Virginia SOL 3.NS.3.g
The Standard
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, less than, equal to) and/or symbols (>, <, =), 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 compare two values with the same denominator by looking at the number of equal parts. They use words or comparison symbols and justify their answer with a region model, number line, or numerical reasoning.
What Mastery Looks Like
- Students correctly compare proper fractions, improper fractions, and mixed numbers that have the same denominator. They explain that more equal-sized parts means a greater value and use inequality symbols correctly, with or without a model.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may compare denominators instead of numerators, even when the denominators match. They may also reverse the inequality symbol or treat a mixed number as smaller than every improper fraction.
How to Assess It
- Give an exit ticket with 7/4, 5/4, and 1 3/4. Students order them least to greatest, add symbols, and draw one model to justify their order.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give pairs fraction strips labeled in fourths or eighths, then have students build, compare, and record five fraction or mixed-number pairs.
Ask students to explain in writing which is greater, 7/5 or 1 1/5, using a drawing and a comparison sentence.
Play Fraction War with cards showing like-denominator fractions and mixed numbers, with each round won by the greater value.
Compare distances on a race chart, such as 9/8 mile and 1 3/8 miles, then justify which runner traveled farther.
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Related Standards
- 4.NS.3.b
Compare and order no more than four fractions (proper or improper), and/or mixed numbers, with like numerators and unlike denominators by comparing the size of ...
- 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.d
Compare two fractions (proper or improper) and/or mixed numbers using fractions with denominators of 12 or less, using the symbols >, <, and = (e.g., 2 3 > 1 7 ...
- 6.NS.1.c
Represent and determine equivalencies among fractions (proper or improper) and mixed numbers that have denominators that are 12 or less or factors of 100 and pe...
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