Evaluating

Equivalent
Fractions
Fourth Grade Math 45 minutes Standards: 4.NF.A.1

by Amanda Clarkson August 1, 2015

Students will practice coming up with equivalent fractions in a fast paced challenge! This is an
introductory lesson to equivalent fractions.

Learning Objectives
Students will be able to generate equivalent fractions.

Materials and Preparation Attachments
Equivalent Fractions worksheet
PDF

Equivalent
Fractions

Get more lesson plans at www.education.com/lesson-plans/

Lesson
Introduction (5 minutes)
Write the word "equivalent" on the board.
Ask students what word they see in "equivalent" that looks familiar? Once students see the
similarities to "equal," explain that equivalent fractions are fractions that are equal to one
another.
Draw a circle on the board and split it in half. Color one half of the circle. Ask students what
fraction is being shown. Write "1/2" on the board.
Now, draw another line perpendicular to the first through the circle. Ask students what
fraction is being shown now. Write "2/4" on the board.
Explain that although these are two different fractions, they are equivalent to one another.
The amount shaded on the circle did not change, it was simply divided into more parts.

Explicit Instruction/Teacher Modeling (10 minutes)

Return to the two fractions on the board: 1/2 and 2/4.
Explain that to determine if two fractions are equivalent, you must be able to multiply or
divide the numerator and denominator by the same number.
Ask students what they can multiply both the numerator and denominator by in 1/2 to have it
equal 2/4.
Show students other fractions that are equivalent to 1/2 and 2/4, such as 3/6, 12/24, and
100/200. In each case, show students how the numerator and denominator are multiplied
by the same number to create the equivalent fraction.
Show students another fraction: 8/24. Show students how the numerator and denominator
could be divided by 8 to equal 1/3, or by 4 to equal 2/6.

Guided Practice/Interactive Modeling (10 minutes)

Have two students come up to the whiteboard at a time.
Give students a fraction. Students need to write an equivalent fraction as quickly as
possible.
Whoever writes a correct equivalent fraction first stays at the board.
Continue by having students come to the board to come up with equivalent fractions.

Get more lesson plans at www.education.com/lesson-plans/

Independent Working Time (10 minutes)
Hand out the Equivalent Fractions worksheet.
Students should complete the worksheet as directed, but also generate at least 2 additional
equivalent fractions for each fraction given.

Extend
Differentiation
Enrichment: Have students come up with real life scenarios of where they would need to
know equivalent fractions. Students can work in pairs to brainstorm ideas.
Support: Some students who struggle with basic multiplication facts may have difficulty
generating more equivalent fractions. These students could use a multiplication chart when
coming up with equivalent fractions.

Review
Assessment (5 minutes)
Use the correctness of the Equivalent Fractions worksheet to determine students'
understanding.

Review and Closing (5 minutes)

Have some students share the equivalent fractions they came up with from their worksheet.
As students share, have the rest of the class determine how they know these fractions are
equivalent. For example, 2/3=10/15. Both the numerator and denominator were multiplied
by 5.

Get more lesson plans at www.education.com/lesson-plans/

Copyright © 2006 - 2015 Education.com, Inc. All rights reserved.

Get more lesson plans at www.education.com/lesson-plans/