Lesson 8

Equivalent Fractions on the Number Line

Lesson Purpose

The purpose of this lesson is for students to reason about and generate equivalent fractions on the number line.

Lesson Narrative

Previously, students generated equivalent fractions in any way that was intuitive to them. In this lesson, students use number lines to reason about and generate equivalent fractions. In particular, they experiment with partitioning a fractional part on the number line into smaller equal-size parts. Through repeated reasoning, students begin to notice regularity in the numerator and denominator of the equivalent fractions—namely, that the numbers are multiples of those in the original fraction. The experience of sub-partitioning number lines prepares students to formalize their observation and reason numerically about equivalent fractions in upcoming lessons. 

In this lesson, students take a closer look at the relationships between fractions with denominator 5, 10, and other multiples of 5. They begin to consider the meaning of fractions with denominator 100.

  • Engagement
  • MLR8

Activity 1: Handy Number Lines

Learning Goals

Teacher Facing

  • Reason about and generate equivalent fractions on the number line.

Student Facing

  • Let’s use number lines to reason about equivalent fractions.

Required Materials

Materials to Gather

Required Preparation

Activity 1:

  • Consider creating a human number line by placing a strip of masking tape or painter’s tape, at least 25 feet long, on the floor of the classroom or a hallway.

CCSS Standards

Building On

Addressing

Lesson Timeline

Warm-up 10 min
Activity 1 20 min
Activity 2 15 min
Lesson Synthesis 10 min
Cool-down 5 min

Teacher Reflection Questions

In past lessons and in grade 3, students partitioned unit fractions such as \(\frac{1}{2}\), \(\frac{1}{3}\), and \(\frac{1}{4}\) (on fraction strips, tape diagrams, and number lines) into smaller fractional parts such as \(\frac{1}{6}\) and \(\frac{1}{8}\). How readily did students transfer those insights to work with fractions with larger denominators on the number line? What was intuitive to them and what wasn’t?

Suggested Centers

  • Get Your Numbers in Order (1–5), Stage 4: Denominators 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, or 100 (Addressing)
  • Mystery Number (1–4), Stage 4: Fractions with Denominators 5, 8, 10, 12, 100 (Addressing)

Print Formatted Materials

Teachers with a valid work email address can click here to register or sign in for free access to Cool Down, Teacher Guide, and PowerPoint materials.

Student Task Statements pdf docx
Lesson Cover Page pdf docx
Cool Down Log In
Teacher Guide Log In
Teacher Presentation Materials pdf docx

Additional Resources

Google Slides Log In
PowerPoint Slides Log In