Subject Areas: Mathematics/ Fractions
Grade Level: 3
Time: 60 min
Lesson Objective: Students will be able to identify fractions, the parts of a fraction, how a
fraction is formed, and how to read a fraction correctly.
Common Core State Standards: CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.3.NF.A.1:
"Understand a fraction 1/b as the quantity formed by 1 part when a whole is partitioned into b
equal parts; understand a fraction a/b as the quantity formed by a parts of size 1/b."
Overview:
Begin the lesson with an introduction to fractions. Ask students if they have ever had to share
something, such as splitting an apple in half with a friend or a family member.
Explain that today our class will learn about fractions by creating a tasty treat.
Preparation: I will need 8 dry erase boards for each group. I will need 1 dry erase marker per
student. I will need 1 package of M&Ms per student. I will need 1 paper plate per student. I will
need one die per student. I will prepare worksheets for information retention and assessment.
Lesson:
1. Arrange class into small groups.
2. Give each group a dry erase board and a dry erase marker.
3. Explain to students that a fraction is a “part of a whole." In other words, it is a part of
something bigger.
4. Show students on the interactive whiteboard, projector, or poster paper one rectangle with
seven equal parts.
5. Ask each student to get a dry erase board and marker to draw a rectangle divided
into seven equal parts. Ask students to also draw a line beside the square they drew.
6. Explain to students that the line they drew is called a vinculum, which separates the top
number from the bottom number.
7. Remind them that there are two parts to a fraction. Tell them that the numerator is the top
number, and the denominator is the bottom number.
8. Tell your students that the numerator tells how many pieces were used from the whole, while
the denominator tells how many pieces in total is in the whole.
9. Show the first example from the Color Fractions worksheet.
10. Ask your students to look at the first example. Have them color four of
their rectangles on their dry erase boards.
11. Explain to students that they just colored in part of a whole.
12. Give students in each group their packs of candy with a paper plate.
13. Ask students to open their packs over the plate.
14. Have them count each candy piece that comes in their individual packs. Instruct them to use
their total number of pieces as their denominator.
15. Direct your students to roll one dice, explaining that the number that the dice lands on is the
numerator.
16. Instruct them to move that many to the top of their plate.
17. Have them write out the fraction on the plate.
18. (Independent practice) Explain to students that they will do the same thing but with a slight
change.
19. (Independent practice) Have your students roll for the denominator in addition to the
numerator. Instruct them to write these in fraction form. Have them roll for three different
fractions.
20. Students will fill out worksheets with their fractions and turn them in.
21. Students will eat their candy.
Adaptations / Extensions:
Let students help each other on the worksheets. Come up with a tune to help students remember
where the numerator is and where the denominator is. Show the class a video on fractions. Play a
fractions game for further assessment.
Lesson adapted from https://www.education.com/lesson-plan/fractions-in-action/
