Understanding Fractions

Lesson Details

Year Group: Year 5 (Age 9-10)
Duration: 45 minutes
Class size: 30 students
UK Curriculum Links:
Aligned with the National Curriculum in England: Mathematics, Year 5 – Fractions.
Specifically:

• "Compare and order fractions whose denominators are all multiples of the same number."
• "Identify, name and write equivalent fractions of a given fraction, represented visually, including tenths and hundredths."
• "Add and subtract fractions with the same denominator, and denominators that are multiples of the same number."

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Learning Objectives

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

1. Understand and identify equivalent fractions visually and numerically.
2. Compare and order fractions effectively, developing reasoning around size and equivalence.
3. Begin adding and subtracting fractions with denominators that are multiples of the same number.

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Materials Required

• A set of fraction cards (1/2, 1/3, 1/4, 2/3, etc.) – printed and laminated for each pair of students.
• Whiteboard and markers.
• Fraction wall visuals (physical or digital).
• Colour-coded counters or cubes (30 for each group of 3 students).
• Mini whiteboards for each student.
• Pre-drawn equivalent fraction puzzles (on A4 sheets).
• A mystery "Fraction Fortune" envelope for the plenary.

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Lesson Outline

Starter Activity (5 Minutes) – Fraction Snap!

• Organise students into pairs and distribute the fraction cards.
• Students play a quick matching game called "Fraction Snap" where they identify equivalent fractions visually and shout out "Snap!" when they find matching pairs (e.g., 1/2 = 2/4 = 3/6).
• Encourage fast-paced play to energise the room while reinforcing equivalence.

Purpose: Engages students and primes them for the main activity through an interactive warm-up.

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Explicit Teaching Demonstration (10 Minutes) – The Fraction Wall

• Display the fraction wall (physical or digital) on the board. Use colours to help students visualise equivalency.
• Teacher-led explanation:
  1. Identifying Equivalent Fractions: Show pairs like 1/2 = 2/4 = 3/6 and explain how multiplying the numerator and denominator by the same number preserves equivalence.
  2. Ordering Fractions: Demonstrate how to compare fractions like 1/4 and 2/8 by converting them to the same denominator visually.
• Ask frequent "cold call" questions (e.g., "Who can tell me another fraction equivalent to 3/4?").

Key Concept: Highlight the pattern between numerators and denominators. Use relatable examples to illustrate (e.g., "If you eat 2/4 of a pizza, it’s the same as eating 1/2 of it.").

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Group Activity (15 Minutes) – Fraction Builders!

Set-Up: Students work collaboratively in groups of 3 using coloured counters or cubes.
Task:

1. Each group receives a challenge card (e.g., "Build an equivalent fraction to 3/4 with 12 as the denominator.").
2. Groups work together to arrange counters into equal parts and visually represent fractions. They then write down their equivalent fractions.
3. Rotate through 3 challenges:
   • "Construct equivalent fractions."
   • "Order these 3 fractions: 1/3, 2/6, 3/9."
   • "Add 1/4 and 3/8 (hint: find a common denominator first!)."

Enhancement Options: Provide ‘stretch’ challenges for advanced groups, such as comparing more complex fractions like 7/10 and 4/5.

Purpose: This hands-on activity reinforces conceptual understanding while fostering cooperative problem-solving.

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Independent Practice (10 Minutes) – Fraction Puzzle Sheet

• Students receive individual A4 puzzle sheets with equivalent fractions to colour-match, missing values to fill in, and fraction comparison problems to solve.
• Example tasks:
  1. Fill in the missing numerators/denominators (e.g., 2/5 = ?/15).
  2. Shade in shapes to create equivalent fractions.
  3. Place fractions like 1/4, 2/8, and 3/10 in the correct order on a number line.

Differentiation:

• Support: Provide pre-drawn visuals to show fractions already broken into parts.
• Challenge: Introduce improper fractions and mixed numbers for advanced learners.

Purpose: Consolidates understanding through individual application, embedding core skills.

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Plenary (5 Minutes) – Fraction Fortune Envelope

• Present a "Fraction Fortune" envelope with a question that summarises the day's learning:
  Question: "Amira eats 2/5 of a chocolate bar, while Thomas eats 1/3. Who ate more, and how do you know?"
• Students answer on mini whiteboards and hold them up for group discussion.
• Celebrate clear explanations and logical reasoning.

Purpose: Encourages reasoning and checks understanding before closing.

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Assessment Opportunities

• Observe participation during activities and games for signs of understanding.
• Check puzzle sheets for correct answers and effort.
• Listen to reasoning during "Fraction Fortune" responses to gauge depth of comprehension.

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Extension Activity (if time allows)

• Introduce a real-world problem: “If a cake is divided into 12 parts and you eat 5 slices, what fraction did you eat, and what’s left over?”
• Challenge students to write their answers both as fractions and mixed numbers!

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Teacher Reflection Prompt

Post-lesson, consider these questions:

1. Did students effectively work together and engage in the activities?
2. Which concepts (equivalences, ordering, adding/subtracting) were most challenging for them?
3. Were the activities paced appropriately for the class?

End of Plan