Draw a thinking map. For fractions, either a circle map or a tree map could be useful. For a circle map, draw a circle. For a tree map, draw a horizontal line with short, vertical lines on it -- a number line is a type of tree map.
Divide the circle into fourths. If using a tree map, write the target fractions in order from least to greatest -- left to right -- with one fraction at each vertical line.
Write the target fraction in the center of the circle map, with a smaller circle around it. Have students name any additional fractions that are the same and list those in the upper left portion of the circle. When using a tree map, write equivalent fractions below others with the same value.
Continue to identify equivalent fractions and write them below, if using a tree map. This completes the tree map.
On the circle map, draw the area of a fraction in the portion across from the fraction. In this quarter, a square might be drawn with 1 of 4 spaces shaded to represent the concept of 1/4. This would be the same, even if students identify 3/12 as a target in the initial portion of the circle.
In the next portion of the circle -- moving in a clockwise direction -- draw a small number line 0 to 1 and note the location of the fraction on that continuum.
In the final portion of the circle, draw a representation of the fraction as a set. This completes the circle map.