Guidance on the teaching of fractions in Key Stage 1
Spine 3: Fractions – Topic 3.0
Fractions
Spine 3 of the Primary Mastery Professional Development Materials
Introduction
The Fractions spine is divided into 10 segments for Years 3–6, plus a preliminary segment (3.0) with guidance notes on teaching fractions in Key Stage 1. For each of these segments we have produced a detailed teacher guide, including text and images.
For the 10 main segments, the images are also presented as animated PowerPoint slides, which further enhance teacher knowledge and can be used in the classroom (for best results, please view these in ‘Slideshow’ view; for some slides, supporting notes are provided in the ‘Notes’ section).
These materials are not, in any way, lesson plans, but they can be used in conjunction with a high-quality mastery textbook to support planning.
The following PDF offers an overview of the complete Fractions spine, including a synopsis of each segment.
Key Stage 1
Year 3
Preparing for fractions: the part–whole relationship
Spine 3: Fractions – Topic 3.1
Unit fractions: identifying, representing and comparing
Spine 3: Fractions – Topic 3.2
Non-unit fractions: identifying, representing and comparing
Spine 3: Fractions – Topic 3.3
Adding and subtracting within one whole
Spine 3: Fractions – Topic 3.4
Year 4
Working across one whole: improper fractions and mixed numbers
Spine 3: Fractions – Topic 3.5
Multiplying whole numbers and fractions
Spine 3: Fractions – Topic 3.6
Year 5
Finding equivalent fractions and simplifying fractions
Spine 3: Fractions – Topic 3.7
Common denomination: more adding and subtracting
Spine 3: Fractions – Topic 3.8
Year 6
Multiplying fractions and dividing fractions by a whole number
Spine 3: Fractions – Topic 3.9
Linking fractions, decimals and percentages
Spine 3: Fractions – Topic 3.10
Acknowledgements
The NCETM and Maths Hubs would like to thank the following for their contribution to the materials:
- Primary mathematics specialists: Adrian Cannell, Clare Christie, Suzanne Coxon, Jonathan East, Alison Hopper, Elizabeth Lambert, Debbie Morgan, Cat Stone
- Educational consultant: Dr Alf Coles, University of Bristol
- Editorial and production: Liam Benson, Design and Define; Nicholas Bromley; Charlotte Christensen; Rachel Houghton; Jalita Jacobsen; Bill Mantovani; David Mantovani; Sam Radford; Gemma Smith; Cheryl Stirr; Yvette Sturdy, DiGiV8 Ltd; Christine Vaughan; Andrew Young
- Illustrations: Steve Evans
