All the resources on this page come from the GADOE Framework 3rd Grade Unit 5 Overview. Reviewing this information before or during planning can help ensure your instruction is aligned with the standards and is at the depth expected.

Unit 5 Overview

In this unit, students will:

● Develop an understanding of fractions, beginning with unit fractions.

● View fractions in general as being built out of unit fractions, and they use fractions along with visual fraction models to represent parts of a whole.

● Understand that the size of a fractional part is relative to the size of the whole. For example, 1/2 of the paint in a small bucket could be less paint than 1/3 of the paint in a larger bucket, but 1/3 of a ribbon is longer than 1/5 of the same ribbon because when the ribbon is divided into 3 equal parts, the parts are longer than when the ribbon is divided into 5 equal parts. Students are able to use fractions to represent numbers equal to, less than, and greater than one.

● Solve problems that involve comparing fractions by using visual fraction models and strategies based on noticing equal numerators or denominators.

● Recognize that the numerator is the top number (term) of a fraction and that it represents the number of equal-sized parts of a set or whole; recognize that the denominator is the bottom number (term) of a fraction and that it represents the total number of equal-sized parts or the total number of objects of the set

● Explain the concept that the larger the denominator, the smaller the size of the piece

● Compare common fractions with like denominators and tell why one fraction is greater than, less than, or equal to the other

● Represent halves, thirds, fourths, sixths, and eighths using various fraction models.

STANDARDS FOR MATHEMATICAL PRACTICE (SMP)

This section provides examples of learning experiences for this unit that support the development of the proficiencies described in the Standards for Mathematical Practice. The statements provided offer a few examples of connections between the Standards for Mathematical Practice and the content Standards of this unit. The list is not exhaustive and will hopefully prompt further reflection and discussion.

Students are expected to:

1. Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them. Students make sense of problems involving fractions.

2. Reason abstractly and quantitatively. Students demonstrate abstract reasoning by connecting fraction models of shapes with the written form of fractions.

3. Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others. Students construct and critique arguments regarding fractions by creating or drawing fractional models to prove answers.

4. Model with mathematics. Students use fraction strips to find equivalent fractions.

5. Use appropriate tools strategically. Students use tiles and drawings to solve the value of a fraction of a set.

6. Attend to precision. Students use vocabulary such as numerator, denominator, and fractions with increasing precision to discuss their reasoning.

7. Look for and make use of structure. Students compare unit fraction models with various denominators to reason that as the denominator increases, the size of the unit fraction decreases.

8. Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning. Students will manipulate tiles to find the value of a fraction of a set. This will lead to the relationship between fractions and division.

***Mathematical Practices 1 and 6 should be evident in EVERY lesson***

CONTENT STANDARDS

Develop understanding of fractions as numbers

MGSE3.NF.1 Understand a fraction 1/𝑏 as the quantity formed by 1 part when a whole is partitioned into b equal parts (unit fraction); understand a fraction 𝑎/𝑏 as the quantity formed by a parts of size 1/𝑏 . For example, 3/4 means there are three 1/4 parts, so 3/4 = 1/4 + 1/4 + 1/4 .

MGSE3.NF.2 Understand a fraction as a number on the number line; represent fractions on a number line diagram.

a. Represent a fraction 1/𝑏 on a number line diagram by defining the interval from 0 to 1 as the whole and partitioning it into b equal parts. Recognize that each part has size 1/𝑏 . Recognize that a unit fraction 1/𝑏 is located 1/𝑏 whole unit from 0 on the number line.

b. Represent a non-unit fraction 𝑎/𝑏 on a number line diagram by marking off a lengths of 1/𝑏 (unit fractions) from 0. Recognize that the resulting interval has size 𝑎/𝑏 and that its endpoint locates the non-unit fraction 𝑎/𝑏 on the number line.

MGSE3.NF.3 Explain equivalence of fractions through reasoning with visual fraction models. Compare fractions by reasoning about their size.

a. Understand two fractions as equivalent (equal) if they are the same size, or the same point on a number line. b. Recognize and generate simple equivalent fractions with denominators of 2, 3, 4, 6, and 8, e.g., 1/2 = 2 =/4 , 4/6 = 2/3 . Explain why the fractions are equivalent, e.g., by using a visual fraction model.

c. Express whole numbers as fractions, and recognize fractions that are equivalent to whole numbers. Examples: Express 3 in the form 3 = 6/2 (3 wholes is equal to six halves); recognize that 3/1 = 3; locate 4/4 and 1 at the same point of a number line diagram.

d. Compare two fractions with the same numerator or the same denominator by reasoning about their size. Recognize that comparisons are valid only when the two fractions refer to the same whole. Record the results of comparisons with the symbols >, =, or <, and justify the conclusions, e.g., by using a visual fraction model.

MGSE3.MD.3 Draw a scaled picture graph and a scaled bar graph to represent a data set with several categories. Solve one- and two-step “how many more” and “how many less” problems using information presented in scaled bar graphs. For example, draw a bar graph in which each square in the bar graph might represent 5 pets.

MGSE3.MD.4 Generate measurement data by measuring lengths using rulers marked with halves and fourths of an inch. Show the data by making a line plot, where the horizontal scale is marked off in appropriate units— whole numbers, halves, or quarters.

For more detailed information about unpacking the content standards, unpacking a task, math routines and rituals, maintenance activities and more, please refer to the Grade Level Overview.

