Fractions - Count in fractions - Planning

In the third week of Spring term, Year 3 students delve into the world of fractions, focusing on the ability to count in fractions. The National Curriculum objectives for this week include recognising and working with fractions such as 1/3, 1/4, 2/2, and 3/4, whether they relate to lengths, shapes, sets of objects, or quantities. The key vocabulary for this unit encompasses terms like 'fraction', 'count', 'sequence', 'same', 'equal to', 'half', 'quarters', and 'thirds', which are essential for understanding and communicating about fractions. Students will have access to a range of resources, including presentations, worksheets, whiteboards and pens, and folded paper, all designed to support their learning. To reinforce vocabulary, the lesson plan suggests visiting a website where vocabulary cards and definitions can be found.

The lesson begins with a starter activity where students recap on previous learning before moving on to the main activities. The first activity encourages students to observe a sequence of images and discuss the fractions represented by 'A' blocks. In the second activity, they use a fraction number line and engage in a practical task with folded paper to explore the concept of halves. The third activity involves completing a number line and discussing the similarities and differences observed. Reasoning tasks challenge students to predict the next fraction in a sequence and to understand equivalent fractions. The lesson concludes with a reflective 'Give me five' plenary, where students consider what they've learned and the skills they've used, such as counting and understanding equivalent fractions. Differentiated tasks cater to varying levels of understanding, asking students to shade in fractions on circles and identify patterns, thus reinforcing their counting in fractions skills.