Overview

A focussed 15-minute session designed for a small Year 8 group (7 students). The session uses differentiation strategies to target varying abilities, in line with The National Curriculum for England’s requirements for Key Stage 3 mathematics. The lesson develops students’ understanding and fluency with fractions, progressing from basic concepts to problem-solving with fractions, ensuring inclusivity for all learners.

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Curriculum Links

• Programme of Study: Mathematics, Number – Fractions (Key Stage 3)
• NC References:
  • Develop understanding of fractions, decimals and percentages (Years 7-9)
  • Use common factors to simplify fractions; use common multiples to express fractions in the same denomination (Year 8)
  • Add and subtract fractions with different denominators and mixed numbers, using the concept of equivalent fractions (Year 8)
  • Multiply simple pairs of proper fractions, writing the answer in its simplest form (Year 8)

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Learning Objectives

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

• LO1: Simplify fractions using common factors (NC Year 8 Number 1b)
• LO2: Add and subtract fractions with different denominators (NC Year 8 Number 1c)
• LO3: Multiply simple proper fractions and simplify the answer (NC Year 8 Number 1d)

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Success Criteria

• Can identify common factors to simplify fractions effectively
• Can find equivalent fractions and add/subtract fractions with unlike denominators accurately
• Can multiply fractions and simplify results confidently

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Resources

• Fraction circles and strips (physical or digital interactive)
• Mini whiteboards and pens
• Differentiated challenge cards (see below)
• Timer
• Visual fraction wall displayed on board

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Lesson Structure (15 minutes)

1. Starter (3 minutes)

Objective: Activate prior knowledge and assess baseline understanding.

• Quick oral quiz with mini whiteboards: "Simplify 6/9", "Add 1/4 + 1/2", "Multiply 2/3 × 1/4"
• Teacher notes responses for quick formative assessment to group students for differentiation.

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2. Differentiated Activity (10 minutes)

Group 1 – Emerging understanding:

• Use fraction circles to visually simplify fractions (e.g., 4/8, 6/12).
• Task: Identify the simplest form by partitioning fraction circles.
• Scaffolded worksheet with prompts on finding common factors.

Group 2 – Developing fluency:

• Add and subtract fractions with different denominators.
• Use mini whiteboards to convert fractions to a common denominator, then add/subtract.
• Challenge card example: "Add 2/3 + 1/6. Show your working."
• Peer-check answers within the group for immediate feedback.

Group 3 – Confident:

• Multiply fractions and simplify answers.
• Work on word problems requiring multiplication of fractions (e.g., "A recipe uses 2/3 of a cup of sugar. If you make half the recipe, how much sugar do you need?").
• Encourage use of formal multiplication method and simplifying the answer.

Teacher circulates, giving targeted support, probing understanding deeply and providing scaffolding or extension as needed.

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3. Plenary (2 minutes)

Objective: Reinforce key learning and self-assessment.

• Each student verbally summarises one new thing they understood about fractions today.
• Quick exit slip on a mini whiteboard: simplify 9/12 or add 1/3 + 1/6.
• Teacher notes progress and plans next steps.

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Assessment & Feedback

• Formative: Mini whiteboard answers throughout enable immediate feedback and misconceptions remediation.
• Informal observation during activities to adjust support and challenge accordingly.
• Exit slips for quick understanding checks.
• Feedback given verbally and via next lesson planning to target identified gaps.

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Differentiation Strategies

Student Ability	Approach	Resources Used	Outcome
Emerging	Visual supports; step-by-step guided tasks	Fraction circles, scaffolded worksheets	Build foundational simplifying skills
Developing	Standard tasks with peer collaboration	Mini whiteboards, challenge cards	Solidify addition/subtraction of fractions
Confident	Complex problems and contextual questions	Word problems, self-checking tasks	Extend multiplication skills and reasoning

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‘Wow’ Factor: Fraction Story Challenge (Optional Extension)

• Students craft a very short word problem or scenario involving fractions (e.g., cooking, construction) for a peer.
• Enables deeper engagement through creativity and personalised contexts, promotes metacognition.
• Supports varied learning styles and encourages maths communication skills in a real-world setting.

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Final Notes

This highly differentiated, interactive approach ensures all students access challenging mathematical concepts in fractions whilst meeting specific expectations from the National Curriculum. The use of mini whiteboards and physical/digital fraction resources promotes active participation. Time-efficient formative assessments maximise impact in the 15-minute window.