Comparing Fractional Parts 

The seventh grade class is larger than the sixth grade class.  The eighth grade class is smaller than the sixth grade class.  Because they are different sizes, each class picked a different goal for its fundraiser. 

The teachers decided to help the students with the fundraiser.  The teachers sold books for summer reading and set a goal of $360.  Each group made a thermometer to show its progress.  The thermometers on the next page show the goals and results for each group after ten days.

Using these thermometers, answer the following questions with your partner: 

1.  What fraction of their goal did each class and the teachers reach after day 10 of the fundraiser?

6^th grade:  _________________                8^th grade:  ____________________

7^th grade:  _________________                 Teachers: ____________________

2.  How much money did each group raise? 

6^th grade:  _________________                8^th grade:  ____________________

7^th grade:  _________________                 Teachers: ____________________

3.  Write number sentences to show how you found your answers in question 2.

6^th grade:  _____________________                8^th grade:  ____________________

7^th grade:  _____________________                 Teachers: ____________________

4.  The shaded part of the sixth grade thermometer is the same length as the shaded part of the teachers’ thermometer.  Does that mean they each reached the same fraction of their goal?     Explain.

5.  Sally noticed that the one half mark on the sixth grade thermometer lines up with the eighth grade’s progress on Day 10.  Does this mean that the eighth graders have achieved half of their goal on Day 10?  Explain.