Fractional Parts of a Set in Space

This is a math activity called Fractional Parts of a Set in Space.

It is great for your 3rd grade students.

• Each student will need a blank piece of white paper, both 9 x 12 and 8 ½ x 11 will work, but the larger paper will make it easier to draw pictures big and clear enough to count later on.

• Make it clear that students’ pictures will end up looking very different, but they must follow the instructions for how many things to draw and color very carefully.

• You may opt to have students use the attached “cheat sheet” on which they can redraw their objects in a row in order to better figure out the fractional parts of each set. This depends on how deep their understanding of the concept goes at this point. The first one is already done for them.

• You will probably want to work through the first couple of instructions as a class, also depending on how deep you are into the concept.

On their paper, students will create the following:

8 planets

4 aliens with 3 eyes and 2 antennae each

6 spaceships with 2 exhaust pipes and 3 stickers each

24 stars

9 moons

5 astronauts wearing boots and gloves

For each thing they draw, they will be directed to color a portion of the pictures accordingly.

Students will have a cheat sheet to help them. When they have followed the directions and completed their space picture, students will answer a set of questions about their picture.

This is a fun way to review fractions!

A 5 page printable PDF