Mathematics
Grade 4
Order Fractions
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Dear Parent or Guardian:
Your child is currently learning to put fractions in order from least
to greatest or greatest to least. Here is your chance to help your
child practice this important skill.
In this PAL Packet you will find a short activity for you and your
child to do. Please do the activity and The Back Page this evening.
Then sign your name on The Back Page and have your child return it
tomorrow.
Remember, parents are a child’s first teacher. Thank you for your
time and energy in making learning fun and exciting for your child.
Sincerely,
_________________________
Your child's tutor
Grade 4 – Order Fractions
© 2004 Evans Newton Incorporated
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Last printed 8/30/04
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ORDERING FRACTIONS
Parent Pointer —
Putting fractions in order from least to greatest or greatest to least
is a concept that is used whenever measurement is needed. When
following a recipe, it is important to know that one-third of a cup is
less than one-half of a cup. Carpenters and contractors need to know
fraction order when working with building materials. Nurses must know
fraction order when giving the correct dosage of medicine.
Math In the Home, On the Go, and For the Fun of It —
DIRECTIONS: Read and discuss the That’s the Order! reference
sheets with your parent or guardian. After you are finished, complete
the Fraction Order Fractures Me! sheet. In problem number 1, cut out
the shapes with fractions, paste them in fraction order from least to
greatest on the bottom of the page, and write the fractions below the
shapes you pasted. Do the same in problem number 2, only this time
paste the shapes with fractions in order from greatest to least. On
the Take a Fraction Challenge sheet, match the fractions on the left
with their equivalent fractions on the right. On the lines at the
bottom of the page, put both sets of fractions in order from least to
greatest. Keep your reference That’s the Order! sheet handy to help
you put the fractions in order.
Talk About It —
After you have finished the activity, turn to The Back Page to show
what you know.
Now go have some fun with the activity! (
Grade 4 – Order Fractions
© 2004 Evans Newton Incorporated
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Last printed 8/30/04
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THAT’S THE ORDER!
Reminders to help you find fraction order:
Equivalent Fractions
3 Numerator
3 2 6
3
6
4 Denominator
×
=
so
=
4 2 8
4
8
Finding Least Common Denominator (LCD):
For
1
1
and , find a multiple that is the same for each fraction.
3
2
For
1
, find the multiples of 3: 3, 6, 9, 12.
3
For
1
, find the multiples of 2: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12.
2
6 is the least common multiple of
1
1
and .
3
2
1 1 2 2
=
=
×
3 3 2 6
1 1 3 3
=
=
×
2 2 3 6
1 1
3 2
>
because >
2 3
6 6
Grade 4 – Order Fractions
© 2004 Evans Newton Incorporated
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Last printed 8/30/04
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THAT’S THE ORDER!
(continued)
Three Possibilities:
1. Same denominators:
If the denominator is the same in all fractions, put the fractions in
order by numerator:
1 2 3
,
,
10 10 10
least to greatest
3 2 1
,
,
10 10 10
greatest to least
2. Same numerators:
In fractions that have the same numerators, the fraction with the
largest denominator is the smallest fraction:
3 3 3
, ,
10 7 5
least to greatest
3 3 3
, ,
5 7 10
greatest to least
3. Different denominators/different numerators:
If the denominators are different, find the least common
denominator for all fractions:
1 1 1
, ,
3 2 4
1
4
4
×
=
3 4 12
3 4 6
1 1 1
,
,
= , ,
12 12 12 4 3 2
least to greatest
Grade 4 – Order Fractions
1
6
6
×
=
2 6 12
1
3
3
×
=
4
3 12
6 4 3 1 1 1
,
,
= , ,
12 12 12 2 3 4
greatest to least
© 2004 Evans Newton Incorporated
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Last printed 8/30/04
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FRACTION ORDER FRACTURES ME!
1. Paste in order from least to greatest on the bottom of the page.
1
1
1
6
10
4
2. Paste in order from greatest to least on the bottom of the page.
3
10
1
10
5
10
Paste fraction shapes and write the fractions below:
1.
2.
Grade 4 – Order Fractions
© 2004 Evans Newton Incorporated
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Last printed 8/30/04
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TAKE A FRACTION CHALLENGE
Draw a line from the fraction on the left to its equivalent fraction on
the right.
3
8
20
40
2
4
28
40
7
10
15
40
Now, write each column of fractions in order from least to greatest.
1. __________
__________
__________
2. __________
__________
__________
Grade 4 – Order Fractions
© 2004 Evans Newton Incorporated
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Last printed 8/30/04
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The Back Page
Talk About It
Parent —
Ask your child the following question:
9What are two ways you can put fractions in order?
Student —
Answer the above question in a complete sentence on
the bottom of this page.
OR
Do one of the following activities (use the back side of
this page if needed):
9Show your answer to the question above in a drawing.
9Design several shapes showing different fractions on
the back of this page and have your parent or
guardian number them from the greatest to the least
fraction.
__________________________ __________________________
Student’s Name
Parent or Guardian’s Signature
Grade 4 – Order Fractions
© 2004 Evans Newton Incorporated
7
Last printed 8/30/04