KS1 Maths · Fractions and shape · Year 1
Halves and quarters
Share things fairly into 2 or 4 equal parts.
About 15 minutes
Step 1 · Wonder why it matters
Hook
Is it fair?
You and a friend share a pizza. You cut it in two, but one piece is huge and one is tiny. Is that fair?
No! To share fairly, the pieces must be the same size. Equal pieces have special names: halves and quarters.
Step 2 · See it
Picture
See the parts
Each bar is the same whole. The first is in one piece, the second is cut into 2 equal halves, and the third into 4 equal quarters.
Step 3 · Understand how it works
Logic
Equal parts
A half is one of 2 equal parts. We write it as ½.
A quarter is one of 4 equal parts. We write it as ¼.
Two quarters make the same amount as one half. Four quarters make one whole.
- Half
- One of 2 equal parts of something.
- Quarter
- One of 4 equal parts of something.
- Whole
- The complete thing before it is shared.
Worked example
What is half of 8 sweets?
- 1Make 2 groups.
- 2Give one sweet to each group in turn until none are left.
- 3Count one group.
Answer: Half of 8 is 4.
Step 4 · Have a go
Do
Have a go
Find a piece of paper and 12 small things to share.
- 1Fold the paper in half so the edges meet. Open it — are both parts the same size?
- 2Fold it in half again, then open it. How many equal parts are there now?
- 3Share the 12 things into 2 equal groups. How many in each? That is half of 12.
- 4Now share the 12 things into 4 equal groups. How many in each? That is a quarter of 12.
Step 5 · Remember it
Recall
Quick quiz
Choose the best answer.
0 of 4 answered
1.A half is one of how many equal parts?
2.What is half of 10?
3.How many quarters make one whole?
4.What is a quarter of 8?
Step 6 · Link it to your world
Reflect
Think about it
Sharing fairly is something we do all the time.
Tell us about a time you shared something into halves or quarters.
Saved to your notebook on this device only.
Finished all six steps?
Mark it complete to collect 3 stars. That's the last lesson in this course for now.