Objective

• To use a model to see how fractions are related to a unit whole
• To use a model to compare fractional parts of a whole
• To order fractions

Audience
This activity is intended for teachers. The activity is designed to make connections between the use of manipulatives and developing a deeper understanding of fractions. Parents and students are welcomed!

• Internet connection to use the Virtual Fraction manipulative.
• Note: This activity can be done using the physical fraction strips. There are differences in the classroom activity when using the physical model compared with the virtual manipulative. To learn more about a physical set, go to Fractions! (If you leave this page, use the Back button to return to this activity!

• Part 1: Ordering Fractions with Like Denominators
• Part 2: Ordering Fractions with Unlike Denominators

• Click here to open the virtual fraction applet. The applet should open in a separate window.
• Size your windows so you can see both this page and the applet.
• To use the applet...
• Click on Add Bar and click on the rectangle to select it.
• Click on the options to break the rectangle into different pieces.
• If you are using more than one rectangle, use the slider to compare quantities.

Part 1: Ordering Fractions with Like Denominators

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Katie and Raj both have the same size submarine sandwich. Each sandwich is cut into 8 equal slices. Katie is going to eat 2 pieces of her sandwich. Raj is going to eat 4 pieces of his sandwich.
Use fractions to discuss these sandwiches! Use the Virtual Fraction Applet to represent the sandwiches.

1. Add a rectangle to represent Katie's sandwich.
2. Break this sandwich into 8 pieces.
3. Use the right and left arrows to shade the pieces that Katie will eat. Draw the picture below.
4. Write the fractional part of the sandwich that Katie will eat.   ___________
5. Next, add another rectangle to represent Raj's sandwich.
6. Break this sandwich into 8 pieces.
7. Use the right and left arrows to shade the pieces that Raj will eat. Draw the picture on the rectangle below.
8. Write the fractional part of the sandwich that Raj will eat.   ______

9. Who will eat the larger amount of their sandwich, Katie or Raj? Use the slider to to help you see which fractional part of the sandwich is bigger than the other!   _________
10. Write a sentence comparing the fraction of the sandwich that Katie will eat with the fraction of the sandwich that Raj will eat.





11. Write the math symbols that "say" the same as your sentence above.

1. Look at the "sandwiches" you made. What other observations can you make about the amount of the sandwiches Katie and Raj will eat? Use the slider to compare the fractions.




2. If Katie took 2 pieces and Raj took 4 pieces of the same sandwich, would one sandwich be enough to feed them? Explain why or why not. Use the virtual manipulative to illustrate the sandwich. Will they have any part of the sandwich left over?

Part 1 Problems

• Use the virtual manipulative to compare the following fractions. Draw the fraction strips below each problem.
• Write >, <, or = in the box.
• Write a sentence using the words greater than, less than or equal to make your comparison.

Part 2: Ordering Fractions with Unlike Denominators

Judy and Jay both have the same size submarine sandwich. Judy's sandwich is cut into 12 equal pieces. Jay's sandwich is cut into 6 equal pieces. Judy will eat 5 pieces of her sandwich for lunch. Jay will eat 4 pieces of his sandwich for lunch.
Use fractions to discuss these sandwiches! Use the Virtual Fraction Applet to represent the sandwiches.

1. Start with a clean screen. Clear your virtual fractions by clicking on the CLEAR button.
2. Add a rectangle to represent Judy's sandwich.
3. Break this sandwich into 12 pieces.
4. Use the right and left arrows to shade the pieces that Judy will eat. Draw the picture below.
5. Write the fractional part of the sandwich that Judy will eat.   ___________
6. Next, add another rectangle to represent Jay's sandwich.
7. Break this sandwich into 6 pieces.
8. Use the right and left arrows to shade the pieces that Jay will eat. Draw the picture on the rectangle below.
9. Write the fractional part of the sandwich that Jay will eat.   ______

10. Who eats more of their sandwich, Judy or Jay? Use the slider to to help you see which fractional part of the sandwich is bigger than the other!   _________
11. Write a sentence comparing the fraction of the sandwich that Judy will eat with the fraction of the sandwich that Jay will eat.





12. Write the math symbols that "say" the same as your sentence above.

1. Look at the "sandwiches" you made.
   • Which fraction is less than one half?
   • Which fraction is greater than one half?

   Add other rectangles to explore this question. Use the slider to compare the fractions. Looking at the fraction as numbers, write an explanation of why one of the fractions is less than one half and one is greater than one half.
   






2. If Judy and Jay combined their pieces of their sandwiches, would one sandwich have been enough for their lunch? Use the virtual fractions and write an explanation of your answer. Will they have any part of the sandwich left over?

Part 2 Problems

• Use the virtual fractions to compare the following fractions. Draw the rectangles below each problem.
• Write >, <, or = in the box.
• Write a sentence using the words greater than, less than or equal to make your comparison.