Comparing Fractions

Lesson Overview

Subject: Mathematics
Year Group: Year 3
Unit: Fraction Fun Adventures (Lesson 3 of 9)
Topic: Comparing Fractions: Greater Than, Less Than, Equal To
Time: 60 minutes
Class Size: 1 student

National Curriculum Links

Mathematics: Fractions (Year 3)

• Compare and order unit fractions and fractions with the same denominator.
• Use >, <, = symbols to compare fractions.

Prior Knowledge Required

• Understanding of fractions as equal parts of a whole.
• Recognising and naming unit fractions and fractions with the same denominator.

Lesson Objectives

By the end of this lesson, the student will:
✅ Be able to compare fractions with the same denominator.
✅ Use greater than (>), less than (<), and equal to (=) symbols correctly.
✅ Represent and compare fractions using visual models and number lines.

---

Lesson Structure

1. Introduction (10 minutes) - Catch Their Curiosity!

🎭 Hook - "The Hungry Crocodile Game"

• Introduce the concept of comparing numbers using a fun story:

  "Imagine a hungry crocodile that only wants to eat the biggest piece of food. The crocodile always opens its mouth towards the larger fraction!"

• Demonstrate with two paper cut-out crocodile mouths (one facing left, one facing right).
• Show simple examples (e.g. ½ and ¾) and have the student predict which way the crocodile will open.
• Write down the correct comparison using the greater-than (>), less-than (<), or equal (=) symbols.

📋 Key Terms to Introduce:

• Greater than (>)
• Less than (<)
• Equal to (=)
• Denominator (the number at the bottom of a fraction)
• Numerator (the number at the top of a fraction)

---

2. Guided Exploration (15 minutes) – Visual Models & Number Lines

📊 Activity 1: Fraction Bar Comparisons

• Provide fraction bars (paper strips divided into equal sections).
• Ask the student to compare ½, ⅓, and ¼ using the fraction bars.
• Question: "Which fraction takes up more space? Is ½ bigger than ¼? Can you explain why?"
• Encourage verbal reasoning and justification.

📏 Activity 2: Number Line Comparisons

• Draw a number line from 0 to 1 and mark common fractions (¼, ½, ¾, 1).
• Ask the student to place fractions such as 2/4, 3/4, and 1/4 on the number line.
• Reflection:
  • "What do you notice about the order of the fractions?"
  • "When do fractions become bigger or smaller on the number line?"

---

3. Independent Practice (20 minutes) – Hands-on Fun!

🎲 Game: "Fraction Pairs – Who’s Bigger?"

• Provide fraction cards (e.g., ⅔, ¾, ⅖, ⅗, etc.).
• Shuffle and place them face down.
• The student picks two cards, compares the fractions, and places the correct >, <, or = symbol between them.
• Extra Challenge: Use fractions with different denominators (support with visual models if needed).

✏ Mini-Quiz: "Which is Greater?" (Written Practice)

1. ⅖ __ ⅘
2. 3/6 __ ½
3. ¼ __ ¾
4. ⅔ __ ⅓
5. 5/5 __ 1

---

4. Plenary (10 minutes) – Let's Reflect & Apply!

💭 Discussion Questions:

• "How can you tell which fraction is greater?"
• "How does a number line help us compare fractions?"
• "Can you make up your own fraction comparison problem for me to solve?"

🌟 Exit Challenge – "Reasoning Round"

• Give a real-world scenario (e.g., "A recipe needs ¾ cup of sugar, but you only have ½ cup. Do you have enough?").
• Encourage the student to explain their answer with reasoning rather than just giving a number.

---

Resources & Materials

✅ Fraction bars (printed or handmade paper strips)
✅ Number line printed on paper or drawn on a board
✅ Fraction comparison game cards
✅ Paper cut-out crocodile mouths (for the introduction)
✅ Whiteboard and markers or blank paper and pencil

---

Assessment & Differentiation

Assessment (How will progress be measured?)
✔ Verbal explanations during activities.
✔ Accuracy in fraction comparison game and mini-quiz.
✔ Application of learning in the exit challenge.

Differentiation (Adapting to the Student's Needs)

• Extra Support:
  • Use physical fraction manipulatives for hands-on learning.
  • Focus on unit fractions before extending to larger fractions.
• Greater Challenge:
  • Compare fractions with different denominators using equivalent fractions.
  • Introduce improper fractions and mixed numbers.

---

Teacher Reflection

✅ What worked well in the lesson?
✅ Did the student grasp key concepts easily, or did they require more support?
✅ What should be reinforced in the next lesson?

---

Next Lesson (Lesson 4/9): Equivalent Fractions – "Finding Fractions That Look Different but Are the Same!"

🚀 Well done! Now it’s time for the next fraction adventure!