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      Represent unit fractions in different ways

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can represent unit fractions in different ways.

      Key learning points

      1. You can represent fractions with a picture.
      2. You can represent fractions with symbols.
      3. You can represent fractions with names.

      Keywords

      • Half - A half is one equal part of a whole that has been divided into 2 equal parts.

      • Third - A third is one equal part of a whole that has been divided into 3 equal parts.

      • Quarter - A quarter is one equal part of a whole that has been divided into 4 equal parts.

      • Fifth - A fifth is one equal part of a whole that has been divided into 5 equal parts.

      Common misconception

      It is very common for children to generalise the linguistic pattern of adding the suffix of 'th' to create fraction names even though there are special cases mentioned in the slides.

      Make good use of your learning wall here and display the names prominently paired with their fractional notation. Inject some fun by making a game of it: say incorrect fraction names during your own explanations and get the children to correct you.

      Teacher tip

      Encourage the children to be ambitious with their own representations. Discussions is key here! Share good and incorrect examples and discuss them as a class reassuring children that incorrect representations are fantastic learning tools.

      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.
      How many equal parts has the whole been split into?

      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer: 4, four

      Q2.
      Complete the sentence: The whole has been divided into equal parts. 1 of the parts has been shaded.

      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer: 4, four

      Q3.
      What is the name of the indicated part of the fraction?

      An image in a quiz
      Correct answer: Division bar
      Denominator
      Numerator

      Q4.
      What is the name the digit 1 in this fraction?

      An image in a quiz
      Division bar
      Correct answer: Numerator
      Denominator

      Q5.
      What is the denominator of the fraction represented by this picture?

      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer: 8, eight

      Q6.
      Complete. The time shown on the clock is past 9

      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer: quarter, one quarter

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      What is the name of this fraction?

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

      Q2.
      Complete the sentence: The whole has been divided into 4 equal parts and 1 is shaded. This is one-

      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer: quarter

      Q3.
      Complete the denominator so that the fraction notation shows one-sixth.

      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer: 6, six

      Q4.
      Tick the correct fraction notation that shows one-fifth

      $$ \frac{2}{3} $$
      $$ \frac{5}{0} $$
      Correct answer: $$ \frac{1}{5} $$
      $$ \frac{5}{1} $$

      Q5.
      Tick the correct fraction notation that shows one-ninth.

      $$ \frac{1}{8} $$
      Correct answer: $$ \frac{1}{9} $$
      $$ \frac{0}{9} $$
      $$ \frac{9}{1} $$

      Q6.
      Match the fraction name to the fraction notation.

      Correct Answer:$$ \frac{1}{2} $$,one-half

      one-half

      Correct Answer:$$ \frac{1}{3} $$,one-third

      one-third

      Correct Answer:$$ \frac{1}{5} $$,one-fifth

      one-fifth

      Correct Answer:$$ \frac{1}{12} $$,one-twelfth

      one-twelfth


      To help you plan your 3 maths lesson on: Represent unit fractions in different ways, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...