Mathematics

Intermediate

50 mins

Teacher/Student led

Learning Goals

Learning Outcomes

Lesson Files

+80 XP

What you need:
IWB/Projector/Large Screen

Ordering a Set of Fractions

Learn to order a set of four fractions by finding a common denominator and rewriting each fraction so you can compare the numerators directly.

Warning: Your screen size is quite small for viewing this. Rotate your device into landscape mode if you can.

1 Getting Started
2 Watch and Notice
3 Try It Together
4 Write the Set in Your Copy
5 Class Challenge
6 What Did We Notice?
7 What's Next
Pupil practice

1 - Getting Started ~3 mins

Illustration for Getting Started Four fractions are on the board in random order: 1/2, 1/3, 2/3, 5/6.

Hands up, which one is the biggest? Which one is the smallest? What single trick would help you put all four of them in order from smallest to biggest?

👇 Mark your steps as done as you complete them.

+5 XP

2 - Watch and Notice ~10 mins

Watch three sets of four fractions go in order on the IWB. Each set is in ascending order, the smallest at the top, the biggest at the bottom, and the fraction strips show why. Look at the strip lengths: every set works the same way once you find a common denominator.

Example 1: 1/3, 1/2, 2/3, 5/6 (common denominator 6)

Example 2: 1/4, 3/8, 1/2, 5/8 (common denominator 8)

Example 3: 2/5, 1/2, 3/5, 7/10 (common denominator 10)

👇 Mark your steps as done as you complete them.

+10 XP

3 - Try It Together ~7 mins

Today's set on the IWB: 1/4, 3/8, 1/2, 5/8. The strips are on screen but they are NOT in order yet. Look at the strip lengths, which fraction is shortest? Which is longest? What common denominator lines all four up so the comparison is obvious?

Key point

Call out 'smaller' or 'bigger' as the strips move, the class agrees or corrects each move out loud.

Order {1/4, 3/8, 1/2, 5/8} ascending

+15 XP

4 - Write the Set in Your Copy ~5 mins

COPYBOOK MOMENT

In your maths copy, take this set of four fractions:

Rewrite each one with denominator 6 underneath the original. Then number them 1 to 4 from smallest to biggest at the bottom.

+10 XP

Pupil practice

Module 3 · Fractions, Decimals and Percentages Number

Lesson 33 · Ordering a Set of Fractions

Download Activity Book page (PDF)

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 - 2026. Unauthorised use, copying or distribution is not allowed.