Classroom · Fractions · 3rd grade

Understanding fractions worksheets

A free five-page pack for 3rd grade: learn to name a fraction from a picture, with a worked example, practice pages, word problems and an answer key.

Download the understanding fractions pack(5 pages, color)Ink saver (B&W)

Watch it solved

52 sec · with voice and captions

A pencil works one example of each activity, so you can see how the worksheet goes before you print it. Tap a step to jump to it. The rest of the sheet is left for your child to finish.

Read what the video says

0:00 Let's practice understanding fractions, step by step.
0:04 The bottom number tells how many equal parts the whole has. The top number tells how many parts are shaded. This is 3/4.
0:13 What fraction is shaded? There are 4 equal parts, and 2 are shaded. That's 2/4.
0:19 Color to show 2/3. The bottom number, 3, means 3 equal parts. Color 2 of them.
0:26 A unit fraction has a 1 on top. Circle 1/4, 1/2, 1/8 and 1/3.
0:34 Word problems. A cake is cut into 6 equal pieces. Hana eats 5. What fraction of the cake did Hana eat? The answer is 5/6.
0:45 Great job! Now print the free worksheet, and finish the rest on your own.

How to do it

The bottom number (denominator) tells how many equal parts the whole has. The top number (numerator) tells how many parts are shaded.

Teaching tip

Ask two questions every time: How many equal parts in all? How many are shaded? The answers are the bottom and top numbers.

Try some

Tap to check2/4
Tap to check7/8
Tap to check3/4
Tap to check2/8
Tap to check2/3
Tap to check3/6
Tap to check2/6
Tap to check2/4

Word problems

A cake is cut into 6 equal pieces. Hana eats 5. What fraction of the cake did Hana eat?Show answer

5/6

A watermelon is cut into 6 equal slices. 1 are left. What fraction is left?Show answer

1/6

Adam has 3 crayons. 1 is red. What fraction of the crayons is red?Show answer

1/3

Which is the unit fraction: 3/4, 1/4 or 4/4?Show answer

1/4 (it has a 1 on top)

What the worksheets look like

Understanding fractions worksheet: how fractions work, then shapes to name — Page 1: how fractions work, then shapes to name

Fraction wall

Strips for one whole, halves, thirds and so on to twelfths, to compare and find equal fractions.

Template(1 page, color)Ink saver (B&W)

Common questions

How do you teach understanding fractions?

The bottom number (denominator) tells how many equal parts the whole has. The top number (numerator) tells how many parts are shaded. Ask two questions every time: How many equal parts in all? How many are shaded? The answers are the bottom and top numbers.

What grade learns understanding fractions?

Usually 3rd grade. In the Common Core it is part of 3.NF.A.1.

Is there an answer key?

Yes. Page 5 has every answer from the pack and a short teaching tip.