Virginia SOL 3.NS.3.e
The Standard
Compare a fraction, less than or equal to one, to the benchmarks of 0, 1 2 , and 1 using area/region models, length models, and without models.
Virginia Standards of Learning for Mathematics · The student will use mathematical reasoning and justification to represent and compare fractions (proper and improper) and mixed numbers with denominators of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, and 10), including those in context.
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students locate fractions between 0 and 1 and decide whether each is less than, equal to, or greater than 0, 1/2, and 1. They support comparisons with shaded shapes, fraction strips, or number lines, then explain them using numerator and denominator relationships.
What Mastery Looks Like
- Students correctly use <, =, and > to compare fractions with denominators of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, or 10. They show comparisons with a shaded shape or number line and explain them without a model. For 3/8 < 1/2, they explain that 4/8 equals 1/2.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may think 1/8 is greater than 1/6 because 8 is greater than 6. They may call 3/5 less than 1/2 because 3 is less than 5. Unequal pieces in drawings can also lead them to count shaded parts without checking that all parts are equal.
How to Assess It
- Exit ticket: Compare 3/8 with 0, 1/2, and 1 using <, =, or >. Draw a number line, then explain the 1/2 comparison without using the drawing.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give pairs fraction strips for 1/3, 3/6, 5/8, and 9/10; students place each beside 0, 1/2, and 1 cards.
Ask: Is 3/5 less than or greater than 1/2? Students write a claim and justify it without drawing.
Play Benchmark Sort with fraction cards and five labels: 0, between 0 and 1/2, 1/2, between 1/2 and 1, and 1.
Use fuel gauge readings of 1/4, 3/5, and 8/10 tank; students decide which are below, at, or above half full.
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Printable 3.NS.3.e Worksheet
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Related Standards
- 2.NS.3.f
Compare unit fractions for halves, fourths, eighths, thirds, and sixths using words (greater than, less than or equal to) and symbols (>, <, =), with region/are...
- 3.NS.3.g
Compare two fractions (proper or improper) and/or mixed numbers with like denominators of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, and 10 (e.g., 3 6 < 4 6 ) using words (greater than,...
- 3.NS.3.f
Compare two fractions (proper or improper) and/or mixed numbers with like numerators of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, and 10 (e.g., 2 3 > 2 8 ) using words (greater than, l...
- 4.NS.3.c
Use benchmarks (e.g., 0, 1 2 , or 1) to compare and order no more than four fractions (proper or improper), and/or mixed numbers, with like and unlike denominat...
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