• lenny-learning-logoLenny Learning
  • Home
    Home
    • Lessons
    Lessons
  • Curriculum
    Curriculum
  • Surveys
    Surveys
  • Videos
    Videos
  • Support
    Support
  • Log In
lenny

Fraction Fun: Equivalents & Benchmarks

Kelise Antonio

Tier 1
For Schools

Lesson Plan

Fraction Fun: Equivalents & Benchmarks

Students will define and identify equivalent fractions using visual models and recognize common benchmark fractions (0, 1/2, 1) by relating them to real-world scenarios.

Understanding equivalent and benchmark fractions is fundamental for all future fraction operations. It helps students compare fractions, simplify them, and grasp their value, making more advanced math concepts accessible and less daunting. This lesson makes fractions intuitive and relatable.

Audience

4th Grade

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Hands-on, visual, and discussion-based learning

Materials

Whiteboard or projector, Fraction Fun Slide Deck, Equivalent & Benchmark Fractions Worksheet, Fraction Action Answer Key, and Manipulatives (optional: fraction circles or strips)

Prep

Teacher Preparation

10 minutes

  • Review the Fraction Fun Slide Deck and practice the script.
    - Print copies of the Equivalent & Benchmark Fractions Worksheet for each student.
    - Gather any optional manipulatives (fraction circles, strips).
    - Review the Fraction Action Answer Key.

Step 1

Warm-Up: What's a Fraction?

3 minutes

  • Display the first slide of the Fraction Fun Slide Deck.
    - Ask students: "What comes to mind when you hear the word 'fraction'?"
    - Briefly discuss their responses, emphasizing that fractions represent parts of a whole.

Step 2

Introduction to Equivalent Fractions

10 minutes

  • Use slides 2-5 of the Fraction Fun Slide Deck to introduce equivalent fractions.
    - Show visual examples (e.g., 1/2 and 2/4).
    - Guide students through a couple of examples on the board, demonstrating how to multiply the numerator and denominator by the same number to find an equivalent fraction.
    - Engage students with questions like: "Can anyone think of a real-life example where we might see equivalent fractions?"

Step 3

Exploring Benchmark Fractions

7 minutes

  • Transition to benchmark fractions (0, 1/2, 1) using slides 6-8 of the Fraction Fun Slide Deck.
    - Explain each benchmark with simple, relatable examples (e.g., 0/4 pizza is no pizza, 1/2 of a sandwich, 4/4 of a whole cake).
    - Ask students to provide their own examples for each benchmark fraction.
    - Facilitate a brief discussion: "Why are these fractions important to know? How do they help us understand other fractions?"

Step 4

Guided Practice: Worksheet Time!

8 minutes

  • Distribute the Equivalent & Benchmark Fractions Worksheet.
    - Have students complete the worksheet individually or in pairs.
    - Circulate the room, offering support and clarifying any misconceptions.
    - Encourage students to use visual models if they get stuck.

Step 5

Wrap-Up & Share

2 minutes

  • Briefly review a couple of questions from the Equivalent & Benchmark Fractions Worksheet using the Fraction Action Answer Key as a guide.
    - Ask students for one new thing they learned or one fraction concept that still confuses them.
    - Conclude by reiterating the importance of understanding fractions in everyday life.
lenny

Slide Deck

Fraction Fun: Equivalents & Benchmarks

Let's explore the world of fractions!

Welcome students and introduce the topic. Ask them to think about what a fraction is.

What are Equivalent Fractions?

Fractions that look different but have the same value.

Example: 1/2 of a pizza is the same amount as...

Introduce the concept of equivalent fractions using a visual. Explain that equivalent means equal.

Seeing Equivalents: 1/2 and 2/4

Here, we see that 2/4 covers the same amount as 1/2.

They are equivalent!

Show how 2/4 is equivalent to 1/2 using a visual model.

Another Equivalent: 3/6

What about 3/6? Is it also the same amount as 1/2?

Show another example with 3/6. Emphasize the idea of dividing the whole into more parts but keeping the same portion.

How Do We Find Them?

To find an equivalent fraction, multiply the numerator (top number) AND the denominator (bottom number) by the same number!

Explain the rule for finding equivalent fractions: multiply the numerator and denominator by the same non-zero number.

