Exploring Fractions Today

Overview

This 45-minute lesson introduces Year 5 students to fractions using simple, concrete examples. Students will understand what fractions represent, explore halves, thirds, and quarters, and begin to read and write fractions using correct mathematical language and symbols. The lesson follows the New Zealand Curriculum Refresh, focusing on the Number Strand of the Mathematics and Statistics learning area, and incorporates key competencies of thinking and using language, symbols, and text to communicate mathematical ideas.

Curriculum Links

Mathematics and Statistics Learning Area - Number strand:

• Level 3 Number:

  • Identify, represent, and order common fractions and decimals, and explain these representations† (NZC level 3)

  • Use place value, partitioning, and proportional reasoning to apply multiplicative strategies (NZC Level 3)

  • Find simple fractions of whole numbers and quantities, using multiplication and division facts (NZC Level 3)

Key Competencies:

• Thinking: developing mathematical thinking about fractions.

• Using language, symbols, and text: reading, writing and representing fractions correctly.

Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

• Understand that a fraction represents an equal part of a whole or set.

• Identify and represent simple fractions such as halves, thirds, and quarters using objects, paper strips, and number lines.

• Read and write fractions in words and standard numerical form (e.g., one-half, 1/2).

• Compare simple fractions involving halves, thirds, and quarters by direct comparison and on a number line.

Materials Needed

• Paper strips (pre-cut or to be cut in class).

• Fraction wall charts or fraction strips.

• Whiteboard and markers.

• Printed fraction cards with fraction symbols and fraction words.

• Real-life examples: e.g., images or real fruit (apple, orange).

• Number line displayed in class, extending from 0 to 1, divided into whole, halves, thirds, and quarters.

Lesson Plan Detail

1. Introduction and Engagement (10 minutes)

• Activate prior knowledge: Begin by asking students if they have ever shared something equally, like a pizza or chocolate bar.

• Demonstrate sharing: Show a whole paper strip or simple object and fold it into two equal parts to create halves. Engage students in naming the parts ("half," "one-half") and writing the symbol 1/2.

• Explain numerator and denominator: Use a clear explanation that the denominator is the total number of equal parts and the numerator is the number of those parts considered.

• Relate to real-life contexts: Show images or real fruit cut into halves, thirds, and quarters to solidify understanding.

2. Guided Exploration (15 minutes)

• Hands-on activity:

  • Give each student paper strips and have them fold strips into 2, 3, and 4 equal parts, labelling each part with the correct fraction word and symbol.

  • Use fraction wall charts for students to place their strips alongside, comparing sizes visually.

  • Place fractions on a large classroom number line together, discussing the size of each fraction relative to 0 and 1.

• Vocabulary and Writing Practice:

  • Students practise reading fractions aloud using correct mathematical terms: numerator, denominator, half, third, quarter.

  • Write fractions as words and symbols in their workbooks.

3. Collaborative Task (10 minutes)

• Fraction Matching Game:

  • In pairs, students match fraction cards showing symbols (e.g., 1/2) with fraction word cards (e.g., one-half) and with an image or paper strip representing the fraction.

  • Encourage students to explain their matches to each other using mathematical language.

4. Independent Practice (7 minutes)

• Quick Worksheet:

  • Students complete a short worksheet with tasks to identify, colour, and write simple fractions of shapes and sets.

  • Tasks include choosing the correct fraction name for a coloured part and ordering fractions (by size) given halves, thirds, and quarters.

5. Reflection and Connecting (3 minutes)

• Discuss what fractions tell us about parts and wholes in real life.

• Recap key concepts: numerator, denominator, equal parts, common fractions.

• Ask students to share one real-world example where they might see or use fractions.

Assessment

• Observational: Monitor participation in folding, matching, and placing fractions during activities to gauge conceptual understanding.

• Worksheet: Check for correct identification, reading, and representation of simple fractions.

• Language use: Listen for correct use of fraction vocabulary during paired discussions and class sharing.

Differentiation

• Support: Provide additional help with folding and labeling for students who need it; use more concrete materials.

• Extension: Encourage advanced students to explore fractions beyond quarters (e.g., fifths) using paper strips and number lines.

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This lesson plan aligns with The New Zealand Curriculum Refresh, specifically the learning objectives for Year 5 students around fractions as part of the Number strand, supporting development in proportional reasoning and mathematical communication .