Pizza Fraction Showdown Slides
Pizza Fraction Showdown
Which slice is the biggest prize? Let's compare fractions by size!
Grade 3 Math: Fractions
Quick Fire Review
If all slices are the same size...
Which is more pizza?
1 Slice
OR
3 Slices
Video: Like Fractions
Watch carefully! We are going to see shapes divided into equal parts. Pay close attention to the bottom number of our fractions.
Embedded media
Pause at 0:38
Pause at 1:07
Pause at 1:38
1 Pause & Compare: The Fifths
\[ \frac{2}{5} \]
Two-Fifths
\[ \frac{3}{5} \]
Three-Fifths
"Both circles are the same size.
Which fraction has more shaded color?"
2 Pause & Compare: The Sevenths
\[ \frac{3}{7} \]
Three-Sevenths
\[ \frac{5}{7} \]
Five-Sevenths
"If the pieces are the same size,
how do we know which circle has more?"
3 Pause & Compare: The Ninths
\[ \frac{4}{9} \]
Four-Ninths
\[ \frac{8}{9} \]
Eight-Ninths
Which square is almost full?
The Golden Pizza Rule
When the bottom numbers (denominators) are the same...
Look at the TOP number!
Bigger Numerator =
Bigger Fraction
Greater Than or Less Than?
Open your notebooks. Draw the shapes from the video and write the comparison symbol (< or >) between them.
Set 1
2/5 ___ 3/5
Set 2
3/7 ___ 5/7
Set 3
4/9 ___ 8/9
>
Greater Than
<
Less Than
Show What You Know
Time for your Exit Ticket! Circle the larger fraction.
1/6 vs. 5/6
Pizza Showdown Exit Ticket
Exit Ticket
Pizza Fraction Showdown
Name:
Date:
Instructions
Shade the circles to show each fraction. Then, circle the fraction that is larger.
\[ \frac{1}{6} \]
\[ \frac{5}{6} \]
The Golden Rule Challenge
How do you know which fraction is bigger when the bottom numbers are the same?
Pizza Showdown Teacher Guide
Teacher Playbook
Lesson: Pizza Fraction Showdown
Duration
45 Min
Learning Objective
Students will compare two fractions with the same denominator using visual models and establish a rule for comparing like fractions.
Materials Needed
- Pizza Showdown Slides
- Exit Ticket (1 per student)
- Student Notebooks & Pencils
Lesson Timeline
5 min
Warm-Up
Quick Fire Review
"Which is more pizza? 1 slice or 3 slices? (Assuming slices are same size)"
Ensure students understand that more slices of the same size equals a larger total amount. This builds the conceptual bridge to comparing numerators.
10 min
Viewing
Video: Like Fractions
Use the "Like Fractions" video. Pause at the following points to facilitate discussion:
0:38 (Fifths)
"Both circles are the same size. Which has more yellow? 2/5 or 3/5?"
1:07 (Sevenths)
"Which shape has more parts shaded? 3/7 or 5/7?"
15 min
Discussion
The Golden Pizza Rule
Guide students to formulate the comparison rule. Ask:
"When the bottom number (denominator) is the same, how do we know which fraction is bigger?"
Key Takeaway:
If denominators are the same, look at the numerator. The larger numerator is the larger fraction because it means more pieces of the same size!
15 min
Activity
Notebook Comparison
Students draw the fraction pairs from the video in their notebooks. They must include a comparison symbol (< or >) between each pair.
- Set 1: 2/5 and 3/5
- Set 2: 3/7 and 5/7
- Set 3: 4/9 and 8/9
Closure: Exit Ticket
Hand out the Exit Ticket. Students must compare 1/6 and 5/6.
Check for: Correct shading, correct circling of the larger fraction, and a clear explanation of the numerator rule.
