Fraction Sentence Frames for Teaching Math Vocabulary

When students struggle to describe what they see in a fraction, the problem is often vocabulary, not understanding. Fraction sentence frames give students the exact language they need to explain their thinking out loud and in writing. In my second-grade classroom, introducing these frames alongside hands-on fraction work made a noticeable difference in how confidently students talked about fractions. Below, I walk through the sequence we used, including the actual frames you can put in front of your students.

Become Familiar with the Vocabulary

The first day of working with fractions, we made fraction strips.  This activity helped students become familiar with the language of fractions through hands-on cutting.

We also played a game called Cover Up, where students had to cover up their whole piece with the fractional amount rolled on a die.  While playing, one of the “rules” was that students had to name the fraction, which helped them practice the correct terminology.

With older students, I have them write their turns to see how like fractions can be put together and how, when it’s all added up, it equals one.  For my second graders, my main objective was for them to practice accurate fraction vocabulary.

Introduce and Practice with Fraction Sentence Frames

The sentence frames I used with my second graders were straightforward and focused on the core vocabulary: equal parts, numerator, and denominator.

Here are the frames we worked with:

• This shape is divided into _____ equal parts.
• _____ out of _____ equal parts are shaded.
• The fraction shown is _____.
• The numerator is _____. It tells how many parts are shaded.
• The denominator is _____. It tells the total number of equal parts.

These frames work because they remove the language barrier without removing the thinking. Students still have to observe the shape, count the parts, and fill in the correct values — the frame just provides the sentence structure for expressing what they know. Research on supporting academic language in math consistently points to explicit vocabulary instruction as one of the most effective strategies, especially for students who are still developing English proficiency.

We practiced saying the sentence frames through choral responses.

Describing Fractions with Sentence Frames: Hands-On Practice

After students had a decent grasp of the sentence frames, we practiced partitioning shapes into equal amounts.

We started with precut shapes and folding.  As we folded the shape and labeled it, we also use the sentence frames to describe it.  Since we were working on two skills here, partitioning and using the sentence frames, I didn’t have students take it to writing yet.  I really wanted them to get the idea of partitioning fractions and describing them.

Fill in Sentence Frames

The next day, students partitioned their own shapes.  We started all together on chart paper.  Again, using the chart paper with the sentence frames, we discussed how I was partitioning and shading in the shapes.

Students went back to their desks and, using their math notebooks, drew a large shape, partitioned it, and described it using the sentence frames.  I gave students the sentence fames so that they wouldn’t get bogged down with the writing.

Students had to draw one circle and one rectangle, although they were able to choose how they partitioned the shape (within halves, thirds, or fourths) and choose how to shade in the shape.  This last student needed a little help describing her shape, but you can see how the drawing alongside the sentence frames helped her understand the concept.

Fraction Go Fish Game

Another game my students have been playing a lot lately to practice fraction terminology is Fraction Go Fish.  This has been a beloved game in my classroom.  Who doesn’t love a good game of Go Fish?

Fraction sentence frames are one of those strategies that work across the board — for students who are working ahead, for students who are struggling, and especially for students who understand the math but need the language to show it. The sequence here (building vocabulary first, introducing frames, practicing with hands-on materials, then moving to independent writing) transfers to other math topics, too. Once students know how to use a sentence frame, they carry that skill into every new unit.

Do you use sentence frames in your classroom? I’d love to hear how you use them to help students understand and express their mathematical thinking.

Do you use sentence frames in your classroom?  How do you use them to help your students understand and use academic language?