Dare to Compare: Comparing Fractions

Subject: Math

Lesson Length: 30 - 40 mins

Topic: Numbers and Operations - Fractions; Comparing Fractions

Grade Level: 4

Standards / Framework:

Brief Description: In this lesson, students will work in pairs to explain how to create common denominators and compare fractions. Students will show the calculations used to create common denominators on a separate worksheet.

Know Before You Start: Students should know how to create common denominators. This lesson will focus more on comparing the fractions, once understanding of common denominators has been established.

Hook:

  • Read the sample comic as a class without solving the problem.

  • Review the steps necessary to create common denominators.

  • Independently or in pairs, have students create common denominators to compare the fractions in the comic using >, <, or =.

  • Discuss their answers as a class.

Activity:

  • Provide each student with a fraction.

  • In pairs, have students create fractions with common denominators on a given worksheet or paper.

  • Using the sample comic as a guide, have students create a comic using the two fractions they and their partners were given.

  • The five-panel comic should include:

    • A real world fraction problem like the one in the sample comic.

    • What they multiplied by to get common denominators.

    • How they fractions compare to one another using <, >, =.

Closure:

  • Students will share their comic with another partner pair to determine whether they agree with their fraction comparison.

Differentiation:

  • Allow students to use the speech-to-text feature.
  • Allow students to use the voiceover feature to read their comics aloud.
  • Provide a visual representation of the steps necessary to create common denominators.

  • Display five-panel comic expectations.

Resources:

  • Comic to print or display

  • An accompanying worksheet to show fraction equivalency calculations.

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