Comparing Fractions Lesson
Focus: Students will construct, name and compare fractions.
Introduce:

Review student’s knowledge and understanding of fractions of a whole and
2
2
fractions of a set. Ask students to describe
of a whole and of a set and have
5
5
them share examples.

Ask students what it means to compare. Have students get out their fraction kits
2
3
2
3
and . If we were to compare
and what would we determine?
and find
4
6
4
6
Introduce equal and equivalent. Have students find the following fractions and
compare. (
1
2 1
4 4
1
and , and , and -choose alternative and additional fractions to
4
3 3
8 6
2
compare as well. Attached are fraction cards to use for this activity if you would prefer
those over the fraction sets. Be careful in choosing models that students are not able to
compare easily, the
2
2
and
appear close in size.) As students are comparing
10
12
fractions using the models, chart their findings.
For Example:

2
3
1
2
=
<
4
6
4
3
Ask student’s how they are determining which fraction is larger, which is smaller?
Students should be able to share that they are using the picture model to help
1
1
them compare. Ask students to explain how they know that
>
. Students
10
12
should be able to explain that twelfths are smaller parts than tenths.
Activity:

Students will play Fraction Compare with the Fraction Cards in partners.
Additional Practice
 Students will complete the Fraction Compare Activity Page and Additional Fraction
Practice Page
Discussion
 Have students share their strategies for determining if a fraction is greater, less or
equal (equivalent)
Fraction Compare
Materials:
 Fraction Cards (attached) one set for every 2 students
Activity:
 This game is similar to war or battle. Students shuffle the fraction cards and split
them into 2 equal piles. Each player will get a pile of fraction cards. Players 1 and
2 will turn the first card over together. Students’ compare the two fractions; the
student with the larger fraction wins the two cards. Continue playing until one
player has all the cards.
3rd Grade Fraction Cards
1
5
1
4
2
12
1
3
1
3rd Grade Fraction Cards
1
6
1
8
2
10
1
12
2
3rd Grade Fraction Cards
2
8
3
12
2
8
1
10
3
3rd Grade Fraction Cards
3
5
2
4
1
2
2
3
4
3rd Grade Fraction Cards
2
6
4
8
5
10
7
12
5
3rd Grade Fraction Cards
2
4
1
2
3
6
3
8
6
3rd Grade Fraction Cards
3
4
4
5
10
12
8
10
7
3rd Grade Fraction Cards
5
6
7
8
9
10
9
12
8
3rd Grade Fraction Cards
4
6
6
8
9
Name: _____________________________________ Date: ______________
Fraction Compare Activity Page
Compare the fractions below. Write the name of the fraction below each pictorial model.
Fill in the
with a <, > or =.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Look at the fraction sets below and label them, (for #3 and #4 either fraction option is
fine). Next draw a fraction set to represent the given fraction below and compare the
sets using <, > or =.
Fraction Set
Comparison sign
Fraction Set
3
7
________
5
7
________
3
6
________
4
7
1.
2.
_______
3.
________
4.
________
_______
6
10
Name: _____________________________________ Date: ______________
Additional Fraction Practice
1. Megan and Maddy each have a set of pennies, nickels and dimes. Megan has more
3
nickels than Maddy. of Maddy’s coins are nickels. Draw a picture to show what coins
7
Megan might have if she has more nickels than Maddy.
2. Mrs. Crain served a lemon cake for Jake’s birthday. The picture below shows how
much of the cake was eaten.
Write a fraction to show how much of Jake’s birthday cake was NOT eaten. _________
3. Divide and shade in each rectangle to match the fraction listed and compare the
fractions using <, > or =.
6
10
4
5
5
8
starfish. Seth’s collection had less starfish. Which set below could be Seth’s collection?
4. Abby and Seth collected shells and starfish at the beach. Abby’s collection was
A.
B.
C.