Benchmark Fractions: Our Guides!

Benchmark fractions are like landmarks that help us understand the size of other fractions.

Our first benchmark: 0 (Zero!)

Example: 0/4 of a chocolate bar means no chocolate!

Introduce benchmark fractions. Start with 0. Give a simple example.

Benchmark: 1/2 (Halfway There!)

Our next benchmark: 1/2 (One-Half)

This is exactly half of a whole.

Examples: 1/2 of an apple, 2/4 of a glass of water, 3/6 of a dozen eggs.

Move to 1/2. Provide clear examples and ask for student input.

Benchmark: 1 (The Whole Thing!)

Our final benchmark: 1 (One Whole)

This means you have the entire thing!

Examples: 2/2 of a sandwich, 4/4 of a pizza, 8/8 of a pie.

Conclude with 1 (whole). Again, simple, relatable examples.

lenny

Worksheet

Equivalent & Benchmark Fractions: Practice Time!

Name: _________________________
Date: _________________________

Part 1: Find the Equivalent Fraction!

Look at each fraction. Draw a picture to show an equivalent fraction, then write the equivalent fraction.

  1. 1/2










    Equivalent Fraction: _________

  2. 2/3










    Equivalent Fraction: _________

  3. 1/4










    Equivalent Fraction: _________

  4. 3/5










    Equivalent Fraction: _________

Part 2: Benchmark Bonanza!

For each fraction, circle whether it is closest to 0, 1/2, or 1 whole.

  1. 1/10
    Closest to: 0 1/2 1

  2. 3/4
    Closest to: 0 1/2 1

  3. 5/6
    Closest to: 0 1/2 1

  4. 2/12
    Closest to: 0 1/2 1

  5. 4/7
    Closest to: 0 1/2 1

  6. 7/8
    Closest to: 0 1/2 1

lenny
lenny

Answer Key

Fraction Action Answer Key

Part 1: Find the Equivalent Fraction!

(Visuals may vary, but the numerical equivalent should match.)

  1. 1/2
    Thought Process: To find an equivalent fraction, you multiply the numerator and denominator by the same number. If we multiply both by 2, we get 2/4. If we multiply both by 3, we get 3/6.
    Equivalent Fraction: 2/4 (or 3/6, 4/8, etc.)






  2. 2/3
    Thought Process: Multiply the numerator and denominator by the same number. If we multiply by 2, we get 4/6. If we multiply by 3, we get 6/9.
    Equivalent Fraction: 4/6 (or 6/9, 8/12, etc.)






  3. 1/4
    Thought Process: Multiply the numerator and denominator by the same number. If we multiply by 2, we get 2/8. If we multiply by 3, we get 3/12.
    Equivalent Fraction: 2/8 (or 3/12, 4/16, etc.)






  4. 3/5
    Thought Process: Multiply the numerator and denominator by the same number. If we multiply by 2, we get 6/10. If we multiply by 3, we get 9/15.
    Equivalent Fraction: 6/10 (or 9/15, 12/20, etc.)






Part 2: Benchmark Bonanza!

For each fraction, identify whether it is closest to 0, 1/2, or 1 whole.

  1. 1/10
    Thought Process: 1 out of 10 is a very small part of a whole. It's much closer to having nothing (0) than half or a whole.
    Closest to: 0

  2. 3/4
    Thought Process: 3/4 means 3 parts out of 4. If you have 4 parts total, half would be 2 parts (2/4). 3/4 is more than half and pretty close to all 4 parts (1 whole).
    Closest to: 1

  3. 5/6
    Thought Process: 5 out of 6 parts is almost all of the parts. It's very close to having the whole thing (1).
    Closest to: 1

  4. 2/12
    Thought Process: 2 out of 12 parts is a small fraction. Half of 12 is 6, so 6/12 would be 1/2. 2/12 is much smaller than 6/12 and much closer to 0.
    Closest to: 0

  5. 4/7
    Thought Process: Half of 7 is 3.5. So 3.5/7 would be 1/2. 4/7 is very close to 3.5/7, making it closest to 1/2.
    Closest to: 1/2

  6. 7/8
    Thought Process: 7 out of 8 parts is almost all of the parts. It's very close to having the whole thing (1).
    Closest to: 1

lenny
lenny