Day 1 Teaching
Sketch a line 0 to 1 and mark it in tenths. Explain that the line is in 10 equal parts and each part is 1/10. Count in 1/10s along the line. Sketch a rectangle divided in 1/10s. Shade different numbers of 1/10s. Show 20 cubes. Divide into tenths by placing two cubes into each box of the rectangle. Continue with how to show tenths of 30 and 40.
Group Activities
-- Find fractions of multiples of 10.
-- Present mystery numbers to a partner by describing how much 1/10 of the number is.
Day 2 Teaching
Show some fraction number lines. Count in steps of 1/2. Ask where 3 ¹/2 is. Then ask children to find 1/2 of 200, so recognising that a fraction is both a number and an operator (used as a calculation to find a proportion of an amount). Show the line marked in 1/4s. Count in 1/4s. Find 2 ³/4. Ask children to find 1/4 of 24. Repeat with other lines/fractions, showing children that fractions are numbers on a line and also calculations, e.g. 1/4 of 8.
Group Activities
-- Find whole number unit fractions of a given amount.
-- Play fraction buzz by matching whole number unit fractions to given numbers.
Day 3 Teaching
Use a strip of paper with 24 evenly spaced items. Fold in half, then half again to find 1/4s; then half again to show 1/8s. Use this to find and compare 3/4 and 5/8 of 24. Which is bigger? Use bar models to show how we can find and compare 3/5 of 20 and 4/6 of 24.
Group Activities
Use the in-depth problem-solving investigation ‘Greedy Guzzler’ as today’s group activity.
Or, use these activities:
-- Play a card game to practise finding and comparing non-unit fraction amounts.
-- Play a card game to find non-unit fractions of amounts.