3rd grade · Common Core 3.NF.A.1

What Is a Fraction? Equal Parts (3rd Grade)

Count equal parts, then the shaded ones. Example: 3/4.

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What is it?

A fraction counts equal parts of one whole. The bottom number (the denominator) says how many equal parts the whole is cut into. The top number (the numerator) says how many of those parts we are counting, here the shaded ones. The lesson first cuts a bar into 4 parts that are not equal, to show that those parts are not fourths, then cuts it into 4 equal parts.

Step by step: 3/4

Start with 1 whole bar.
Cut it into 4 parts. If the parts are not the same size, they are not fourths. Fractions need equal parts.
Cut it into 4 equal parts. Each part is 1 fourth, written 1/4.
Shade 3 parts: 1, 2, 3. That is 3 fourths, written 3/4.
The top number counts the shaded parts. The bottom number counts all the equal parts.

Common mistakes

Calling unequal pieces fourths or thirds. The parts must be the same size.
Putting the shaded count on the bottom. Shaded parts go on top; all the parts go on the bottom.
Writing shaded over unshaded (3/1 for 3 of 4 shaded). The bottom counts every part, shaded or not.

Your turn

The lesson ends with a problem to try. Pause and let your child work it out before you check.

A bar is cut into 3 equal parts and 2 are shaded. What fraction is shaded?

Answer: 2/3 (two thirds). 2 parts are shaded, and there are 3 equal parts in all.

Practice at home

Fold paper strips or cut a sandwich or a tortilla into equal parts. Name each part (halves, thirds, fourths), then color or eat some and ask what fraction that is. Include one cut that is clearly not equal and ask whether those parts are fourths.

Lesson script (what the narrator says)

Let's learn fractions. A fraction counts equal parts!

Here is 1 whole bar.

We cut it into 4 parts. But these parts are not equal.

Fractions need equal parts. Now the parts are all the same size.

Each part is 1 fourth. We write it 1 over 4.

Shade 3 parts: 1, 2, 3.

That is 3 fourths. The top counts shaded parts. The bottom counts all the equal parts.

Your turn! What fraction is shaded? Pause the video and try it.

2 parts are shaded. There are 3 equal parts. That is 2 thirds. Great job!

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