Grade 3 Math Lesson Plan:
Mastering Proper Fractions
Topic: Understanding,
Representing, and Comparing
Proper Fractions
Grade Level: 3
Time Allotment: Five 45-minute
sessions (adaptable)
Overall Learning Objective:
Students will demonstrate a
comprehensive understanding of
proper fractions, including their
representation, comparison, and
application in simple word
problems.
Materials:
- Whiteboard or projector
- Markers or pens
- Colored construction paper
- Scissors
- Glue
- Fraction circles (physical or
digital)
- Fraction bars (physical or
digital)
- Number lines
- Worksheets (various activities
detailed below)
- Counters or other small
manipulatives
Lesson Breakdown (Five
Sessions):
Session 1: Introduction to
Fractions – Parts of a Whole (45
minutes)
- Objective: Students will define a
fraction and identify the
numerator and denominator.
- Activities:
- Begin with a real-world
example: Sharing a pizza
equally among friends. Visually
represent this with a circle
divided into slices.
- Introduce the terms "numerator"
(the number of parts we have)
and "denominator" (the total
number of equal parts). Use
visual aids to reinforce these
terms.
- Practice: Students use
construction paper to create their
own fraction models (e.g., folding
a square into halves, fourths,
etc.). They label the numerator
and denominator.
- Worksheet: Simple exercises
identifying numerators and
denominators in given fractions.
Session 2: Representing
Fractions Visually (45 minutes)
- Objective: Students will
represent proper fractions using
various visual models (circles,
rectangles, fraction bars).
- Activities:
- Review the concept of equal
parts. Discuss why equal parts
are crucial in fractions.
- Use fraction circles and fraction
bars to model different fractions
(1/2, 1/3, 2/3, 1/4, 3/4, etc.).
- Guided practice: Students use
fraction circles/bars to represent
fractions given by
the teacher.
- Independent practice: Students
draw and shade shapes (circles,
rectangles) to represent given
fractions.
- Worksheet: Matching fractions
to their visual representations.
Session 3: Comparing Fractions
with the Same Denominator (45
minutes)
- Objective: Students will
compare and order fractions with
the same denominator.
- Activities:
- Use visual models (fraction
circles, bars) to compare
fractions like 1/4 and 3/4.
Discuss how the larger
numerator indicates a larger
fraction.
- Introduce the symbols >, <, and
= for comparing fractions.
- Guided practice: Comparing
fractions with the same
denominator using visual
models and symbols.
- Independent practice:
Worksheet with exercises
comparing and ordering fractions
with the same denominator.
- Game: A simple game where
students compare fractions and
the one with the larger fraction
wins a point.
Session 4: Comparing Fractions
with Different Denominators (45
minutes)
- Objective: Students will
compare and order fractions with
different denominators.
- Activities:
- Introduce comparing fractions
with different denominators (e.g.,
1/2 and 1/4). Use visual models
to show which is larger.
- Discuss the concept that when
numerators are the same, the
fraction with the smaller
denominator is larger.
- Guided practice: Comparing
fractions with different
denominators using visual
models.
- Independent practice:
Worksheet with exercises
comparing and ordering fractions
with different denominators.
- Number line activity: Students
place fractions on a number line
to visualize their relative sizes.
Session 5: Word Problems and
Review (45 minutes)
- Objective: Students will apply
their understanding of proper
fractions to solve simple word
problems.
- Activities:
- Word problem examples: "John
ate 1/4 of a pizza, and Mary ate
2/4. Who ate more pizza?"
- Guided practice: Solving word
problems
together as a class.
- Independent practice:
Worksheet with word problems
involving proper fractions.
- Review game: A quick review
game (e.g., Bingo, Jeopardy-
style questions) to reinforce
concepts learned.
- Assessment: A short quiz to
assess student understanding of
proper fractions.
Differentiation:
- For students who need more
support: Provide one-on-one
assistance, use more
manipulatives, and break down
tasks into smaller steps. Focus
on simpler fractions initially.
- For students who are ready for
a challenge: Introduce more
complex fractions, more
challenging word problems, and
activities involving equivalent
fractions.
Assessment:
- Observe student participation in
class discussions and activities.
- Review completed worksheets
and assignments.
- Administer a short quiz at the
end of the unit.
This detailed lesson plan
provides a structured approach
to teaching proper fractions in
Grade 3. Remember to adjust
the pacing and activities based
on your students' individual
needs and progress. Make it
interactive and engaging to foster
a deeper understanding of this
important mathematical concept.
