Fractions - Fractions greater than 1 - Planning

The Year 4 Spring term lesson on fractions greater than 1 is designed to enhance students' understanding of fractions that exceed a whole. The lesson utilises a variety of resources, including worksheets, presentations, and manipulatives, to support learning. Key vocabulary such as 'fraction', 'numerator', 'denominator', and 'unit fraction' are introduced, with vocabulary cards and definitions available for further clarification. The lesson begins with a review of prior knowledge, leading into activities where students explore part-whole models to identify and complete missing fractions. For example, they may be asked to find missing fractions when presented with the fraction 5/3, or use images to complete part-whole models, reinforcing the concept that fractions can be decomposed into whole numbers and additional parts.

Students engage in reasoning activities through partner discussions, tackling real-world scenarios like dividing pumpkin pies into slices and determining how many pies were consumed based on the number of slices eaten. They also learn to spot and correct mistakes in fraction statements and evaluate the accuracy of given statements about fractions. Independent work includes differentiated worksheets that cater to varying levels of understanding, from working towards the expected level to achieving greater depth. The lesson concludes with a reflective 'Give me five' activity where students consider what they have learned, the skills used, any challenges faced, and the key takeaways to remember. Common misconceptions are addressed, such as the incorrect use of part-whole models and the recognition that a fraction with the same numerator and denominator represents a whole. This comprehensive approach ensures students develop a robust understanding of fractions beyond a single whole.