According to an article in The Wall Street Journal, placing fractions on a number line in the correct order in third grade is a more important predictor of fourth-grade math performance than calculation skills, working memory, or even the ability to pay attention. The article also states that while a student’s ability to understand fractions in fifth grade is a predictor of long-term math achievement in high school, half of eighth graders can’t put three fractions in order by size.
Using a number line is incredibly helpful as foundation for all operations with fractions, particularly when students will need to understand division of fractions. It helps students see the relationships between fractions and to understand them as numbers, not just divisions of physical objects.
Necessary Background Knowledge
To teach kids to place fractions on a number line requires two things. First, the kids need to understand what a number line really is. Here is a great resource from Math Learning Center called Learning How To Think Mathematically With the Number Line. In order for them to fully understand the number line, I teach them from the beginning of when I work with them in math that a line goes infinitely in both directions (I will add a post later on teaching this concept). Kids love the concept of infinity.
I have found that when I teach them this, I can easily teach them that when we draw a number line we are drawing only a piece of the number line and that EVERY NUMBER IN THE WORLD has a place on the line. Then we practice putting numbers using different intervals. So when they learn about fractions, the kids understand that, since they are numbers, they have a place on the line.
Secondly the kids need to really understand fractions as parts of a whole. It is really easy for teachers of upper grades to move too quickly through the concrete stage with manipulatives. Many think their kids are “getting it” and don’t need the manipulatives. However, by using fraction tiles, pattern blocks, and cuisenaire rods students will develop a deeper understanding of how fractions work and be able to apply this knowledge In this post I wrote about the research on how kids are lacking fraction knowledge and hands on strategies for teaching fractions.
Introducing Fractions On a Number Line
There are several great options for introducing fractions on a number line depending on your students’ learning styles and what manipulatives you have available.
- Here, from Marilyn Burns, is my favorite lesson I have found for introducing the concept of fractions on a number line .
- How To Develop Fraction Sense Using Number Lines from You’ve Got This Math
- Here is a great 5 minute video from ETA hand2mind about how to use fraction tower cubes and an open number line to teach fractions on a number line.
- Mr. Elementary Math uses fraction bars to build number lines.
- The Owl Teacher uses colored paper clips to introduce fractions on a number line.
- Making a pipe cleaner number line and sliding a bead along it is another way to get kinesthetic practice. Again this would be done in a small group setting. Here’s a video to demonstrate this method.
Student Practice
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