Comparing Fractions – 3rd Grade Activity

Are your students in need of additional practice comparing fractions with like numerators and denominators? Reasoning about the size of a fraction to compare them is an important skill to master before proceeding into trickier fraction concepts. Teach Starter has created a set of 24 task cards that are ready for you to print and use with your students during your fractions unit. 

With this set of task cards, students will demonstrate their understanding of comparing fractions with like numerators and like denominators by answering a variety of problems, including word problems. The included challenge cards (marked with a star) involve comparing fractions with different numerators and denominators or require the students to think a bit more critically about the problem.

Tips for Differentiation + Scaffolding 

A team of dedicated, experienced educators created this resource to support your math lessons.

In addition to individual student work time, use this set of task cards to enhance learning through guided math groups, whole class lessons, or remote learning assignments. 

If you have a mixture of above and below-level learners, check out these suggestions for keeping students on track with the concepts: 

🆘 Support Struggling Students

Help students who need help understanding the concepts by providing visuals of the comparing symbols >, <, and =. Additionally, you could remove the challenge questions from the set and modify how many/which task cards students are to answer.

➕ Challenge Fast Finishers

For students that need an extra challenge, encourage them to create their own task cards. Students can also work on the 4 challenge cards that are included.

🛴 Scoot Activity 

Place the cards around the room in numerical order and give each student a recording sheet. Assign students or pairs to a starting point card. Give students time to review the card and record their answers in the corresponding space on their paper. Students will rotate to the next card when you say, “SCOOT!” Continue in this manner until students return to their starting point. 

👋 Exit Ticket 

Use these cards as a formative assessment after your lesson. Pick a random assortment of cards and project them on the board for the whole class to see. Students can record their answers on a sheet of paper, sticky note, or their notebook. 

Easily Prepare This Resource for Your Students

Use the dropdown icon on the Download button to choose between the PDF or Google Slides version of this resource. A recording sheet and answer key are also included with this download. 

Print on cardstock for added durability and longevity. Place all pieces in a folder or large envelope for easy access. 

To keep the task cards out of pockets or under desks, punch a hole in the corner of each and place them on a binder ring. 

Sustainability Tip: Print a few recording sheets on cardstock and slip them into dry-erase sleeves. Students can record their answers with a whiteboard marker, then erase and reuse them.  

This resource was created by Brittany Kellogg, a teacher in Ohio and Teach Starter Collaborator. 

Don’t stop there! We’ve got more activities and resources that cut down on lesson planning time:  

teaching resource

Comparing Fractions – Exit Tickets

Compare fractions with the same numerator or denominator with this set of 24 exit tickets.

teaching resource

Comparing Fractions – Instructional Slide Deck

Teach your students about comparing fractions with like numerators or denominators by means of visual models, number lines, and mathematical reasoning.

teaching resource

Comparing Fractions – Sorting Activity

Strengthen fraction comparison skills by sorting cards according to the inequality symbol that makes each statement true.