Fraction Strips to Number Lines: Discovering Equivalent Fractions

Shared by Stacy Bort★ Featured Teacher · rated 90+ in our quality review

4th GradeBTC Style / Thinking Classrooms60 min

Learning Objective

Students will partition fraction strips into equal parts, identify equivalent fractions using visual models, and locate and label unit and non-unit fractions on number lines.

Lesson Overview

Students progress from partitioning fraction strips into tenths and twelfths, to identifying equivalent fractions visually, to locating and labeling unit and non-unit fractions on number lines. Each task changes exactly one variable to build deep conceptual understanding.

Materials

Vertical whiteboards or large chart paper
Dry-erase markers (multiple colors if available)
Pencils and blank paper for each student
Ruler or straight edge (optional — students can use the edge of a notebook)

Scaffolded Task Progression

1Task 1

On your whiteboard, draw a long rectangle (your fraction strip). Partition it into 5 equal parts. Label each part

\frac{1}{5}

. How many parts are there in all? What fraction names the whole strip?

2Task 2

Now draw a second fraction strip the SAME length as your fifths strip. Partition this new strip into 10 equal parts. Label each part. What do you notice when you compare the two strips?

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