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    Math · Unit 4 · Weeks 19–24

    Fractions

    Standards

    3.NF.A.1, 3.NF.A.2, 3.NF.A.3, 3.G.A.2, 3.MD.B.4

    Unit 4 test → · Scoring guide

    The big idea

    Your child learns that a fraction is a number made of equal parts of one whole, using only halves, thirds, fourths, sixths and eighths. Fractions are built with paper strips, placed on number lines (including fractions greater than 1), matched as equivalent and compared when they share a numerator or a denominator. The unit ends by splitting shapes into equal areas and measuring to the nearest half and quarter inch for a line plot.

    Standards in plain words

    • 3.NF.A.1 Understands 1/4 as one of 4 equal parts of a whole, and 3/4 as 3 of those parts.
    • 3.NF.A.2.a Shows a unit fraction such as 1/3 on a number line by splitting the space from 0 to 1 into equal parts.
    • 3.NF.A.2.b Shows a fraction such as 3/4 on a number line by counting off that many equal parts from 0.
    • 3.NF.A.3.a Understands that two fractions are equivalent when they are the same size or sit at the same point on a number line.
    • 3.NF.A.3.b Finds simple equivalent fractions, such as 1/2 = 2/4 and 4/6 = 2/3, and explains why with a model.
    • 3.NF.A.3.c Writes whole numbers as fractions (3 = 3/1) and recognizes fractions that equal a whole number (4/4 = 1).
    • 3.NF.A.3.d Compares two fractions with the same numerator or the same denominator using >, = or <, explains why, and knows this works only when the wholes are the same size.
    • 3.G.A.2 Splits shapes into parts with equal area and names each part as a unit fraction of the whole.
    • 3.MD.B.4 Measures lengths to the nearest half and quarter inch and shows the data on a line plot.

    What mastery looks like

    • Explains that 3/4 means 3 parts, each 1/4 of the whole, and that the parts must be equal in size.
    • Places fractions such as 2/3 and 5/4 on a number line by counting equal spaces from 0, keeping the count going past 1.
    • Finds equivalent fractions such as 1/2 = 2/4 = 4/8 with strips or number lines, and writes 3 as 3/1.
    • Compares fractions like 3/8 and 5/8, or 1/6 and 1/4, and explains why using the size of the pieces.
    • Splits a rectangle into parts with equal area and names each part as a unit fraction.
    • Measures to the nearest half and quarter inch and puts the data on a line plot.

    Materials

    • Paper strips the same length for fraction strips
    • Paper squares, circles or paper plates
    • Scissors and crayons
    • Ruler marked in inches with halves and quarters, and a centimeter ruler
    • Measuring cups (1/4, 1/3, 1/2 and 1 cup)
    • A fraction wall made from the strips
    • Long paper strip or adding-machine tape for number lines

    Watch across the unit

    • Watch for: Thinking 1/8 is bigger than 1/4 because 8 is bigger than 4.

      Try: Lay a fourths strip and an eighths strip side by side, or pour a 1/3 cup into a 1/4 cup and watch it overflow: more pieces in the whole means smaller pieces.

    • Watch for: Counting tick marks instead of spaces on a number line, or starting the count over at 1.

      Try: Put a finger on 0 and hop along each space, saying 'one fourth, two fourths...' and keep counting past 1: 'four fourths, five fourths.'

    • Watch for: Calling parts fourths when they are not equal, or adding denominators (1/4 + 1/4 = 2/8).

      Try: Cut the parts out and stack them to check they match, and count unit fractions aloud: 'one fourth, two fourths.' The pieces stay fourths.

    Pacing

    Short week: Keep Monday's hands-on lesson with strips or number lines and the Friday check. Keep the number-line day in Week 20 and the comparing rules in Week 22, since the unit test leans on both; the quick independent practice can become a 3-question warm-up.

    Flex week: Week 23 is the flex week. Reteach number lines or comparing with folded paper, or go deeper with the fraction quilt and the measuring-cup kitchen task. End with the Weeks 19 to 22 review and a reflection.

    Go to the Unit 4 test →

    Week by week

    WeekTopicCheck
    Week 19Fractions as equal parts; unit fractionsName and write fractions with denominators 2, 3, 4, 6, 8
    Week 20Fractions on a number linePlace fractions, including fractions greater than 1
    Week 21Equivalent fractions with modelsFind equivalent fractions and whole numbers as fractions
    Week 22Comparing fractionsCompare fractions with the same numerator or denominator
    Week 23Flex week: catch up, deepen or enrichChoice practice on Weeks 19–22
    Week 24Fractions in shapes & measuring to ½ and ¼ inchUnit 4 test