Finding halves and quarters (age 5+)
Recognise, find, and name a quarter as one of four equal parts of an object, shape, or quantity, and use halves and quarters to share leftovers fairly with 2 or 4 sharers (e.g. 5 crackers between 2; 5 or 6 crackers among 4), seeing that two quarters of the same whole make a half
Lesson
Set out your lesson
“A quarter is one of four equal parts. First make two equal halves, then fold again so you get four matching pieces. With objects, share into four equal groups.”
Bring to the table
- Square paper for folding into fourths
- 12 large counters or blocks
- A half-only fold from the previous lesson if available
Extra for the adult
Worked example. Square folded into four matching pieces → each piece is a quarter. 12 counters in groups of 3 → quarter of 12 is 3.
Optional challenge. Find a quarter of 8 and explain whether two quarters are the same as one half.
What to notice. Save a photo of the four-part fold and four groups of 3, or a parent note: “quarter of 12 = 3.”
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Teaching approaches
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1 approach
A quarter is one of four equal parts. First make two equal halves, then fold again so you get four matching pieces. With objects, share into four equal groups.
Spend about 10–15 minutes folding a square into four equal parts and sharing 12 objects into four equal groups.
Family records and proof options
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Save photos, notes, and attendance. Export a proof packet for compliance or portfolio reviews.
Learning resources
Extra practice links — they do not replace Gakuva’s teaching approach.
Toy Theater · Practice link — not the full lesson
Fraction Bars
Before you open · source notes
Adult-guided fraction bars for showing halves and quarters of one whole. Keep to 1/2 and 1/4 shading for this concept.
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Before you openSave screenshots of one whole split into halves and into quarters, plus a parent note naming which shows half/quarter.
Opening this link does not save learning or assess mastery.
Source, access and review notes
Unknown — link only
Visnos · Practice link — not the full lesson
Fraction Wall
Before you open · source notes
Interactive fraction wall for comparing half and quarter rows to one whole. Stay on simple unit fractions for age 5–6.
Free · no login · no ads observed
Before you openSave a wall screenshot highlighting 1/2 and 1/4 and a parent note that two quarters make one half.
Opening this link does not save learning or assess mastery.
Source, access and review notes
Unknown — link only
Check understanding
- Fold a shape into four equal parts, identify each as 'a quarter', and say whether another shape has been divided into quarters (four equal parts)
- Find a quarter of 12 objects by sharing into 4 equal groups
- Use drawings to share 5 crackers between 2 friends (each gets 2 and a half), 5 crackers among 4 friends (each gets 1 and a quarter) and 6 crackers among 4 friends (cut the 2 leftovers so each gets 1 and a half), and show that two quarters of a cracker make a half
“If you fold a square into four equal parts, can your child say each part is a quarter — and when 5 crackers are shared among 4 friends, show how to cut the last one so everyone gets the same?”
Curriculum record
- Type
- Conceptual
- Subject
- Mathematics
- Domain
- Fractions
- Age range
- Ages 5–8
Standards