Shading Fractions Worksheets

Using this page

Shapes split into equal parts: bars, circles and grids. Children either shade the fraction asked for or write the fraction that is shaded. The Common Core's Grade 3 standard describes a fraction a/b as a parts of size 1/b, and shading equal parts is how most children first meet that idea. Suits around Year 2 to Year 4 in Australia and Grade 3 in the US (Common Core 3.NF.A.1), but use whatever level fits the child.

Tips

• Draw a quick bar or circle when a question feels abstract; pictures make fraction rules make sense.
• Say fractions in words, such as 'three eighths', to keep the size of the parts in mind.
• Simplify answers at the end unless your class does it differently.
• Link fractions to money and time: a quarter of a dollar is 25 cents and a quarter of an hour is 15 minutes.

Worked example

Shade 3/4 of a circle cut into 4 equal parts. The bottom number, 4, says how many equal parts the whole has, and the top number, 3, says how many to shade. Colour any three parts. The one part left white is the remaining 1/4.

Common mistakes

Counting the unshaded parts as the denominator, so 3 shaded out of 4 becomes 3/1. The denominator is all the parts together.

Writing the fraction upside down, 4/3. The shaded parts go on top.

How to use this generator

Choose the options above the sheet: the number of questions and the settings for this kind of worksheet. Every change makes a new sheet straight away, and New worksheet gives a different set of questions with the same settings.

Each sheet has a worksheet number printed at the top. Type the same number later, or keep the page link, to print exactly the same questions and answer key again. Leave Answer key page ticked to print the answers on a second page, then press Print. Every printed page carries the makekite logo and web address.

Common questions

Does it matter which parts are shaded?
No. Any parts can be shaded as long as the number is right. The answer key shades them in order to make marking easy.

How are answers written in the key?
Fraction answers are given in simplest form, and answers greater than one are written as mixed numbers, such as 1 1/3.

Can I print the same worksheet again?
Yes. Note the worksheet number printed at the top, or keep the link in your browser's address bar, which ends with that number. Entering it later gives the same questions and answers.

Is it free?
Yes. There is no sign-up, and nothing you choose is sent anywhere: the sheets are made in your browser.