In this blog post I will go over the third grade common core math standards 3.NF.2 & 3.NF.3 and provide you with activities you can use with your students. These activities also work well for students who need remediation in 4th and 5th grade.
Number & Operations – Fractions
// 3.NF.2
- I can partition a number line into halves, thirds, fourths, or sixths.
- I can represent fractions on a number line.
// 3.NF.3
- I can use models, number lines, and words to explain how fractions are equivalent.
- I can compare fractions by reasoning about their size.
- I can show whole numbers as fractions.
1. Use Fraction Bars
Students tend to understand area models well. They can take a rectangle and partition it into thirds, fourths, and so on. They can use fraction bars to compare and explain why one-half is greater than one-fourth.
So, let’s use what students are comfortable with to introduce fractions a number line.
In the above activity, students will shade a bar diagram to represent a fraction. They then use the bar diagram to help them partition the number line. Finally, they plot the fraction.
You can choose to use this printable during small groups. There are three versions of this printable, so you can easily differentiate as needed.
- The first version has the fractions listed on the page.
- The second version has a spot for students to write a fraction.
- The third version is the most challenging, because students need to partition the number line and plot the fraction.
Grab the Free Activities:
2. Use a Math Sort
Students enjoy working on math sorts. It’s always a win when you can teach a challenging topic in a fun way. This activity not only gets students cutting/pasting, but it also encourages students to explain their thinking.
- Step 1: Cut the cards
- Step 2: Find the 4 fractions
- Step 3: Find the bar model that matches the fraction
- Step 4: Find the number line model that matches the fraction & bar model
- Step 5: Explain how the three cards are related
- Step 6: Glue
3. Get Students Moving!
Organize your students into groups and have them create a large number line model. They can use chart paper, tape, string or anything else you may have in your classroom.
The purpose is to get students moving and creating! I have typed up 5 different activity pages you can use with your students. They include a recording spot, so students can record what their number line looks like.
- Group students
- Each group receives an activity page
- Students work together to draw and partition the number line
- Students plot the fractions
- Students record their number line on the paper provided
- Students present their number lines to the class
4. Cut & Paste – Mixed Numbers Practice Page
Fractions greater than one can be confusing when modeled on a number line. I follow the following steps:
- Count the equal parts until you get to the first whole (one).
- Label what fraction is equivalent to one. For example: 2/2 = 1
- Continue counting the equal parts. For example: 3/2
Now let’s write the fraction greater than one as a mixed number.
- Highlight the last whole number you pass. For example: 1
- Count how many equal parts you have to jump from the whole number to get to the fraction greater than one. For example: 1/2
- Write the mixed number: 1 1/2
The above printable is included in the free download (fill the form below). I also include a version that is perfect to use for during your guided math groups.
Grab the Free Activities:
5. Dodecahedron Project
I start by showing my students what the final project looks like. They are immediately super interested and ready to get to work. It’s always a win when you can get students excited about a difficult topic.
- Have students complete the pages with pencil first
- Check the problems
- Allow students time to color
- Cut the circles
- Staple the circles together to form a dodecahedron
Below is an example of how one teacher displayed the final projects.
6. Interactive, Digital Math Centers
Engage students with these fun, interactive math centers. There are 2 practice files per standard. You could..
- Assign via Google Classroom
- Students can complete during math centers (desktops or iPads)
- Complete whole-group using an interactive white board
A post shared by Math Tech Connections (@mathtechconnections) on Feb 4, 2018 at 6:05am PST
View the digital resources
As a new to the math curriculum teacher this year, I TOTALLY appreciate your insight as well as your clear, concise activities for students to help them really understand numbers and math!!!!!
Thank you so much 🙂 I plan to continue digging deep into each math standard for grades 3-5!
Love all these resources.
Hi! I sent for these and they are not in my email. I would love to give them a try!
Hi. I can’t seem to download the free printables of the 6 activities to practice fractions on a number line. I already subscribed and confirmed the subscription.
I just noticed where to download the printables. Sorry and thank you for the free printables.
Can you clue me in? I can’t find it. I filled out the subscription info and the site keeps sending me back to the state and school. (Even tho’ I already spent ten minutes answering questions about the school….)
Hi! This is AMAZING but I can’t seem to download it!
thank you!
These fraction resources look great..unfortunately they are not downloading. Is there another way to access them?
