Fraction Circles

A circle cut into equal parts is where most children first truly see a fraction, and this Fraction Circles Worksheet gives third graders ten chances to read one and build one. Before a student can add, compare, or simplify, they have to know that the bottom number counts the equal parts in the whole and the top number counts the parts being talked about. Shading and naming parts of a circle makes both numbers visible at once, which is exactly what the third grade standards ask for.

The worksheet has two parts. In Part A, six circles are already divided and shaded, and the student writes the fraction on the bar beside each one. The denominators jump around on purpose, and every answer is already in lowest terms, so a child has to count the parts rather than guess a pattern. In Part B, four fractions are printed above four empty circles, and the student shades the right number of parts to match. Reading a picture and building a picture are opposite directions of the same skill, and doing both on one page is what makes the idea stick. A full answer key on the second page shows every fraction written and every circle shaded.

What’s Included

• One printable worksheet page with a name and date line and ten fraction circle problems
• Part A: six shaded circles to name, using halves, thirds, fourths, sixths and eighths
• Part B: four printed fractions with circles to shade
• A full answer key page showing every written fraction and every shaded circle
• Instant PDF download, formatted for standard letter paper

This Fraction Circles Worksheet helps children learn the skill in three ways. First, every circle on the page is drawn to exact geometry, so equal parts really are equal and a child can trust what they are counting. Second, writing the answer on a fraction bar instead of a blank line teaches the notation itself, with the numerator sitting above the bar and the denominator below it. Third, the shading task in Part B catches the most common third grade error, which is counting only the shaded pieces and forgetting to count the whole.

Teachers and parents can build on this fractions circles activity in plenty of ways. Cut a paper plate into halves, thirds and fourths and let a child stack them to see which piece is bigger. Ask students to name the unshaded part of every Part A circle as well, so they meet the idea that the two fractions make one whole. Fold a sandwich, a pancake or an orange at snack time and name the pieces out loud. For a challenge, ask which two circles on the page show the same amount, and have the student explain how they can tell.

Related Resources

• Shading Fractions Fourths Worksheet
• Comparing Visual Fractions Worksheet
• Halves Thirds and Fourths Worksheet
• Greater Than Less Than Inequalities Song