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

Fraction to Whole: Number Line Navigate!

Kelise Antonio

Tier 1
For Schools

Lesson Plan

Fraction to Whole: Number Line Navigate!

Students will be able to identify and represent fractions equal to whole numbers on a number line.

Understanding that fractions can represent whole numbers helps us see how different parts combine to make a whole, just like building blocks! This skill makes understanding bigger math ideas easier.

Audience

4th Grade Students

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Interactive slides, guided practice, and independent worksheet.

Materials

Whiteboard or projector, Slide Deck: Fraction to Whole on a Number Line, Warm Up: Number Line Start, Worksheet: Fraction to Whole Match-Up, Answer Key: Fraction to Whole Match-Up, and Cool Down: Fraction Exit Ticket

Prep

Teacher Preparation

15 minutes

  • Review the Slide Deck: Fraction to Whole on a Number Line and teacher notes.
    - Print copies of the Warm Up: Number Line Start (1 per student).
    - Print copies of the Worksheet: Fraction to Whole Match-Up (1 per student).
    - Print copies of the Cool Down: Fraction Exit Ticket (1 per student).
    - Have markers/pens ready for the whiteboard/projector.
    - Review the Answer Key: Fraction to Whole Match-Up.

Step 1

Introduction & Warm-Up

5 minutes

  • Greet students and distribute the Warm Up: Number Line Start.
    - Teacher Script: "Good morning, mathematicians! Today we're going to explore how fractions and whole numbers are connected on a number line. Let's start with a quick warm-up to get our brains ready."
    - Allow students 2-3 minutes to complete the warm-up.
    - Briefly review answers as a class, focusing on correctly labeling whole numbers on a number line.

Step 2

Mini-Lesson: Fraction to Whole Connection

10 minutes

  • Display Slide 1 of the Slide Deck: Fraction to Whole on a Number Line.
    - Teacher Script: "Who can remind us what a fraction is? (Allow responses). That's right, a fraction is a part of a whole. But sometimes, fractions can actually be equal to whole numbers! Today, we'll see how."
    - Guide students through Slides 2-5 using the teacher notes as a script. Emphasize visual representations on the number line and the concept that the numerator and denominator being the same means one whole (e.g., 2/2, 3/3).
    - Use interactive questions from the slides to engage students.

Step 3

Guided Practice & Activity

10 minutes

  • Display Slide 6.
    - Distribute the Worksheet: Fraction to Whole Match-Up.
    - Teacher Script: "Now it's your turn to practice! We'll work on the first couple of problems together on your worksheet, and then you'll complete the rest independently."
    - Work through the first two problems on the worksheet as a class, drawing the number lines on the board and discussing the placement of fractions and their equivalent whole numbers.
    - Circulate around the room, providing support and checking for understanding as students complete the remaining problems.

Step 4

Cool-Down & Wrap-Up

5 minutes

  • Collect the worksheets.
    - Distribute the Cool Down: Fraction Exit Ticket.
    - Teacher Script: "Great work today, everyone! To show what you've learned, please complete this quick exit ticket. It will help me see what you understood about fractions and whole numbers on a number line."
    - Collect cool-downs as students finish.
    - End the lesson with a brief recap or positive statement about their learning.
lenny

Slide Deck

Fraction to Whole: Number Line Navigate!

How can fractions be whole numbers too?

Welcome students and introduce the topic. Ask them to think about what a number line is used for.

What's a Fraction?

• A fraction represents a part of a whole.
• It has a numerator (top number) and a denominator (bottom number).
• The denominator tells us how many equal parts the whole is divided into.
• The numerator tells us how many of those parts we have.

Briefly review what a fraction is (part of a whole, numerator/denominator). Ask for examples.

Fractions Can Be Whole Numbers?!

• Yes! When the numerator is the same as the denominator, the fraction equals ONE WHOLE.
• Think of it like having all the pieces of a pizza!
• Examples: 2/2, 3/3, 4/4...

Introduce the idea that fractions can equal whole numbers. Use a simple example like 2/2. Draw a number line on the board and illustrate.

On the Number Line: Halves

• Imagine a number line from 0 to 2.
• If we divide each whole into 2 equal parts, what do we get?
• 0/2, 1/2, 2/2 (which is 1 whole!), 3/2, 4/2 (which is 2 wholes!)

Show how to represent 1 and 2 on a number line using halves. Emphasize counting the segments.

