Fractions - Fractions on a number line - Planning

In a Year 3 mathematics lesson focusing on fractions, students are introduced to the concept of placing fractions on a number line. The lesson begins with a review of their existing knowledge of fractions, including the names and functions of numerators and denominators. Students are then encouraged to use a fraction wall to visually compare and understand different fractions, such as how two halves make up a whole. Following this, they engage in practical activities, such as using a bar model to divide a number line into quarters and fifths, and discussing how to represent these divisions as fractions.

Further activities involve students working in pairs to divide a number line into sixths and eighths, extending beyond a single whole to represent larger fractions. They are prompted to think critically about how many parts a number line is divided into and what each part signifies. The lesson also addresses common misconceptions, such as the challenge of understanding a fraction as part of a whole. The plenary includes a reflective 'Give me five' exercise where students articulate what they have learned, the skills they've used, and what they found challenging. Differentiated tasks cater to varying levels of understanding, from those working towards expected standards to those achieving greater depth, with reasoning questions related to fractions on a number line enhancing their comprehension and application of the concept.