6th Grade Math Lesson

Dividing Whole Numbers by Fractions: Building from Reciprocals

Shared by A STEM Educator★ Featured Teacher · rated 90+ in our quality review

6th GradeBTC Style / Thinking ClassroomsCCSS.MATH.CONTENT.6.NS.A.150 min

Learning Objective

Students will understand what a reciprocal is and use the relationship between multiplication and division to divide whole numbers by unit and non-unit fractions.

Lesson Overview

Students first build conceptual understanding of reciprocals, then use that understanding to make sense of why dividing by a fraction is equivalent to multiplying by its reciprocal — without ever invoking Keep-Change-Flip.

Materials

Vertical whiteboards or large chart paper
Dry-erase markers (multiple colors)
Pencils and notebook paper
Random grouping tool (e.g., cards, sticks)

Scaffolded Task Progression

1Task 1

Find the reciprocal of each fraction. Then check your answer by multiplying — the product should always equal

1

.
a)

\frac{1}{2}

\frac{3}{4}

\frac{5}{6}

2Task 2

Use the number line below to answer: How many groups of

\frac{1}{2}

fit into

3

?

Draw a number line from

0

3

. Mark every

\frac{1}{2}

. Count the jumps.

Write your answer as:

3 \div \frac{1}{2} =

___

Then write the matching multiplication:

3 \times

___

=

___

[ Interactive graph / diagram, available in the full lesson ]

Unlock the full lesson

See all 7 scaffolded tasks, the full answer key, warm-up, exit slip, and a print-ready version — free to start.

Create a free account

Already have an account? Sign in

Make it your own

Like this lesson but want to tweak it?

Make an editable copy and adjust the tasks, warm-up, and answer key to fit your class — no need to start from scratch.

Generate a new lesson