This Tool Will Accelerate Your Students’ Understanding of Fractions

Just because students recognize a fraction model doesn’t mean they can reason about the size of the fractions in comparison to other fractions.  This number line helps alleviate some of that difficulty for students.  You can proudly display this in your classroom on the wall as a year-long reference tool.  The number line stretches to about 10 feet long and is spaced by increments of twenty-fourths. 

If you don’t want to introduce your students to twenty fourths yet, you can  use the included blank fraction cards to cover up these increments.

Fractions to show equivalence are also included.  Students can see how the blue portion of the square is the same size as the equivalent fraction above it.   You could play a whole class matching game in which you have students place their equivalent fraction underneath the fraction on the number line.

In case students have a hard time visualizing the space being the same size a variety of fraction cards are provided in which the rectangles are in different directions.  For example, see below.

Because this number line prints on 8.5 x 11 card stock there is some assembly required.  I assembled this one in less than 30 minutes. Cutting out the additional cards can be done as needed and is not necessary at first.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=risq_xBsmOI[/embedyt]