Mathematics · Year 1

Active learning ideas

Introduction to Fractions: Halves of Shapes

Active learning lets children feel, fold, and compare halves with their own hands, which builds a strong foundation for fraction concepts. When pupils manipulate real materials, they move from vague ideas to clear visual memories of equal parts.

• National Curriculum Attainment Targets
• KS1: Mathematics - Fractions

• 20–35 min
• Pairs → Whole Class
• 4 activities

Activity 01

• Experiential Learning
• 20 min · Pairs

Paper Folding: Finding Halves

Give pupils squares, circles, and rectangles. Instruct them to fold each shape to create two equal halves, then unfold and describe the fold line. Pairs compare folds and explain why they work. Display successful examples for whole-class review.

Explain how we can cut a pizza into two equal halves?

Facilitation Tip

During Paper Folding: Finding Halves, remind children to fold along a straight line and check that the two parts overlap perfectly before calling them halves.

What to look for

Give each student a card with three shapes. One shape is whole, one is divided into two unequal parts, and one is divided into two equal halves. Ask students to circle the shape that shows two halves and write one word explaining why the other divided shape is not halves.

• Apply
• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Self-Awareness
• Self-Management
• Social Awareness

Activity 02

• Experiential Learning
• 30 min · Small Groups

Playdough Partition: Equal Shares

Pupils roll playdough into shapes like pizzas or cakes. They cut each into two halves and test equality by placing pieces together. Groups swap shapes to check others' work and suggest improvements. Clean up reinforces sharing.

Differentiate between a whole shape and a half shape.

Facilitation Tip

During Playdough Partition: Equal Shares, ask pupils to cut once only and then reassemble the pieces to confirm they match exactly.

What to look for

Hold up a shape divided into two equal parts. Ask: 'Is this shape divided into two halves?' Then, hold up a shape divided unequally. Ask: 'Are these two halves? How do you know?' Observe student responses and listen for reasoning about equal size.

• Apply
• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Self-Awareness
• Self-Management
• Social Awareness

Activity 03

• Experiential Learning
• 25 min · Pairs

Shape Halves Hunt: Matching Game

Prepare cards with wholes and matching halves. Pupils work individually to pair them, then in pairs justify matches by overlaying pieces. Extend by drawing their own halves for peers to match.

Construct a way to show a half of a square.

Facilitation Tip

During Shape Halves Hunt: Matching Game, circulate with a folded reference shape so students can overlay their matches for quick verification.

What to look for

Present a large paper circle. Ask students: 'How can we fold this circle so that we have two equal halves?' Encourage students to share their ideas and demonstrate their folding. Discuss why some folds create halves and others do not.

• Apply
• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Self-Awareness
• Self-Management
• Social Awareness

Activity 04

• Experiential Learning
• 35 min · Whole Class

Pizza Slice Challenge: Whole Class Demo

Draw large pizzas on paper. Demonstrate cuts, some equal and some not. Pupils vote and explain choices, then try their own cuts on mini-pizzas. Discuss fair sharing rules as a group.

Explain how we can cut a pizza into two equal halves?

Facilitation Tip

During Pizza Slice Challenge: Whole Class Demo, invite two volunteers to hold opposite slices so the class sees how halves mirror each other.

What to look for

Give each student a card with three shapes. One shape is whole, one is divided into two unequal parts, and one is divided into two equal halves. Ask students to circle the shape that shows two halves and write one word explaining why the other divided shape is not halves.

• Apply
• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Self-Awareness
• Self-Management
• Social Awareness

A few notes on teaching this unit

Teachers approach halves by prioritizing physical accuracy over visual estimates, because young learners often overestimate equality. Use guided questions such as, ‘Does one piece fit exactly on top of the other?’ and ‘Can you turn the half and place it back without gaps?’ to steer thinking. Keep the language simple and consistent, always pairing ‘half’ with ‘two equal parts of the same shape.’ Avoid rushing to the abstract symbol; let concrete experience build the concept first.

By the end of these activities, pupils will confidently identify and create halves of common shapes, explaining why two parts must match exactly in size and shape. You should hear children use words like ‘same size,’ ‘fits back,’ and ‘equal’ when they justify their work.

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Watch Out for These Misconceptions

• During Paper Folding: Finding Halves, watch for pupils who assume any fold through the middle makes halves.

  Have them unfold, refold, and slide one half over the other to see if edges and corners match exactly; guide them to adjust the fold line until perfect overlap occurs.

• During Playdough Partition: Equal Shares, watch for pupils who cut once but accept unequal lumps as halves.

  Ask them to press the two pieces back together; if gaps or overlaps appear, model cutting again with a single straight cut through the center.

• During Shape Halves Hunt: Matching Game, watch for pupils who pair parts of different shapes and call them halves because the areas look similar.

  Prompt them to overlay cut-out pieces on the original shape; when parts do not fit back perfectly, guide them to find the matching congruent partner.

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Methods used in this brief

• Experiential Learning