Number Line Talk, Tasks, and Practice Pages
NLT Video 3.5 B1 — Measure to Identify Equivalent Fractions
NLT Objectives
This Number Line Talk targets the following essential concepts and strategies:
Fractions are equivalent if they measure from zero to the same point on the number line.
Conceptual Overview
This Number Line Talk applies measurement strategies on number lines to identify equivalent fractions. Two equivalent numbers measure from zero to the same point on the number line. This concept was introduced in the two previous Number Line Talks. In this talk, this concept is applied to identify two or more fractions that measure to the same point and are equivalent.
On a number line, equivalent numbers are defined as numbers that measure the same distance from zero. In the example below, three 1/4-bars and six 1/8-bars measure from zero to the same point on the number line, which demonstrates that 3/4 is equivalent to 6/8.
The 1/2-bars can be used to show that there is no simple fraction with a denominator of 2 that is equivalent to 3/4 and 6/8. This is becuase one 1/2-bar measures to a point that is closer to zero than the point for 3/4 = 6/8. And, two 1/2-bars measure to a point that is further from zero than the point for 3/4 = 6/8.
This intuitive definition of equivalent fractions—fractions that measure from zero to the same point on a number line—will be a powerful tool when students learn procedures for fractions in subsequent grade levels.
The equivalent fraction strategies and concepts in this Number Line Talk can be applied to help avoid common student misconceptions. For example, ask students to explain how 6/8 is equal to 3/4 if the numerator and denominator of 6/8 are greater than the numerator and denominator of 3/4. Be sure that students understand that 1/8-bars are shorter than 1/4-bars, so six 1/8-bars are needed to measure the distance as three 1/4-bars.
Related Professional Learning Videos
Represent Fractions and Mixed Numbers Using Measurement Bars
Materials List for Number Line Talk
The following number line segments and measurement bars are used in this Number Line Talk.
These resources are available in the Grade 3 Number Line Measurement Manipulative Kit for magnetic whiteboards, which can be purchased on this website. Printable versions of the bars and fraction strips can be downloaded by clicking on the links below.
NLT Materials List: Measurement Bars and Fractions Strips
PDFs for Printable Whiteboard Manipulative Kite
Print these PDFs on white card stock. Print two copies of the fraction bars page. Then, use an accurate paper cutter to cut out the individual unit fraction bars and whole fraction strips. Finally, cut short strips of adhesive magnetic sheets and mount them on the back of each bar and strip. Use a long enough piece of adhesive magnet to firmly hold the bar in place on a whiteboard. Note that adhesive magnetic sheets can be purchased online or through an arts supply vendor.
Note: Once you have drawn a 48-inch line on a whiteboard, use one of the fraction strips to measure and draw the tick marks. This will ensure that the fraction bars and strips measure accurately on the number line.
Click on the image to download a PDF.
Note that Magnetic Manipulative Kits for number lines can be purchased from Essential Math Concepts. These kits include foam measurement bars that are easy for students to line up end-to-end to accurately measure fractions on number lines. These kits also include magnetic number line strips that allow teachers to quickly and accurately build a number line on a 48-inch whiteboard.
The printed versions of the measurement bars are more difficult to line up accurately below a number line, but the cost of the kit is negligible.
Video Overview and Instructional Notes
Click on the image to download a PDF.
The Video Overview and Instructional Notes outline the instructional highlights of this Number Line Talk and lists the essential strategies and concepts that are introduced or reviewed. In addition, video pause points with instructional notes identify important representations, strategies, and concepts and offer suggestions for leading the Challenge discussions with students.
VOIN for Number Line Talk 3.5 B1
Click on image to download PDF
Daily Number Line Tasks
The Daily Number Line Tasks can be represented on the whiteboard so students entering the classroom can review and complete the task. Then, to start class, students can share strategies to measure and label points on the number line. This brief activity allows teachers to review important concepts and strategies introduced in the Number Line Talk Video and applied on the Number Line Practice Pages.
Daily Number Line Tasks—3.5 B1
Number Line Practice Pages
The Number Line Practice Pages challenge students to apply the concepts and strategies that were introduced in the Number Line Talks and reviewed in each Daily Number Line Task.
Measurement-Bar Ruler
Students will use the rulers to complete some Number Line Practice Pages. A PDF of a set of rulers is included as the last page of the PDF for the Practice Pages. Print these rulers using the same printer/copier used to print the Practice Pages. Then, use a paper cutter to cut out and trim the rulers. This process ensures that the printed size of the rulers and Practice Pages are the same so that rulers measure accurately on the Practice Pages.
PDF of Number Line Practice Pages and Printable Rulers —NLT 3.5 B1
Click on image to download PDF