BIG IDEAS

In first grade and second grades, students discuss partitioning and equal shares. Students will have partitioned circles and rectangles into two, three, and four equal shares. This is the first time students are understanding/representing fractions through the use of a number line, and developing deep understanding of fractional parts, sizes, and relationships between fractions. This is a foundational building block of fractions, which will be extended in future grades. Students should have ample experiences using the words, halves, thirds, fourths, and quarters, and the phrases half of, third of, fourth of, and quarter of. Students should also work with the idea of the whole, which is composed of two halves, four fourths or four quarters, etc.

Example:

How can you and a friend share equally (partition) this piece of paper so that you both have the same amount of paper to paint a picture?

● Fractional parts are equal shares of a whole or a whole set.

● The more equal sized pieces that form a whole, the smaller the pieces of the whole become.

● When the numerator and denominator are the same number, the fraction equals one whole.

● When the wholes are the same size, the smaller the denominator, the larger the pieces.

● The fraction name (half, third, etc) indicates the number of equal parts in the whole.

ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS

● How are fractions used in problem-solving situations?

● How can I compare fractions?

● What are the important features of a unit fraction?

● What relationships can I discover about fractions?

CONCEPTS/SKILLS TO MAINTAIN

Third-grade students will have prior knowledge/experience related to the concepts and skills identified in this unit.

● In first grade, students are expected to partition circles and rectangles into two or four equal shares, and use the words, halves, half of, a fourth of, and quarter of.

● In second grade, students are expected to partition circles and rectangles into two, three, or four equal shares, and use the words, halves, thirds, half of, a third of, fourth of, quarter of.

● Students should also understand that decomposing into more equal shares equals smaller shares, and that equal shares of identical wholes need not have the same shape.

Fluency: Procedural fluency is defined as skill in carrying out procedures flexibly, accurately, efficiently, and appropriately. Fluent problem solving does not necessarily mean solving problems within a certain time limit, though there are reasonable limits on how long computation should take. Fluency is based on a deep understanding of quantity and number.

Deep Understanding: Teachers teach more than simply “how to get the answer” and instead support students’ ability to access concepts from a number of perspectives. Therefore, students are able to see math as more than a set of mnemonics or discrete procedures. Students demonstrate deep conceptual understanding of foundational mathematics concepts by applying them to new situations, as well as writing and speaking about their understanding.

Memorization: The rapid recall of arithmetic facts or mathematical procedures. Memorization is often confused with fluency and automaticity. Fluency implies a much richer kind of mathematical knowledge and experience.

Number Sense: Students consider the context of a problem, look at the numbers in a problem, make a decision about which strategy would be most efficient in each particular problem. Number sense is not a deep understanding of a single strategy, but rather the ability to think flexibly between a variety of strategies in context.

Fluent students:

• flexibly use a combination of deep understanding, number sense, and memorization.

• are fluent in the necessary baseline functions in mathematics so that they are able to spend their thinking and processing time unpacking problems and making meaning from them.

• are able to articulate their reasoning.

• find solutions through a number of different paths.

For more about fluency, see: http://www.youcubed.org/wpcontent/uploads/2015/03/FluencyWithoutFear-2015.pdf and: https://bhi61nm2cr3mkdgk1dtaov18-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/nctm-timedtests.pdf

STRATEGIES FOR TEACHING AND LEARNING

Students need many opportunities to discuss fractional parts using concrete models to develop familiarity and understanding of fractions. Expectations in this domain are limited to fractions with denominators 2, 3, 4, 6 and 8.

Understanding that a fraction is a quantity formed by part of a whole is essential to number sense with fractions. Fractional parts are the building blocks for all fraction concepts. Students need to relate dividing a shape into equal parts and representing this relationship on a number line, where the equal parts are between two whole numbers. Help students plot fractions on a number line, by using the meaning of the fraction. For example, to plot 4/5 on a number line, there are 5 equal parts with 4 copies of one of the 5 equal parts.

As students counted with whole numbers, they should also count with fractions. Counting equalsized parts helps students determine the number of parts it takes to make a whole and recognize fractions that are equivalent to whole numbers. Students need to know how big a particular fraction is and can easily recognize which of two fractions is larger. The fractions must refer to parts of the same whole. Benchmarks such as 1/2 and 1 are also useful in comparing fractions.

Equivalent fractions can be recognized and generated using fraction models. Students should use different models and decide when to use a particular model. Make transparencies to show how equivalent fractions measure up on the number line.

Venn diagrams are useful in helping students organize and compare fractions to determine the relative size of the fractions, such as more than 1/2, exactly 1/2 or less than 1/2. Fraction bars showing the same sized whole can also be used as models to compare fractions. Students are to write the results of the comparisons with the symbols >, =, or <, and justify the conclusions with a model.

For additional assistance with this unit, please watch the unit webinar at: https://www.georgiastandards.org/Archives/Pages/default.aspx

SELECTED TERMS AND SYMBOLS

The following terms and symbols are often misunderstood. These concepts are not an inclusive list and should not be taught in isolation. However, due to evidence of frequent difficulty and misunderstanding associated with these concepts, instructors should pay particular attention to them and how their students are able to explain and apply them. The terms below are for teacher reference only and are not to be memorized by the students. Teachers should present these concepts to students with models and real life examples. Students should understand the concepts involved and be able to recognize and/or demonstrate them with words, models, pictures, or numbers. Mathematics Glossary ● bar graph ● common fraction ● decimal fraction ● denominator ● equivalent fraction ● line plot graph ● numerator ● partition ● picture graph ● term ● unit fraction ● whole number ● set