Fraction Equivalence and Ordering

Lesson 15

Math

Unit 4

4th Grade

Lesson 15 of 15

Objective


Compare and order fractions using various strategies.

Common Core Standards


Core Standards

  • 4.NF.A — Extend understanding of fraction equivalence and ordering.

Foundational Standards

  • 3.NF.A.3

Criteria for Success


  1. Order a set of fractions using various strategies by comparing two fractions in the set at a time.
  2. Choose the strategy that would be most efficient to compare two fractions (MP.3, MP.5).
  3. Use the correct symbol (<, >, =) to record a comparison.

Tips for Teachers


This lesson is intended to address the cluster level expectations for 4.NF.A, including, “ordering…fractions with denominators 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, and 100."

Lesson Materials

  • Fraction Cards (1 per pair of students) — This material should be cut into pieces before the lesson.
Fishtank Plus

Unlock features to optimize your prep time, plan engaging lessons, and monitor student progress.

Anchor Tasks


Problem 1

Would you rather have $${{4\over9}}$$$${{2\over3}}$$$${{5\over7}}$$, or $${{3\over4}}$$ of your favorite pie? Show or explain your reasoning.

Guiding Questions

Create a free account or sign in to access the Guiding Questions for this Anchor Problem.

Problem 2

Play the following game with a partner using a set of Fraction Cards. The goal is to compare the two fractions appearing on each card, determining if they are equivalent and, if not, which is larger. The rules for the game are as follows:

  1. Deal out the cards evenly so that each player has half of the deck. Each player should place their stack face down in front of them. 
  2. Each player turns up a card at the same time.
    1. The player with the greater fraction takes both cards and puts them on the bottom of their stack of cards. Students can use any method to compare them. If they disagree, they should discuss until reaching a consensus, drawing a model if necessary. 
    2. If the fractions are equivalent, then each player deals three cards facedown and turns the fourth one face up to compare. The player with the larger second fraction takes all of the cards that have been dealt out. If the fractions are again equivalent, then another three are dealt facedown and the fourth face up to be compared. (This can continue as long as it needs to.) 
  3. The game is over when one player has all of the cards.

Guiding Questions

Create a free account or sign in to access the Guiding Questions for this Anchor Problem.

References

Illustrative Mathematics Comparing Fractions using Benchmarks Game

Comparing Fractions using Benchmarks Game, accessed on March 23, 2018, 11:22 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

  • Look at #1 & #4. How did you decide which strategy to use to compare the fractions? What were some things you looked for before deciding on a strategy?
  • How did you order the fractions in #3? How did you go about doing so? 
  • Look at #6. Do you agree with Melissa’s reasoning? How is it different from some of the strategies we’ve used in previous lessons? How is it similar?
  • Look at #7. How did you figure out what the numerators could be?

Target Task


Order the following fractions from smallest to largest:

$${{2\over3},{4\over5},{3\over7},{5\over6}}$$

Explain your reasoning.

Student Response

Create a free account or sign in to view Student Response

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

Answer Keys

Answer keys for Problem Sets and Extra Practice Problems are available with a Fishtank Plus subscription.

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.

icon/arrow/right/large copy

Lesson 14

Lesson Map

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

Topic A: Factors and Multiples

Topic B: Equivalent Fractions

Topic C: Comparing and Ordering Fractions

Request a Demo

See all of the features of Fishtank in action and begin the conversation about adoption.

Learn more about Fishtank Learning School Adoption.

Contact Information

School Information

What courses are you interested in?

ELA

Math

Are you interested in onboarding professional learning for your teachers and instructional leaders?

Yes

No

Any other information you would like to provide about your school?

Effective Instruction Made Easy

Effective Instruction Made Easy

Access rigorous, relevant, and adaptable math lesson plans for free