A short lesson on equivalent fractions in three sheets. The first explains the idea with bar models and two worked examples. The second is guided practice with the steps partly filled in. The third is practice on its own, with the work shown in the answer key.
The idea in bar models, why the rule works, two worked examples, and the mistake to watch for.
Download PDF
Sixteen problems that start with bars to shade and move to the rule one step at a time. Includes answer key.
Download PDF
Missing numbers, write your own, circle the equal fractions, and one question to explain. Includes answer key.
Download PDFEquivalent fractions are fractions that look different but name the same amount. One half, two fourths and four eighths all cover the same part of a whole. The pieces are a different size in each one, and that is the only difference.
The How It Works sheet starts with that picture and then shows where the rule comes from. Cutting every piece of a bar in two gives twice as many pieces and twice as many shaded pieces, so the top and the bottom of the fraction are both multiplied by 2. Students who see this are less likely to treat "multiply the top and the bottom" as a trick to memorize.
The guided practice sheet moves in small steps. Students shade bars first, then multiply with the multiplier given, then find the multiplier themselves, and last divide to make smaller numbers. The independent practice sheet mixes all of it and ends with a common mistake to explain: adding the same number to the top and the bottom.
For hands-on work, pair the lesson with the fraction strips, and keep the fraction chart nearby for checking answers. More practice is on the fractions worksheets page.