Mathematics · Year 1 · Multiplicative Thinking and Data · Summer Term

Introduction to Fractions: Quarters of Quantities

Understanding quarters of quantities and finding a quarter of a group of objects.

• National Curriculum Attainment Targets
• KS1: Mathematics - Fractions

About This Topic

Year 1 students meet quarters by dividing small quantities into four equal parts. They find a quarter of objects like 8 cubes by sharing them equally into four piles or sections, then recognise one pile as the quarter. This work links to prior halving experiences and answers key questions: how to partition 8 objects into quarters, why a quarter differs from a half, and how many quarter groups fit into a whole.

In the Multiplicative Thinking and Data unit during Summer Term, quarters support early fraction sense and prepare for data handling, such as quartering class survey tallies. Students explain methods verbally, compare quarter and half sizes visually, and predict groupings, aligning with KS1 Mathematics standards on fractions. These steps build precise language and logical reasoning from concrete experiences.

Active learning excels with this topic through hands-on sharing of real objects. Children gain deep understanding when they physically deal counters or fruit into equal quarters during partner tasks, as it reveals equality intuitively and corrects errors through trial and peer feedback. Collaborative prediction games further cement proportional thinking.

Key Questions

1. Explain how to find a quarter of a group of 8 objects.
2. Compare finding a half with finding a quarter of a quantity.
3. Predict how many groups you would make if you were finding a quarter.

Learning Objectives

• Identify one quarter of a given quantity by partitioning objects into four equal groups.
• Compare the size of one quarter to one half of a quantity using concrete objects.
• Explain the process of finding a quarter of a quantity by sharing into four equal groups.
• Calculate the number of objects in one quarter of a group of up to 12 items.

Before You Start

Introduction to Halves

Why: Students need to understand the concept of dividing a quantity into two equal parts before moving to four equal parts.

Counting and Cardinality

Why: Students must be able to accurately count objects and understand the concept of 'how many' to form equal groups.

Key Vocabulary

Quarter	One of four equal parts of a whole or a quantity. It is written as 1/4.
Equal parts	Groups or sections that have the same number of items or the same amount.
Share	To divide a quantity among a number of groups or people fairly, ensuring each receives the same amount.
Group	A collection of objects. When finding a quarter, we make four equal groups.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Quarters do not have to be equal in size.

What to Teach Instead

Equal sharing activities, like dealing objects round-robin style, show fairness requires matching groups. Peer checks during group work help students spot and adjust unequal piles, building the habit of verifying equality.

Common Misconception

You can only find a quarter of 4 objects.

What to Teach Instead

Prediction tasks with multiples like 8 or 12 reveal any quantity divisible by 4 works. Hands-on trials with varied sets during stations let students discover patterns through doing, not memorising.

Common Misconception

A quarter is the same size as a half.

What to Teach Instead

Visual comparisons using the same objects halved then quartered clarify relative sizes. Partner discussions after sharing tasks reinforce that two quarters make a half, correcting size confusion through evidence.

Active Learning Ideas

Pairs: Share the Counters

Give each pair 12 counters and four paper plates. Ask them to deal one counter per plate until none remain, forming four equal groups. Identify one group as a quarter, then discuss and record how many that quarter holds. Pairs repeat with 8 counters.

20 min·Pairs

Small Groups: Quarter Hunt Stations

Set up three stations with objects: 16 buttons, 20 sticks, 12 blocks. Groups partition each into four equal shares at one station before rotating every 7 minutes. At the end, groups share one quarter example per station with the class.

30 min·Small Groups

Whole Class: Fruit Fraction Share

Display 8 apples on the board or real fruit. Model dividing into four equal groups. Students chorally predict and confirm quarter size, then draw their own 8-object set quartered. Discuss comparisons to halves.

25 min·Whole Class

Individual: Fold and Shade Quarters

Provide square paper and crayons. Students fold into four equal parts, shade one quarter, and label. Extend by drawing circles or rectangles quartered. Collect to review equal partitioning.

15 min·Individual

Real-World Connections

• When baking, a recipe might call for a quarter of an ingredient, like a quarter cup of sugar. Bakers must accurately measure to ensure the correct proportions.
• In sports, a coach might divide a team of 8 players into four equal groups for drills. Each group would have two players, representing a quarter of the team.

Assessment Ideas

Exit Ticket

Give each student 8 counters. Ask them to draw 4 circles on a piece of paper and share the counters equally into the circles. Then, ask them to circle one group and write how many counters are in that quarter.

Discussion Prompt

Present students with a picture of 4 cookies and a picture of 8 cookies. Ask: 'If you wanted to share these cookies equally with 3 friends, so there are 4 people in total, how many cookies would each person get from the group of 8? How is this different from sharing the group of 4 cookies?'

Quick Check

Hold up a collection of 4 identical objects. Ask students to show with their fingers how many objects would be in one quarter of the collection. Repeat with 12 objects.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you explain finding a quarter of 8 objects?

Start with concrete objects like 8 pencils. Deal one to each of four children or sections in turn until all are shared equally. Each receives 2, so one share is the quarter. Use drawings or number lines next: circle 8 dots, partition into four groups of 2. Verbal practice solidifies: 'Four equal groups of 2 make the whole.' (62 words)

What is the difference between a half and a quarter?

A half divides a quantity into two equal parts; a quarter into four. For 8 objects, half is 4, quarter is 2. Show by halving first (two piles of 4), then quartering each half (four piles of 2). Visuals like folded paper or shared sweets highlight that two quarters equal one half, building proportional understanding. (68 words)

How does active learning benefit teaching quarters?

Active tasks with manipulatives let Year 1 children physically partition objects, making equality tangible and memorable. Pair sharing corrects errors in real time through talk, while stations build fluency across quantities. Whole-class demos followed by individual practice ensures all grasp concepts kinesthetically, boosting confidence and retention over worksheets alone. (64 words)

What activities help predict quarter groups?

Use counting forwards: for 12 objects, predict 3 per group since 12 divided by 4 is 3. Games like 'Quarter Guess' with hidden objects prompt estimates before revealing. Small group trials with 4, 8, 12 items pattern-spot: always divide total by 4. Record predictions versus results to refine accuracy. (65 words)