I would love to try these resources in my classroom but am unable to download them. I have subscribed several times. Is there another way to download them?
You will receive an email that says subscribe & download your resource. Check your spam folder. You can also email me directly and i’ll send them to you.
I tried as well and wouldn’t let me download.
Hey, the resource will be emailed to you. It may be in your spam or promotions folder.
Please could you email them to me I am struggling to download them.
Good morning. I’m unable to download.
Would love to be able to download the resources. Did anyone figure it out?
THANK YOU! I have been looking all night for a resource JUST like this to teach fractions greater than one to my third graders. These activities look fantastic and I can’t wait to try them out with my kiddos. Thank you again!
I love this and would love to download it, but I have to subscribe to get it and I already subscribe to your newsletters. How can I get these fraction resources?
Awesome resources to utilize in the classroom. So excited to try these ideas out.
I subscribed several times, but did not recieve an email. Would love to try these resources.
I successfully subscribed, but could not download anything. It said the connection timed out.
Hey, I just updated everything. Please try again.
I would like to download these materials. How do i get them?
I’ve fixed the problem. Please try again 🙂
Would love to download resource!
Please try again 🙂
Awesome resources!!
Thank you!
These sound wonderful. Is this how I get them?
I would love the free fraction resources
Thank you
Thanks.
You’re welcome!
I would love to try out your fraction activities.
I am unable to download the free resources and have not received the email with a password to access other resources.
Hey, make sure you are signing up with a personal email address (not school). Also, check your spam folder.
I have tried to subscribe multiple times and I haven’t received an email!
Never mind, I found it under the ‘promotions’ tab in gmail!
Thank you for letting me know. I’ve had other teachers with the same issue, so now I’ll point them in this direction.
Great ideas to implement with my fraction lessons./
Thank you!
These ideas are awesome! Thanks for sharing.
I love This!
Thanks for such a great resource. I had no problem downloading and plan to begin using on Monday!
Excellent! Enjoy 🙂
thankyou for the amazing resource
i would love the resource looks great
Hi! Fill our the form to grab the freebies. You’ll get an email that has button you click to download these files. Be sure to use a personal emails so it doesn’t get sent to your spam folder.
Quisiera los amterisles
How do I download these resources?
Hi! You have to fill out the form that says subscribe to the newsletter. You’ll get an email that has button you click to download these files. Be sure to use a personal emails so it doesn’t get sent to your spam folder.
Hello,
Do you give permission to share these activities out for distance learners for an entire grade level?
The free resources can be used for an entire grade level. Paid resources need the additional licenses.
I have entered my email 3 times but have not received an email. I’d love to download the numberline activity.
These are great! Thank you for posting them!
I have not been able to find the free number lines printable.
These resources look great! I tried several times to put my email in, but am not getting a confirmation. I’d really love to download these activities
I would like a copy of these awesome activities. Please send them to me to use.
Thank you,
These resources are amazing – would you be able to send me a copy of them please?
Currently teaching fractions – want to make it more fun! Love the look of these resources
Wow!
I would love these resources. They are amazing!
Love the activity. May I please have the worksheet emailed to me. Thank you in advance.
Hello, new teacher here! I am trying to subscribe and get the free resources, but nothing is working. Please help!
Thank you! This looks perfect for my 3rd grade friends.
Would love a copy of these activities please.
Great for Third grade.
Hi, I am looking your Fractions on a Number line using fraction bars. I went onto your TPT store and couldn’t find it. I would really appreciate a copy or link to where I can purchase it. 🙂
Thank you! But how do I get the “Get Up and Move” sheets?
I would love access to the Get Students Moving fractions on a number line activity. I love this idea! Could you send me a link to the differentiated activity pages you made for each group? Or could I purchase on Teachers Pay Teachers? I looked but couldn’t find them anywhere. Thank you so much!
hola, quisiera los ejercicios por favor
GRACIAS POR LOS EJERCICIOS. SON MUY CREATIVOS.
How do you find he “get up and move fractions on a number line” activity?
Loved all the resources ! 🙂
Thank you
These recourses are amazing
These resources are great. Thank you
I love activity 3 from this blog post-Get Up and Move Fractions on the numberline activity. Do you have a copy of this for purchase somewhere or a place I can sign up to receive a copy. I love this activity so much and would love to do it with my second graders. Thanks so much!
Thank you this is an excellent resource to help learning and consolidation of fractions on a number line.