Basketball Fractions
SCMP Summer 2008
Teacher Directions
Goal: Increase children’s understanding of fractions as division of whole
numbers by whole numbers, using a number line model.
Objectives: Develop students’ ability to:
 Compare and order positive fractions, decimals;
 Estimate the size of a fraction by comparing it to one half;
 Interpret and use ratios in the context of free throws made/free
throws taken, to show the relative sizes of quantities.
CA Standards: Grade 4 N.S. 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8; Grade 5: N.S. 2.3;
2.1. M.R. 1.1, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.6, 3.2, 3.3.
Grade 6: N.S. 1.1, 1.2,
Vocabulary: fraction, rate, benchmark fraction, greater than, less than, one half = ½, whole, equivalent,
numerator, denominator
Materials: meter sticks, recycled paper, paper bags with bottom cut out, two dice of various shapes,
number lines (1 per group, plus a large class number line), pencils, one marker per group, masking tape, 3x5
cards.
Team Activity: The goal of this activity is comparing & ordering fractions (rates) on the number line.
The students will write their fraction by comparing the number of free throw shots made to the total
number of shots taken. Each student will roll two dice to determine the number of shots they will get
(the denominator). This means that students will have unequal, “unfair” numbers of shots. Players should
record on the “Team Free Throw Record Sheet” how many shots each player will be allowed to take. Each
team member should crumple her/his recycled paper into a ball shape. No tape, clips or other additions to
the paper are allowed. This will be the player’s basketball for the game. Scores are recorded as
4 , for example, if the shooter made four of seven shots. The number of shots made and their
fractions: 7
rate should also be recorded on the “Team Free Throw Record Sheet”. When all members of the team
have shot the required number of baskets, they must locate and mark their number along the team’s 0 to
1 number line. Each member of the team must be able to explain how they know they have placed their
number correctly. Each student should write their fraction on a 3x5 card.
Class Activity: Join two teams together and have them again determine their order. Using number
sense they should be prepared to explain their reasoning to the class.
Extensions:
1. Ask the teams to determine a fraction that is between them and the next larger fraction on the
number line. For the team member with the largest fraction you can make-up a fraction that is
larger then theirs or they can find a number between their number and 1. Again they should be
prepared to explain their reasoning.
2. Ask teams to add 1 to the numerator and denominator of their rate and then reorder their new
fractions. Before they begin reordering ask them if they think they will remain in the same order
or will the order change. Again they should be prepared to explain their reasoning.
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Basketball Fractions
SCMP Summer 2008
Team Directions
 Each team member should roll the two dice to determine the number of shots
they will take, record in the table below.
 Tape the top of the basket (paper bag with bottom cut out) on the wall 6 feet up
from the floor.
 Place a piece of masking tape on the floor 6 feet from the wall. This is where
everyone will need to stand to make his or her free throw shots.
 Each team member should crumple her/his recycled paper into a ball shape. No
tape, clips or other additions to the paper are allowed. This will be their
basketball for the game.
 The person with the most shots to take goes first; the person with the fewest
shots goes last. Record the number of shots made in the table below.
 When all members of the team have shot the required number of baskets, they
should record their rates in the table below and then locate and mark their
fraction along the team’s 0 to 1 number line below.
 Each member of the team should write their fraction on a 3x5 card.
Team Free Throw Record Sheet
Name
# of Shots Taken
# of Shots Made
RATE:
Made/Taken
 Each member of the team should be prepared to explain their reasoning.
Team Number Line
0
1
Number Line For Two Team Group
0
1
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