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      Read, write and understand fraction notation

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can read and write the fraction notation 1/2, 1/3 and 1/4 and relate this to fractions of objects, shapes and sets.

      Key learning points

      1. Fractions are written using numerals to show how many equal parts the whole has been divided into and how many we have.
      2. 1/2 The whole has been divided into 2 equal parts and 1 part has been shaded.
      3. 1/3 The whole has been divided into 3 equal parts and 1 part has been shaded.
      4. 1/4 The whole has been divided into 4 equal parts and 1 part has been shaded.

      Keywords

      • Fraction - A fraction shows us how many equal parts the whole is divided into and how many of those parts we have.

      Common misconception

      Children may write fraction notation with the numerator and denominator the wrong way round.

      Use the stem sentence shown in this lesson each time you write a fraction, and give children opportunities to explain what each numeral in the fraction represents.

      Teacher tip

      The terms numerator and denominator have not been used within this lesson as they are introduced in Key Stage Two. However, they could be taught alongside the fraction notation in this lesson if you feel it would benefit the children to introduce them.

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
      except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
      (Collection 2).

      Lesson video

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      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Match each image to the correct statement.

      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer:a,Each part is one-third
      Correct Answer:b,Each part is one-half
      Correct Answer:c,Each part is one-quarter

      Q2.
      Match the start of the sentence with the correct end.

      Correct Answer:Each part is one-third when,the whole has been divided into 3 equal parts.
      Correct Answer:Each part is one-half when,the whole has been divided into 2 equal parts.
      Correct Answer:Each part is one-quarter when,the whole has been divided into 4 equal parts.

      Q3.
      Which statement describes the image?

      An image in a quiz
      Correct answer: The whole has been divided into 3 equal parts.
      The whole has been divided into 2 equal parts.
      The whole has been divided into 6 equal parts.

      Q4.
      Which shapes have been divided into thirds?

      An image in a quiz
      a
      Correct answer: b
      Correct answer: c

      Q5.
      Which shape does not show quarters?

      An image in a quiz
      a
      b
      Correct answer: c

      Q6.
      __________of the cakes have cherries.

      An image in a quiz
      One-third
      Correct answer: One-half
      One-quarter

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Order the stem sentence to describe the fraction.

      An image in a quiz
      1 - The whole has been divided into
      2 - 2 equal parts.
      3 - Each part is one-half.

      Q2.
      This shape has been divided into equal parts. Each part is $$ \frac{1}{2} $$ Which digit shows the number of equal parts?

      An image in a quiz
      1
      Correct answer: 2

      Q3.
      Match the image to the correct fraction.

      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer:a,$$ \frac{1}{4} $$
      Correct Answer:b,$$ \frac{1}{3} $$
      Correct Answer:c,$$ \frac{1}{2} $$

      Q4.
      Match the words to the correct fraction.

      Correct Answer:$$ \frac{1}{2} $$,one-half
      Correct Answer:$$ \frac{1}{3} $$,one-third
      Correct Answer:$$ \frac{1}{4} $$,one-quarter

      Q5.
      What is the missing number in this fraction?

      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer: 4

      Q6.
      Match the part of each picture to the correct fraction.

      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer:a,$$ \frac{1}{4} $$
      Correct Answer:b,$$ \frac{1}{2} $$
      Correct Answer:c,$$ \frac{1}{3} $$

      To help you plan your 2 maths lesson on: Read, write and understand fraction notation, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...