Home Activity: Comparing Fractions

10-minute activities to practice with your child at home

Dear Families,

Your child is learning to compare fractions and find equivalent fractions. This is an important skill that students often find tricky! The key insight is that larger denominators mean SMALLER pieces. These activities use real-world examples to help this concept click.

Why This Matters for the FAST Test

The Florida FAST assessment tests fraction comparison using visual models and number lines. Students who rely on "bigger numbers = bigger fractions" make mistakes. These activities build the correct understanding: it's about the SIZE of the pieces, not just how many.

🍕

Activity 1: Pizza Slice Challenge

Use food to understand fraction size

  1. Draw two same-sized circles (or use paper plates) to represent pizzas.
  2. Cut one into 4 equal slices and one into 8 equal slices.
  3. Ask: "Which is bigger—1 slice from the 4-slice pizza or 1 slice from the 8-slice pizza?"
  4. Have your child physically compare the slices.
  5. Explain: "1/4 is bigger than 1/8 because when you cut into fewer pieces, each piece is larger!"
Common Mistake to Correct:

If your child says 1/8 is bigger because 8 > 4, show them the actual slices. "More cuts = smaller pieces!"

🍫

Activity 2: Chocolate Bar Fractions

Find equivalent fractions with candy

  1. Use a chocolate bar with sections (like a Hershey bar) or draw a rectangle divided into 8 parts.
  2. Show: "If I eat 4 out of 8 sections, what fraction did I eat?" (4/8)
  3. Ask: "Is there another way to describe this?" Guide them to see 4/8 = 1/2.
  4. Try other equivalents:
    • 2/8 = 1/4 (show by grouping sections)
    • 6/8 = 3/4
  5. Key phrase: "Same amount, different names!"
Tip:

Use real snacks! Graham crackers, Kit-Kats, or any food that breaks into equal pieces works great for this.

📏

Activity 3: Ruler Fraction Hunt

Connect fractions to measurement

  1. Look at a ruler together. Find the inch marks.
  2. Point to the 1/2 inch mark. Then find 2/4 inch (same spot!) and 4/8 inch (same spot!).
  3. Say: "All these fractions land at the same place—they're equivalent!"
  4. Compare: "Which is longer, 3/4 inch or 3/8 inch?" Have your child point to each on the ruler.
  5. Challenge: "Find something in our house that's about 1/2 inch long."
Tip:

This connects fractions to real measurement—exactly how the FAST test uses ruler-based questions!

🃏

Activity 4: Fraction War

A fun comparison game

  1. Make fraction cards (or write fractions on index cards): 1/2, 1/3, 1/4, 2/3, 2/4, 3/4, 1/6, 2/6, 3/6, 1/8, 2/8, 4/8
  2. Shuffle and deal cards evenly.
  3. Each player flips one card. Compare fractions—higher fraction wins both cards.
  4. If fractions are equivalent (like 1/2 and 2/4), it's a tie—flip again!
  5. Play until one person has all cards (or set a timer).
Tip:

For tough comparisons, draw quick fraction bars to check who wins.

Questions to Ask Your Child

Resumen en Espanol

Comparar fracciones: Su hijo esta aprendiendo a comparar fracciones y encontrar fracciones equivalentes. La idea clave es que denominadores mas grandes significan piezas MAS PEQUENAS.

Actividades en casa:

Error comun: Los ninos piensan que 1/8 > 1/4 porque 8 > 4. ¡Use ejemplos reales para mostrar que mas cortes = piezas mas pequenas!

FAST Success Kit | Grade 3 | FL B.E.S.T. Standards: MA.3.FR.2.1, MA.3.FR.2.2
Helping Florida families support student success