standard_description: Understand a fraction as a number on the number line; represent fractions on a number line diagram.
Grade 3 expectations in this domain are limited to fractions with denominators 2, 3, 4, 6, and 8.
problem_activity: Narrative
The purpose of this Estimation Exploration is to practice the skill of estimating a reasonable answer based on experience and known information. The warm-up also draws students' attention to a length between a full inch and one-half of an inch, preparing students to work with such lengths later.
Launch
Groups of 2
Display the image.
“What is an estimate that’s too high? Too low? About right?”
1 minute: quiet think time
Activity
“Discuss your thinking with your partner.”
1 minute: partner discussion
Record responses.
Student Facing
What is the length of the paper clip?
[IMG]
Record an estimate that is:
|                    too low                     |                   just right                   |                    too high                    |
|------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------|
| \(\phantom{\hspace{2.5cm} \\ \hspace{2.5cm}}\) | \(\phantom{\hspace{2.5cm} \\ \hspace{2.5cm}}\) | \(\phantom{\hspace{2.5cm} \\ \hspace{2.5cm}}\) |
Student Response
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Activity Synthesis
Consider asking:
“Is anyone’s estimate less than _____? Is anyone’s estimate greater than _____?”
“Based on this discussion does anyone want to revise their estimate?”


aligns: no