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NW-FREE-FRAC · Freebie · Page 1

Fraction Benchmarks Mini Pack Free

Grades 3-6 · 20-30 minutes · benchmarks, number lines, and comparison

Benchmarks: 0, 1/2, 1 (and sometimes 1/4, 3/4)
License: free to print and share (keep attribution)
More: Fractions & Decimals Bridge Kit on NumberWonders.com/products

A) Number line intuition

Mark each fraction as close to 0, 1/2, or 1. You can write “near 0”, “near 1/2”, or “near 1”.

1/8

3/5

7/8

2/3

9/10

5/12

4/9

11/12

1/3

10.

3/4

B) Compare using benchmarks

Write <, >, or =.

11.

3/8 __ 1/2

12.

5/6 __ 3/4

13.

7/10 __ 2/3

14.

4/5 __ 9/10

15.

2/9 __ 1/4

C) Mini number line

Label 0, 1/2, and 1. Then place 1/4 and 3/4.

Now answer:

16.

Which is bigger: 2/5 or 1/2?

17.

Which is closer to 1: 5/6 or 7/8?

18.

Write a fraction between 1/2 and 3/4.

Teacher tip: ask “What’s half of the denominator?” to decide if a fraction is above/below 1/2.

Answer Key

NW-FREE-FRAC · Freebie · Page 2

Answer key (sample solutions)

A) Benchmarks

near 0

near 1/2 (a bit above)

near 1

near 1/2 (above)

near 1

near 1/2 (below)

near 1

near 0 (but not tiny)

10.

near 1 (3/4)

B) Comparisons

11.

3/8 < 1/2

12.

5/6 > 3/4

13.

7/10 > 2/3

14.

4/5 < 9/10

15.

2/9 < 1/4

C) Number line

16.

2/5 < 1/2

17.

7/8 is closer to 1

18.

Example: 2/3

Next step: the Fractions & Decimals Bridge Kit expands this into 10 sessions + station cards.