Curriculum  /  Math  /  3rd Grade  /  Unit 6: Fractions  /  Lesson 2

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

25-30 minutes

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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Student Response

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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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Student Response

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References

EngageNY Mathematics Grade 3 Mathematics > Module 6 > Topic A > Lesson 2 — Concept 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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Student Response

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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

15-20 minutes

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

5-10 minutes

Problem 1

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

Student Response

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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.

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

Partition a whole into equal parts using area models and tape diagrams, identifying and writing non-unit fractions in fraction notation.

Lesson 3
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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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