Math lesson plan · 4th grade (Year 5 in England) · 45 minutes
Mixed numbers and improper fractions on a number line
Fractions
CCSS 4.NF.B.3CCSS 3.NF.A.2England: Y5 Fractions
Objective and success criteria
Students will: Mixed numbers and improper fractions on a number line.
- I can answer questions on today's skill on my own, without help.
- I can explain each step and say why it works.
- I can check my answer and spot a mistake.
Before and after
Needs first: Mixed numbers and improper fractions; Fractions on a number line
Leads to: the next skill in this area.
Materials: Fraction strips or a fraction wall, Paper strips to fold, Number lines, Mini whiteboards and pens, Printed student sheet (below).
Warm-up · 5 min
- Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Mixed numbers and improper fractions; Fractions on a number line). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
- Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
- Write 5 6/8 as an improper fraction. → 46/8 (5 6/8)Prompt: How many pieces of size 1/8 are in 5 wholes?
- Write 13/3 as a mixed number. (4 1/3 / 1 4/3 / 3 1/3 / 4 2/3) → 4 1/3Prompt: How many whole groups of 3 fit into 13?
- Write 4 1/3 as an improper fraction. → 13/3 (4 1/3)Prompt: How many pieces of size 1/3 are in 4 wholes?
Hook · 5 min
- Cut a pizza or a strip of paper unevenly and ask whether the pieces are really halves or quarters.
- Share the objective: Mixed numbers and improper fractions on a number line. Read the success criteria together.
I do: model it · 10 min
- Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
- Example: 1 2/8 lies between which two whole numbers? Give the smaller one.
- Step 1: 1 < 1 2/8 < 2
- Step 2: 1
- Answer: 1
- Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.
We do: guided practice · 10 min
- Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
- Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
- 2 2/4 lies between which two whole numbers? Give the smaller one. → 2Prompt: The whole-number part tells you where to start.
- 2 4/8 lies between which two whole numbers? Give the smaller one. → 2Prompt: The whole-number part tells you where to start.
You do: independent practice · 10 min
- Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
- Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.
The 8 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.
Exit ticket · 5 min
- Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
- 3 2/3 lies between which two whole numbers? Give the smaller one. → 3Prompt: The whole-number part tells you where to start.
- 1 3/4 lies between which two whole numbers? Give the smaller one. → 1Prompt: The whole-number part tells you where to start.
Watch out for
- Thinking a bigger denominator means a bigger fraction (1/8 > 1/4).
- Adding the denominators when adding fractions (1/2 + 1/3 = 2/5).
Support and stretch
Support
- Review first: Mixed numbers and improper fractions.
- Use concrete materials: fraction strips or a fraction wall.
- Give the first step of each question, or a partly worked example to finish.
- Pair with a confident partner for the guided practice.
Stretch
- Explain a common mistake in writing and how to fix it.
- Write a word problem that uses today's skill, then solve a partner's.
Homework and more practice
Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/math/grade-4.
Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder