not, which is greater. Then show each other your choices.
    3. If you both agree, take turns explaining your reasoning. If you disagree, discuss until you reach a consensus.
    4. Repeat 1 through 3 with a new card.
  2. After 10 rounds, record observations about what methods you used to compare the fractions.

Guiding Questions

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Student Response

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References

Illustrative Mathematics Comparing Fractions Game

Comparing Fractions Game, accessed on March 19, 2019, 11:35 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 2

a.   Place the following fractions on the number line.

$$\frac{4}{1},\ \frac{2}{4},\ \frac{1}{4},\ \frac{4}{2},\ \frac{2}{2}$$

b.   Compare each of the following pairs of fractions. Record your answer with <, >, or =.

i.  $$\frac{2}{4}$$ and $$\frac{2}{2}$$

ii.  $$\frac{4}{2}$$ and $$\frac{2}{2}$$

iii.  $$\frac{4}{1}$$ and $$4$$

iv.  $$\frac{2}{4}$$ and $$\frac{4}{2}$$

c.   Order the fractions in Part (a) from least to greatest.

Guiding Questions

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Student Response

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Problem 3

Which is closer to 1 on the number line, $$\frac{4}{5}$$ or $$\frac{5}{4}$$? Explain.

Guiding Questions

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Student Response

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References

Illustrative Mathematics Which is Closer to 1?

Which is Closer to 1?, accessed on March 19, 2019, 11:36 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.

Problem Set

15-20 minutes


Discussion of Problem Set

  • How did you compare the fractions in each part of #2?
  • Which fractions were the least and greatest in #3? How could you tell just by looking at their location on the number line?
  • You were not given the fractions that represented each point on the number line in #5. Did you need to write them to be able to determine who has the shortest time? Why or why not?
  • How did you approach #6? What fraction did you come up with?
  • What did you choose in #7, Part B? How do you know that is correct?
  • Which statement of Landon’s was incorrect? How did you correct it?

Target Task

5-10 minutes


Arrange your fractions in order from least to greatest. Explain your answer.

a.   $$\frac{3}{8},\frac{3}{3},\frac{3}{4}$$

b.   $$\frac{4}{6},\frac{2}{6},\frac{7}{6}$$

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.

Word Problems and Fluency Activities

Word Problems and Fluency Activities

Help students strengthen their application and fluency skills with daily word problem practice and content-aligned fluency activities.

Next

Understand fractions as numbers.

Lesson 20
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Lesson Map

A7CB09C2-D12F-4F55-80DB-37298FF0A765

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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