A four-page Year 3 sheet on deciding whether two fractions are equivalent. Pages 1 and 2 show eight pairs of fraction bars with the fractions written above them, such as 1/2 and 2/4, 1/4 and 2/6, and 2/8 and 1/3. Pupils write yes or no for each pair. Page 3 is a pizza problem. Ella ate 2/8 of her pizza and Josh ate 1/4 of his, and pupils say who ate more and explain with a drawing. The key on page 4 gives every answer. It follows England National Curriculum fractions.
Number - fractions
“recognise and show, using diagrams, equivalent fractions with small denominators”
Questions 1 to 8 ask pupils to compare fractions using the bar diagrams. Question 9 asks them to show with their own drawing that 2/8 and 1/4 are equal.
Number - fractions
“solve problems that involve all of the above”
Question 9 puts equivalence into a pizza sharing problem.
Eight pairs of bars, each with an answer line that asks Are they equivalent? The bars are shaded to match the written fractions. Questions 1 to 6 are on page 1, and questions 7 and 8 follow on page 2.
Two pizzas of the same size. One is cut into eighths with two slices shaded, and one is cut into quarters with one slice shaded. Pupils say who ate more and draw a picture to explain.
A yes or no for each of the eight pairs. The pizza answer says that the two children ate the same amount, with a note on what the drawing should show.
Convince me
Choose a no pair, such as 1/4 and 2/6, and ask pupils to prove it using only the bars.
Spot the pattern
Once the sheet is done, ask what the yes pairs have in common. In 3/4 and 6/8, and in 4/6 and 2/3, the top and bottom change by the same amount.
Plenary
Use question 9 as a plenary. Pupils hold up their drawing and explain it to the person beside them.
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