Today is rung 4 of 8 on this topic
Fractions are numbers, not pictures
Can do: Places 1/2, 1/4, 3/4 and 2/3 on a number line and knows a fraction is one number, not two.
Why it matters
The pizza model runs out fast. Children who only ever see fractions as parts of a shape cannot handle fractions greater than one, or fractions on a ruler.
What it looks like when it's wobbly
Reads 3/4 as "three and four"; thinks 1/8 is bigger than 1/4 because eight is bigger than four.
⏱️ Two-minute check
Draw a line from 0 to 1. "Put 1/2 on it. Now 3/4. Which is bigger, 1/4 or 1/8?"
Solid looks like: Both placed roughly right, and 1/4 chosen with a reason about the size of the pieces.
The full activity for this topic · 15 minutes
Fold a Fraction Strip
- 1Fold identical strips into halves, quarters, eighths and thirds, then label every part.
- 2Line them up under each other. The comparison becomes obvious by eye.
- 3Draw a number line from 0 to 1 and mark every fraction from the strips.
- 4Ask which is bigger and let them check against the strips rather than telling them.
- 5Extend past 1 with a longer line: where does 5/4 go?
If it's too hard
Halves and quarters only, with folding.
If it's too easy
Compare fractions with different denominators, and place fractions greater than one.
Say this
"More pieces means smaller pieces. Look at the strips — which piece is actually bigger?"