Identify Fractions With Shapes
Skill: Naming the fraction of a shape that is shaded
Download PDF worksheetAnswer key (PDF)
Free for personal and classroom use. Print at 100% / "Actual size" on US Letter paper.
About this worksheet
This third-grade worksheet builds an understanding of what a fraction really means. Each of the twelve shapes, either a circle or a rectangle, is divided into equal parts, and some of those parts are shaded. Students write the fraction that names the shaded part. Denominators include halves, thirds, fourths, sixths, and eighths, which are the fractions emphasized in grade 3.
How to use it: for each shape, ask your child two questions. First, "How many equal parts is the whole divided into?" That number is the denominator and goes on the bottom. Second, "How many parts are shaded?" That number is the numerator and goes on the top. Emphasize the word equal; a fraction only makes sense when every part is the same size. If your child mixes up the numbers, remind them that the denominator tells the "name" of the parts (fourths, sixths) and the numerator counts how many of those parts we have.
The answer key gives the correct fraction for each shape. As an extension, ask what fraction is not shaded, or which two shapes show the most of their whole. This worksheet supports Common Core standard 3.NF.A.1 (understand a fraction 1/b as one part when a whole is partitioned into b equal parts, and a/b as a parts of size 1/b).
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