MA 6.03Fraction Equivalence: Introduction
The child places smaller fraction pieces into a larger frame space to find that, for example, two fourths fill the same space as one half.
Age 5½Work 3 of 3 in Fractions
Presentation
- 1
Remove one half from the halves frame, leaving an empty half.
- 2
Ask: 'Which pieces could fill this space?' Try two fourths: they fit exactly.
- 3
Say: 'Two fourths are the same as one half.' Write 1/2 = 2/4.
- 4
The child tries other pieces in the same space: three sixths, four eighths, five tenths.
- 5
Record each: 1/2 = 3/6 = 4/8 = 5/10.
- 6
Repeat with one third: two sixths fit.
Extensions, easiest to hardest
- Find what fills one fourth (two eighths).
- Fill a whole frame with a mix of pieces and record the parts.
- Draw and label equivalent fractions.
Control of error
The pieces either fill the empty space exactly or leave a gap or overlap; an exact fit shows equivalence.
Ready to move on when the child…
- Finds at least three fractions equal to one half using the pieces
- Records equivalent fractions correctly