MA.3.FR.1.3

Read and write fractions, including fractions greater than one, using standard form, numeral-word form and word form.

Examples

The fraction begin mathsize 12px style 4 over 3 end style written in word form is four-thirds and in numeral-word form is 4 thirds.

Clarifications

Clarification 1: Instruction focuses on making connections to reading and writing numbers to develop the understanding that fractions are numbers and to support algebraic thinking in later grades.

Clarification 2: Denominators are limited to 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10 and 12.

General Information
Subject Area: Mathematics (B.E.S.T.)
Grade: 3
Strand: Fractions
Date Adopted or Revised: 08/20
Status: State Board Approved

Benchmark Instructional Guide

Connecting Benchmarks/Horizontal Alignment

Terms from the K-12 Glossary

Vertical Alignment

Previous Benchmarks

Next Benchmarks

Purpose and Instructional Strategies

The purpose of this benchmark is for students to describe fractions in different ways. 
  • This benchmark builds precise vocabulary for describing fractions. When students describe 43 as 4 thirds, they build understanding that the fraction represents 4 parts that are each one-third in size (MTR.2.1). 
  • It is also the expectation of this benchmark that students represent fractions greater than one as mixed numbers in word and numeral-word form (MTR.2.1). 
  • During instruction, teachers should model and expect precise vocabulary from students to describe fractions (MTR.4.1).

Common Misconceptions or Errors

  • Students can misinterpret fractions as two numbers that are being compared (e.g., reading “1 over 2” instead of one-half). The use of precise vocabulary helps them understand that a fraction is a representation of one number. 
  • Students can misinterpret that a fraction always models part of one whole. Exceptions to this misconception are fractions greater than one or fractions represented on number lines and in sets of objects.

Strategies to Support Tiered Instruction

  • Instruction includes opportunities for practice in naming fractions correctly in multiple ways. Students use a chart to correctly name fractions. To increase appropriate terminology for naming fractions, students use visual representations with the naming of the fractional parts, as well as build fractions with models as well as number lines. 

    • For example, students model or build 34 

      • Teacher asks, “How can we describe this fraction model?” while guiding students to the understanding that 34 is 3 fourths or 3 of the 14 pieces. The use of precise vocabulary helps them understand that the same number can be represented by different visual models and different verbal expressions. 
  • Instruction includes opportunities to practice naming fractions correctly in multiple ways with concrete materials and models.
    • For example, students partition a shape or paper into halves. The teacher asks “What do you notice about the pieces? What do we call each piece? How can we write what one piece of the shape is worth with a fraction?” Instruction involves the vocabulary of numerator and denominator. Students are prompted to use the language of one half and then connect that to the standard form. The use of precise vocabulary helps students understand that a fraction is a representation of one number.

Instructional Tasks

Instructional Task 1 

  • Part A. Reynaldo says that the fraction 87 is written as 8 sevenths. Jonathon says that the fraction 87 is written as 7 eighths. Who is correct?  
  • Part B. What is another way to represent 87? Draw a model or write an equation. 

Instructional Items

Instructional Item 1 

  • Select all the ways to represent 8/3
    • a. Eight thirds  
    • b. 8 thirds 
    • c. 3 eighths 
    • d. Two and two thirds
    • e. Three and two thirds
*The strategies, tasks and items included in the B1G-M are examples and should not be considered comprehensive.

Related Courses

This benchmark is part of these courses.
5012050: Grade Three Mathematics (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
7712040: Access Mathematics Grade 3 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2018, 2018 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
5012055: Grade 3 Accelerated Mathematics (Specifically in versions: 2019 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
5012015: Foundational Skills in Mathematics 3-5 (Specifically in versions: 2019 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))

Related Access Points

Alternate version of this benchmark for students with significant cognitive disabilities.
MA.3.FR.1.AP.3: Read and generate fractions, less than or equal to a whole, using standard form.

Related Resources

Vetted resources educators can use to teach the concepts and skills in this benchmark.

Lesson Plans

Parts of a Whole:

In this lesson, students will recognize a whole partitioned into equal parts and represent the unit fraction as 1/b. Students will learn to represent one equal-sized piece (numerator) of the partitioned whole (denominator) as a number in standard, numeral-word, and word form.

Type: Lesson Plan

Fraction Action!:

This lesson will help students understand that fractions are parts of a whole. The lesson introduces fractional parts using familiar manipulatives.

Type: Lesson Plan

The "Whole" Deal:

In this lesson, students will extend their understanding of unit and non-unit fractions by using different pattern blocks to represent one whole and then determining the fractional part the other pattern blocks represent.

Type: Lesson Plan

Fractions Meet Pattern Blocks:

Students will identify the fractional parts of a whole using pattern blocks. There is a focus on unit fractions.

Type: Lesson Plan

Fraction Folding - Part 2:

Students will use foldables to create and name fractions. Students will sing a song to learn the terms numerator and denominator. Students will identify how many unit fractions compose a fraction.

Type: Lesson Plan

Fraction Folding-Part 1:

In this lesson, students will build the understanding of unit fractions. They will differentiate examples and non-examples of fractional parts of squares. They will label unit fractions and describe unit fractions as those that “build” other fractions.

Type: Lesson Plan

Perspectives Video: Teaching Ideas

Using Manipulatives to Add Fractions:

Unlock an effective teaching strategy for teaching adding fractions in this Teacher Perspectives video for educators.

Type: Perspectives Video: Teaching Idea

Decomposing Fractions in Multiple Ways:

Unlock an effective teaching strategy for decomposing fractions in multiple ways in this Teacher Perspectives video for educators.

Type: Perspectives Video: Teaching Idea

Exploring Fractions with Pattern Blocks:

Unlock an effective teaching strategy for using pattern blocks to explore fraction concepts in this Teacher Perspectives video for educators.

Type: Perspectives Video: Teaching Idea

Student Resources

Vetted resources students can use to learn the concepts and skills in this benchmark.

Parent Resources

Vetted resources caregivers can use to help students learn the concepts and skills in this benchmark.