Mathematics
Intermediate
50 mins
Teacher/Student led
Learning Goals
Learning Outcomes
Lesson Files
+80 XP
Teacher-led from the board. Pupils do not need a device, but can follow on one.
What you need:
IWB/Projector/Large Screen

Fractions on a Number Line

Learn to place fractions as points on a number line between 0 and 1 by splitting the gap into equal jumps, then connect this to fractions of whole shapes.

Teacher Class Feed

Load previous activity
    Your turn
    Your teacher is running this lesson on the board. Here is the part you can try yourself.
    Your written work is on page 31
    Number line
    Number line

    1 - Getting Started ~4 mins

    A running track drawn as a number line: 0 at the start flag, 1 at the finish flagHere is a running track drawn as a number line. The start line is 0 and the finish line is 1: one whole race. If a runner is at the halfway point, exactly where on the line are they standing?

    Hands up: where would halfway be, and how could you be sure it really is the middle?

    👇 Mark your steps as done as you complete them.

    +5 XP

    2 - Watch and Notice ~9 mins

    The number line runs from 0 to 1, and each fraction lands a marker on it. Watch how the bottom number splits the gap into equal jumps and the top number tells us how many to count.

    👇 Mark your steps as done as you complete them.

    +10 XP

    3 - Try It Together ~11 mins

    Today we explore together: when a fraction is called out, place its point on the line between 0 and 1. First we decide how many equal jumps to split the gap into, then we count the jumps.

    Place the called fraction between 0 and 1

    +15 XP

    4 - Draw the Line in Your Copy ~5 mins

    COPYBOOK MOMENT

    In your maths copy, draw a line from 0 to 1. Split it into four equal jumps using your ruler. Then label one half at the point exactly in the middle.

    +10 XP

    5 - Class Challenge ~7 mins

    Today we work through these fractions one at a time: place one half, then one quarter, then one third, then two thirds on the line between 0 and 1. Each time, decide the equal jumps first, then place the point and check.

    Place fractions between 0 and 1

    +15 XP

    6 - What Did We Notice? ~3 mins

    MATHS TALK

    We placed one half on the number line by splitting the gap into 2 equal jumps. Now picture a pizza split into 2 equal slices, and you take 1 slice. How is the point on the line the same as that slice of pizza? Both show one half — the same amount, just drawn in a different picture.

    +10 XP

    7 - What's Next ~3 mins

    What we learned today

    • A fraction is a point between 0 and 1 on the number line.
    • The bottom number tells us how many equal jumps to split the gap into; the top number tells us how many to count.
    • One half on the line is the same amount as one half of a whole shape.
    Coming up

    Next we will line up fractions to find ones that name the very same amount, like one half and two quarters.

    +5 XP
    Pupil practice
    Module 3 · Fractions and First Decimals Number
    Lesson 33 · Fractions on a Number Line
    Download Activity Book page (PDF)
    End of lesson
    123learn · Online learning platform

    Unlock the full learning experience

    You're previewing this lesson. Get full access to this lesson and hundreds more — each one ready to teach, with interactive activities, printable resources and pupil progress tracking built in.

    Hundreds of curriculum-aligned lessons
    Interactive activities in every lesson
    Printable resources & progress tracking
    Get started
    Copyright Notice
    This lesson is copyright of Coding Ireland 2017 - 2025. Unauthorised use, copying or distribution is not allowed.
    🍪 Our website uses cookies to make your browsing experience better. By using our website you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more