Fraction Strip Detective
Read non-unit fractions as repeated unit fractions in strip models.
Preview the complete lesson
Eight core questions and a two-question exit ticket. Print one set per student.
c1. What fraction is shaded? Write its value.
c2. What fraction is shaded? Write its value.
c3. What fraction is shaded? Write its value.
c4. What fraction is shaded? Write its value.
c5. What fraction is shaded? Write its value.
c6. What fraction is shaded? Write its value.
c7. What fraction is shaded? Write its value.
c8. What fraction is shaded? Write its value.
e1. Name two shaded parts in a strip of three equal parts.
e2. What does the denominator tell a strip detective?
Before the lesson
Recognize a whole and count equal parts.
Materials
- Pencil: 1 per student
- Plain paper sheets: 2 per student
- Projector: 1 per class (optional)
Activity
- Draw strips with thirds, fourths, sixths and eighths. Shade a different number of parts.
- Cover the labels. A partner names the shaded amount and explains the denominator.
- Uncover labels and repair mismatches using the equal-part count.
45-minute teaching sequence
Look at the first model or task. What is the whole? What do you notice?
Draw strips with thirds, fourths, sixths and eighths. Shade a different number of parts.
Cover the labels. A partner names the shaded amount and explains the denominator.
Uncover labels and repair mismatches using the equal-part count.
Choose core practice, or use the support prompts before moving to core. Use challenge prompts for explanation and transfer.
Name two shaded parts in a strip of three equal parts. What does the denominator tell a strip detective?
Watch for this misconception
Swapping numerator and denominator.
Point to all equal parts first; point to shaded parts second.
Teacher answer key. Open responses include a rubric and one valid sample.
c1. What fraction is shaded? Write its value.
2 parts of size 1/3 represent 2/3.
c2. What fraction is shaded? Write its value.
3 parts of size 1/4 represent 3/4.
c3. What fraction is shaded? Write its value.
2 parts of size 1/4 represent 2/4.
c4. What fraction is shaded? Write its value.
5 parts of size 1/6 represent 5/6.
c5. What fraction is shaded? Write its value.
3 parts of size 1/8 represent 3/8.
c6. What fraction is shaded? Write its value.
7 parts of size 1/8 represent 7/8.
c7. What fraction is shaded? Write its value.
4 parts of size 1/6 represent 4/6.
c8. What fraction is shaded? Write its value.
1 parts of size 1/3 represent 1/3.
s1. What fraction is shaded? Write its value.
1 parts of size 1/2 represent 1/2.
s2. What fraction is shaded? Write its value.
2 parts of size 1/3 represent 2/3.
s3. What fraction is shaded? Write its value.
1 parts of size 1/4 represent 1/4.
s4. What fraction is shaded? Write its value.
3 parts of size 1/4 represent 3/4.
h1. Draw 2/3 in two different orientations.
A vertical or horizontal strip with three equal parts and two shaded shows 2/3.
- Identify the whole and use equal-sized parts where needed.
- Show a correct model or numerical relationship.
- Explain why the model supports your conclusion.
h2. A strip has six equal parts, four shaded. Explain why 6/4 is the wrong label.
The denominator counts all six parts; the numerator counts four shaded parts.
- Identify the whole and use equal-sized parts where needed.
- Show a correct model or numerical relationship.
- Explain why the model supports your conclusion.
h3. Draw a strip for 5/8 and describe the unshaded amount.
Shade five of eight equal sections; three eighths stay unshaded.
- Identify the whole and use equal-sized parts where needed.
- Show a correct model or numerical relationship.
- Explain why the model supports your conclusion.
h4. Make a clue for a strip showing 3/4 without using the fraction name.
Four equal sections; three are shaded and one is not.
- Identify the whole and use equal-sized parts where needed.
- Show a correct model or numerical relationship.
- Explain why the model supports your conclusion.
e1. Name two shaded parts in a strip of three equal parts.
Two thirds are shaded.
e2. What does the denominator tell a strip detective?
It tells how many equal parts make the whole.
- Identify the whole and use equal-sized parts where needed.
- Show a correct model or numerical relationship.
- Explain why the model supports your conclusion.
Use the whole and equal-part prompts before moving to independent practice. Some items revisit the core concept with simpler models.
s1. What fraction is shaded? Write its value.
s2. What fraction is shaded? Write its value.
s3. What fraction is shaded? Write its value.
s4. What fraction is shaded? Write its value.
e1. Name two shaded parts in a strip of three equal parts.
e2. What does the denominator tell a strip detective?
Explain, transfer, and critique. More than one valid response may satisfy the rubric.
h1. Draw 2/3 in two different orientations.
h2. A strip has six equal parts, four shaded. Explain why 6/4 is the wrong label.
h3. Draw a strip for 5/8 and describe the unshaded amount.
h4. Make a clue for a strip showing 3/4 without using the fraction name.
e1. Name two shaded parts in a strip of three equal parts.
e2. What does the denominator tell a strip detective?
Teaching notes & lesson sources
Designed for Grade 3. Read non-unit fractions as repeated unit fractions in strip models.
Version 1.0.0. Original, AI-assisted lesson content. Free local classroom use; public reuse terms have not yet been assigned.
These lessons have not yet been field-tested in classrooms. Use the exit ticket and student explanations to decide what to revisit.