Math lesson plan · 6th grade (Year 7 in England) · 45 minutes
Divide a fraction by a whole number
Fractions
CCSS 6.NS.A.1England: KS3 Number
Objective and success criteria
Students will: Divide a fraction by a whole number.
- 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: Find reciprocals of fractions, mixed numbers and whole numbers
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 (Find reciprocals of fractions, mixed numbers and whole numbers). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
- Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
- What is the reciprocal of 3/8? → 8/3 (2 2/3)Prompt: The reciprocal is what you multiply by to get 1.
- What is the reciprocal of 1 3/5? Give a fraction. → 5/8Prompt: First write the mixed number as an improper fraction.
- 1/10 × □ = 1. What fraction goes in the box? → 10Prompt: A number times its reciprocal is 1.
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: Divide a fraction by a whole number. 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: Work out 1/3 ÷ 4. Give a fraction in simplest form.
- Step 1: 1/3 × 1/4
- Step 2: = 1/12
- Answer: 1/12
- 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.
- Work out 3/5 ÷ 4. Give a fraction in simplest form. → 3/20Prompt: Dividing by 4 is the same as multiplying by 1/4.
- Work out 1/3 ÷ 4. Give a fraction in simplest form. → 1/12Prompt: Dividing by 4 is the same as multiplying by 1/4.
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.
- Work out 3/8 ÷ 3. Give a fraction in simplest form. → 1/8Prompt: Dividing by 3 is the same as multiplying by 1/3.
- Work out 1/2 ÷ 2. Give a fraction in simplest form. → 1/4Prompt: Dividing by 2 is the same as multiplying by 1/2.
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: Find reciprocals of fractions, mixed numbers and whole numbers.
- 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-6.
Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder