New
New
Year 3

Identify parts and wholes in different contexts

I can identify parts and wholes in different contexts.

New
New
Year 3

Identify parts and wholes in different contexts

I can identify parts and wholes in different contexts.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. The whole has been divided into __ equal parts.
  2. Each equal part is one-__ of the whole.
  3. Fractions can be represented as part of a shape or a set.

Keywords

  • Part - The whole is all of a group or number.

  • Whole - A part is a section of the whole.

  • Equal - Have the same quantity or value.

  • Unequal - Do not have the same quantity or value.

  • Set - A collection of items.

Common misconception

Children will often think that the total number within a set is always the denominator as shown in the plates and cupcakes example on the slides.

Put a set of 12 counters (or any countable objects) onto a mini-whiteboard. Children should practise dividing the set into equal groups, drawing rings around them. Repeat, 'The set has been divided into _ equal groups so the denominator is _'.


To help you plan your year 3 maths lesson on: Identify parts and wholes in different contexts, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Plenty of practical activity is useful here and will strengthen understanding. Get the children to explore these concepts using counters. Head to the playground and get them to create equal groups with themselves and then describe each part as a fraction.
Teacher tip

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

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6 Questions

Q1.
What is the name of the indicated part of the fraction?
An image in a quiz
Division bar
Correct answer: Denominator
Numerator
Q2.
What does the line in the middle of this fraction notation tell us?
An image in a quiz
Correct answer: The whole has been divided into equal parts.
The whole has been divided into unequal parts.
Q3.
Complete the sentence: The whole has been divided into 8 equal parts and 1 is shaded. This is one-
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: eighth
Q4.
Tick the correct fraction notation that shows one-quarter.
$$ \frac{1}{3} $$
Correct answer: $$ \frac{1}{4} $$
$$ \frac{4}{4} $$
$$ \frac{1}{5} $$
Q5.
Tick the correct fraction notation that shows one-eighth
Correct answer: $$ \frac{1}{8} $$
$$ \frac{1}{7} $$
$$ \frac{8}{8} $$
$$ \frac{8}{1} $$
Q6.
Match the fraction name to the fraction notation.
Correct Answer:$$ \frac{1}{4} $$,one-quarter

one-quarter

Correct Answer:$$ \frac{1}{6} $$,one-sixth

one-sixth

Correct Answer:$$ \frac{1}{7} $$,one-seventh

one-seventh

Correct Answer:$$ \frac{1}{10} $$,one-tenth

one-tenth

Assessment exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What is the meaning of equals?
Makes
Correct answer: Has the same amount or value.
Has a different amount or value.
Q2.
Which of these sets has been separated so that each part is one-third?
An image in a quiz
Correct answer: A
B
Q3.
Look at the picture of the cupcakes on plates. What fraction of the whole is one plate of cupcakes?
An image in a quiz
Correct answer: $$ \frac{1}{4} $$ one-quarter
$$ \frac{1}{6} $$ one-third
$$ \frac{1}{7} $$ one-seventh
$$ \frac{1}{12} $$ one-twelfth
Q4.
Look at the picture of counters. They have been circled to show groups. What fraction of the whole is one group of counters?
An image in a quiz
$$ \frac{1}{4} $$ one-quarter
Correct answer: $$ \frac{1}{6} $$ one-third
$$ \frac{1}{7} $$ one-eighth
$$ \frac{1}{12} $$ one-twelfth
Q5.
What fraction of the whole is one of the groups of 3 children?
An image in a quiz
Correct answer: $$ \frac{1}{2} $$ one-half
$$ \frac{1}{6} $$ one-sixth
$$ \frac{1}{3} $$ one-third
$$ \frac{1}{12} $$ one-twelfth
Q6.
What fraction is shown by the shaded part?
An image in a quiz
$$ \frac{1}{2} $$ one-half
$$ \frac{1}{3} $$ one-third
Correct answer: $$ \frac{1}{4} $$ one-quarter
$$ \frac{1}{5} $$ one-fifth