Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v5 - Grade 4

Lesson Video

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Performance objectives

• Recognise and name unit and non-unit fractions.
• Write fractions in symbols and in words.
• Compare and order fractions with the same denominator.
• Solve simple word problems involving fractions.
• Identify some equivalent fractions using diagrams.

Lesson summary

This week, we dive into the exciting world of fractions. Fractions are a fundamental concept in Mathematics that represent parts of a whole. Understanding them is crucial not just for passing tests, but for everyday life in South Africa. We use fractions when we share a loaf of bread or a pot of pap with our family, when we follow a recipe to make vetkoek, when we measure ingredients, or even when we talk about time (half an hour). This lesson will help learners see fractions not as difficult numbers, but as a practical tool for fairness, sharing, and understanding the world around them.

Lesson notes

What is a Fraction? A fraction tells us about a part of a whole thing. The 'whole' can be one single object (like one pizza) or a group of objects (like a bag of 12 oranges). The most important rule about fractions is that the whole must be divided into EQUAL parts. If the parts are not equal, we cannot call them fractions.

The Two Parts of a Fraction: Numerator and Denominator A fraction is written with two numbers, one on top of the other, separated by a line. Numerator (Top Number) Denominator (Bottom Number)

The Denominator (Downstairs): This number tells you how many equal parts the whole is divided into. Think of it as the name of the fraction family. If the denominator is 4, we are talking about 'quarters'. If it's 8, we are talking about 'eighths'.

Tip:* The bigger the denominator, the smaller each piece is. A pizza cut for 8 people (eighths) will have much smaller slices than a pizza cut for 2 people (halves).

The Numerator (Upstairs): This number tells you how many of those equal parts you have or are thinking about. It counts the pieces.

Example: The fraction 3/4 The denominator is 4, which means the whole was divided into 4 equal parts (quarters). The numerator is 3, which means we are talking about 3 of those parts.