Unit Fractions

Unit Fractions

What students learn

Students learn that a fraction names equal parts of one whole, and that a unit fraction is one of those equal parts. Start with Fractions: Equal Parts of One Whole to hear the whole-part idea, then move to Fractions: Numerator and Denominator Vocabulary so the words match the model.

Why it matters

This is the base of fraction sense. When students understand what one equal part means, they can make sense of Unit Fractions: One Equal Part at a Time instead of treating the fraction as just two numbers on paper.

Learn the idea

A unit fraction always has 1 as the numerator. The denominator tells how many equal parts make the whole. Fractions Song: Review the Whole and Its Parts gives one more quick review before the student practices naming 1/2, 1/3, and 1/4 from drawings or paper strips.

Try it

Draw a circle, a rectangle, and a bar. Split each shape into equal parts and label 1/2, 1/3, and 1/4. Ask the student to point to the whole, the parts, the numerator, and the denominator.

Parent guide

Say the fraction name first, then ask the child to show the equal parts with a finger or pencil. If the child points to an unequal piece, redraw the shape and fix the parts before moving on.