On the Number Line: Thirds

• Now, let's divide each whole into 3 equal parts.
• 0/3, 1/3, 2/3, 3/3 (which is 1 whole!), 4/3, 5/3, 6/3 (which is 2 wholes!)
• Notice the pattern: when the numerator is a multiple of the denominator, it's a whole number!

Show how to represent 1 and 2 on a number line using thirds. Reinforce the concept.

Your Turn to Navigate!

• You're going to use what you've learned to locate and identify fractions that equal whole numbers on a number line.
• Let's practice a few together on your Worksheet: Fraction to Whole Match-Up!

Set up the practice activity. Explain that students will be working on a worksheet to apply what they've learned.

lenny

Warm Up

Warm Up: Number Line Start!

Instructions: Look at the number line below. Fill in the missing whole numbers where the arrows are pointing.

<---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
   0       ?       ?       ?       4




Bonus Question: What number comes right after 4 on this number line?


lenny
lenny

Worksheet

Worksheet: Fraction to Whole Match-Up!

Instructions: For each number line, identify the fraction that represents the given whole number. Then, draw and label the fraction on the number line.

Problem 1

What fraction equals 1 whole if the number line is divided into halves?

<---|---|---|---|---|
   0   1/2   ?   3/2   2

Fraction for 1 whole: ___________



Draw and label on the number line above.

Problem 2

What fraction equals 2 wholes if the number line is divided into thirds?

<---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
   0          1          ?          3

Fraction for 2 wholes: ___________



Draw and label on the number line above.

Problem 3

Draw a number line from 0 to 2. Divide each whole into fourths. Then, circle the fraction that represents 1 whole and box the fraction that represents 2 wholes.













Problem 4

Which of these fractions is equal to a whole number? Circle all that apply.


4/4     3/5     6/2     1/3     7/7


Problem 5

Explain in your own words how you know when a fraction represents a whole number.







lenny
lenny

Answer Key

Answer Key: Fraction to Whole Match-Up!

Problem 1

What fraction equals 1 whole if the number line is divided into halves?

<---|---|---|---|---|
   0   1/2  (2/2)  3/2   2

Fraction for 1 whole: 2/2

Thought Process: The number line is divided into halves. 1 whole means we have both halves, so 2/2 is equal to 1. On the number line, 2/2 is located exactly where 1 is.

Problem 2

What fraction equals 2 wholes if the number line is divided into thirds?

<---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
   0   1/3 2/3 (3/3) 4/3 5/3 (6/3)  3

Fraction for 2 wholes: 6/3

Thought Process: The number line is divided into thirds. To get to 2 wholes, we need 3/3 for the first whole and another 3/3 for the second whole. 3 + 3 = 6, so 6/3 equals 2. On the number line, 6/3 is located exactly where 2 is.

Problem 3

Draw a number line from 0 to 2. Divide each whole into fourths. Then, circle the fraction that represents 1 whole and box the fraction that represents 2 wholes.

<---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
   0  1/4 2/4 3/4 (4/4) 5/4 6/4 7/4 [8/4]

Thought Process: To divide into fourths, each whole (from 0 to 1, and 1 to 2) should have 4 equal parts. One whole is 4/4. Two wholes would be 4/4 + 4/4 = 8/4.

Problem 4

Which of these fractions is equal to a whole number? Circle all that apply.

4/4     3/5     6/2     1/3     7/7

Thought Process: A fraction is equal to a whole number if the numerator is a multiple of the denominator (or the numerator and denominator are the same).

  • 4/4 = 1 (whole number)
  • 3/5 is not a whole number
  • 6/2 = 3 (whole number)
  • 1/3 is not a whole number
  • 7/7 = 1 (whole number)

Problem 5

Explain in your own words how you know when a fraction represents a whole number.

Sample Answer: I know a fraction represents a whole number when the top number (numerator) is the same as the bottom number (denominator), or when the top number can be divided evenly by the bottom number. This means you have enough parts to make one or more full wholes.

lenny
lenny

Cool Down

Cool Down: Fraction Exit Ticket

Instructions: Answer the following questions to show what you learned today.

  1. Draw a number line from 0 to 2. Divide each whole into halves. Then, mark and label the fraction that is equal to 1 whole.








  2. Is the fraction 9/3 equal to a whole number? Explain how you know.





  3. What is one new thing you learned about fractions and whole numbers today?





lenny
lenny