Investigating equivalent fractions with relationship rods
http://illuminations.nctm.org/LessonDetail.aspx?ID=L543
A lesson plan for grades 3–4 Mathematics
Students investigate the length model by working with relationship rods to find equivalent fractions and develop skills in reasoning and problem solving as they explain how two fractions are equivalent (the same length). Illuminations provides an activity sheet, detailed instructions, and a link to the fraction bar applet.
Students will:
- Demonstrate understanding that a fraction can be represented as part of a linear region.
- Describe part of a linear region using fractions.
- Identify fraction relationships using different “wholes” as a reference.
- Identify equivalent fractions.
- Identify the fraction in lowest terms.
NCTM Standards and Expectations:
- Develop understanding of fractions as parts of unit wholes, as parts of a collection, as locations on number lines, and as divisions of whole numbers.
- Recognize and generate equivalent forms of commonly used fractions, decimals, and percents.
North Carolina Curriculum Alignment
Mathematics (2004)
Grade 3
- Goal 1: Number and Operations - The learner will model, identify, and compute with whole numbers through 9,999.
- Objective 1.05: Use area or region models and set models of fractions to explore part-whole relationships.
- Represent fractions concretely and symbolically (halves, fourths, thirds, sixths, eighths).
- Compare and order fractions (halves, fourths, thirds, sixths, eighths) using models and benchmark numbers (zero, one-half, one); describe comparisons.
- Model and describe common equivalents, especially relationships among halves, fourths, and eighths, and thirds and sixths.
- Understand that the fractional relationships that occur between zero and one also occur between every two consecutive whole numbers.
- Understand and use mixed numbers and their equivalent fraction forms.
- Objective 1.05: Use area or region models and set models of fractions to explore part-whole relationships.
Grade 4
- Goal 1: Number and Operations - The learner will read, write, model, and compute with non-negative rational numbers.
- Objective 1.03: Solve problems using models, diagrams, and reasoning about fractions and relationships among fractions involving halves, fourths, eighths, thirds, sixths, twelfths, fifths, tenths, hundredths, and mixed numbers.
