Grade 5 Mathematics – Understanding and Comparing Fractions

Lesson Plan

Lesson Plan Title: Grade 5 Mathematics – Understanding and Comparing Fractions


2. Materials Needed
– Fraction wall charts or fraction strips
– Whiteboard and markers
– Visual aids (fraction circles)
– Worksheets with fraction problems
– Rulers
– Number line posters
– Colored paper and scissors
– Pencils and erasers

3. Learning Objectives
By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
1. Understand the concept of fractions as parts of a whole.
2. Identify and write fractions.
3. Compare fractions with like and unlike denominators.
4. Order fractions from smallest to largest.

4. Vocabulary
– Fraction
– Numerator
– Denominator
– Equivalent fractions
– Greater than
– Less than
– Proper fraction
– Improper fraction
– Common denominator

5. Previous Learning
Students should have a basic understanding of whole numbers and parts of a whole, as well as familiarity with basic addition and subtraction.

6. Anticipated Challenges and Solutions
Challenge: Difficulty in understanding fractions with unlike denominators.
Solution: Use visual aids like fraction circles and strips to visually compare the sizes of fractions.
Challenge: Confusion between numerators and denominators.
Solution: Repeatedly emphasize and label parts of fractions during explanations and activities.
Challenge: Struggling to find common denominators.
Solution: Provide step-by-step guided practice and simplify fractions first to make the process more manageable.

7. Beginning Activities (10% of time)
Introduction (5 mins): Begin with a short recap of previous knowledge about whole numbers and parts of a whole.
Engage (5 mins): Show visuals (e.g., pizza slices or fraction circles) and discuss how they represent fractions. Ask students to share what they know about fractions.

8. Middle Activities (80% of time)
1. Understanding Fractions (15 mins):
– Explain the concept of fractions using a fraction wall chart.
– Demonstrate how to write fractions.
– Have students use fraction strips to create their own fraction walls.

  1. Identifying and Writing Fractions (15 mins):
    • Give students visuals (e.g., shaded shapes) and ask them to write the corresponding fractions.
    • Distribute worksheets for practice.
  2. Comparing Fractions with Like Denominators (15 mins):
    • Use the whiteboard to show how to compare fractions with the same denominators by comparing the numerators.
    • Have students engage in partner activities with fraction cards.
  3. Comparing Fractions with Unlike Denominators (20 mins):
    • Introduce the concept of common denominators.
    • Use examples and visual aids to demonstrate finding common denominators and comparing fractions.
    • Guided practice: Work through several examples together, then allow students to try on their own.
  4. Ordering Fractions (15 mins):
    • Show how to order a set of fractions from smallest to largest.
    • Group activity: Students work in small groups to order fractions on number lines.

9. End Activities (10% of time)
Recap and Consolidation (5 mins): Review key concepts and vocabulary. Ask questions to the class to check for understanding.
Exit Ticket (5 mins): Students complete a quick worksheet with a few fraction problems to check their understanding.

10. Assessment and Checks for Understanding
– Monitor students during activities and provide immediate feedback.
– Collect worksheets and exit tickets for review.
– Conduct a brief formative assessment quiz at the end of the lesson.

11. Differentiation Strategies
For Struggling Students: Provide additional visual aids, one-on-one support, and simplified problems.
For Advanced Students: Offer challenging problems that involve more complex fractions and introduce mixed numbers.
For English Language Learners: Use clear and simple language; provide multilingual support where possible.
For Students with Special Needs: Use tactile and visual aids, provide more guided practice, and ensure instructions are clear and concise.

12. Teaching Notes
– Prepare fraction strips, visual aids, and worksheets in advance.
– Ensure all materials are easily accessible to students.
– Plan for flexible grouping to pair or group students based on their understanding levels.
– Continuously monitor and adjust pacing as needed based on student responses and engagement.

Suggested Enhancements and Teaching Tips

Teaching Tip #1: When discussing the concept of fractions, use real-world examples such as slicing fruits or pizzas, relevant to South African learners.

Teaching Tip #2: Encourage peer teaching by having students explain concepts to each other during partner activities.

Cultural Relevance: Incorporate examples familiar to South African students, such as fractions of local foods (e.g., fifths of a boerewors roll).

Technology Integration: Utilize interactive fraction games available online for practice, if technology permits. Alternatively, a simple app like “Fractions by The Math Learning Center” can be used in a computer lab setting.

Indigenous Knowledge: Relate the concept of fractions to local indigenous crafts or traditional sharing practices to make it more relatable and culturally rich.

Assessment Consistency: Ensure formative assessments are varied, including practical demonstrations, written responses, and peer assessments to cover all learner types.

By enhancing these elements, the lesson is more dynamically engaging and finely tuned to the South African CAPS curriculum.