Fractions as Numbers
Recommended Practice: Use number lines to develop student understanding of fractions as numbers.
- Overview & Tools: Video overviews and professional development materials
- Learn What Works: Expert interviews about fractions as numbers
- See How It Works: Videos and sample materials from schools
Recognizing Fractions as Numbers
Fractions > Fractions as Numbers > Overview & Tools
Watch this multimedia overview explaining why number lines are recommended as a central representational tool to teach students about fractions and how teachers can help students understand...
Resource Type
Overview
A Teacher’s Perspective: How to Use the Practice Guide
Fractions > Fractions as Numbers > Learn What Works
Laurie Thompson served as a practitioner representative on the IES panel for teaching fractions. In this interview she describes how she first became aware of the importance of using a number line...
Resource Type
Expert Interview
Number Lines: A Key Representational Tool
Fractions > Fractions as Numbers > Learn What Works
Dr. Yukari Okamoto describes the misconceptions that students have about fractions and how to help them understand fractions’ place in the number system. She demonstrates instructional approaches...
Resource Type
Expert Interview
Multiple Interpretations of Fractions
Fractions > Fractions as Numbers > See How It Works
Professor Jonathan Brendefur describes how he helps teachers understand and teach different interpretations of fractions. He explains the importance of explicitly teaching about various...
Resource Type
School Example
Fractions on a Number Line
Fractions > Fractions as Numbers > See How It Works
A fourth-grade teacher describes students’ challenges in moving from a part-whole interpretation of fractions to seeing them as numbers. Student pairs work on locating fractions and decimal and...
Resource Type
School Example
Making and Using Fraction Strips
Fractions > Fractions as Numbers > See How It Works
Watch how a third-grade teacher introduces unit fractions through a game that involves “covering up” a unit with fractional parts. Directions for two variations of the game are included in Fraction...
Resource Type
School Example
Using a Number Line to Teach Fractions
Fractions > Fractions as Numbers > See How It Works
Elementary school teachers demonstrate the use of an open number line with two scales for adding and subtracting fractions and explain why the open number line can be a valuable tool for students...
Resource Type
School Example
Partitive and Measurement Fraction Problems
Fractions > Fractions as Numbers > See How It Works
Dr. Brendefur uses two context problems to distinguish between partitive and measurement fraction problems. These two slides illustrate the differences between the two problems and demonstrate the...
Resource Type
Sample Material
Frank's Fresh Farm Produce
Fractions > Fractions as Numbers > See How It Works
View a problem assigned to elementary school students that required the use of a double number line, and the solutions that groups of students developed. View the students working on the problem in...
Resource Type
Sample Material
Fraction Tracks Game
Fractions > Fractions as Numbers > See How It Works
Fifth graders play this game to practice working with equivalent fractions, as seen in Fraction Game on Number Lines. Included are a game board and instructions for the game, including how to...
Resource Type
Sample Material
Fraction Strip Game: Cover Up
Fractions > Fractions as Numbers > See How It Works
A third-grade teacher uses this game to help students understand unit fractions and equivalences. Students work in pairs, following instructions to play two variations of the game. Making and Using...
Resource Type
Sample Material
Learning Together About Number Lines
Fractions > Fractions as Numbers > Overview & Tools
Math coaches can present this workshop to primary- and intermediate-grade teachers to demonstrate the versatile uses of number lines in explaining fraction concepts. Related Files and...
Resource Type
Tool
