Understanding fractions can be quite difficult for some of our kids.  Number lines have always been effective tools to teach different operations like addition, subtraction and multiplication. These trusty lines also come in handy when understanding how to count, compose and compare fractions (just to name a few). Much like a ruler, a number line is a linear scale that’s divided into equal parts.  They are great tools because both whole numbers and fractions live on them. However, students often don't think of fractions as numbers, making it challenging for them to understand.  To support our students in understanding number lines and fractions, I’ve come up with 3 tips. Tip #1: Focus on the Distance NOT the Hash Marks In my experience, a lot of kids count the hash marks on a number line starting with 0, leading to major misconceptions. The example below shows how a student may incorrectly label points due to counting hash marks. St......