Sandy Bluff Well Samples: A Grade 5 Fraction Division Lesson

Hook (5 min): Hold up a half-gallon jug of colored water and ask how much would go into each jar if it were poured equally into 4 jars. Take a few guesses and write them on the board without saying which is correct.

Direct instruction (12 min): Show that 1/2 gallon shared among 4 jars is 1/2 divided by 4. Draw a half-gallon bar, cut it into 4 equal parts, and label each part 1/8. Then reverse the idea: draw 3 whole cups and cut each into thirds to show that 3 divided by 1/3 gives 9 one-third scoops. State the two patterns: dividing a unit fraction by a whole number makes smaller pieces, and dividing a whole number by a unit fraction counts many small pieces.

Guided practice (10 min): Work handout items 1 and 3 together, one of each type, using fraction strips so students can see the pieces. Pause after each to ask a check question.

Formative check (5 min): Ask every student to hold up fingers for the answer to "How many 1/2-liter bottles fill 4 liters?" Look for the class to show 8. If more than a few miss it, redraw the 4 whole liters cut into halves before moving on.

Independent practice (13 min): Students complete the remaining handout items on their own while you circulate. Encourage a drawing beside each answer.

Closure and exit ticket (5 min): Students answer one question on a card: "A worker splits 1/4 gallon of dye equally into 2 jars. How much goes in each jar?" Collect and scan for the answer 1/8 gallon before dismissal.