Mathematics · Year 1

Active learning ideas

Introduction to Fractions: Quarters of Shapes

Active learning works for quarters of shapes because young students need to physically interact with materials to grasp abstract equal-part relationships. Hands-on folding and cutting create immediate visual feedback, helping children correct their own partitioning errors and build confidence in their spatial reasoning.

• National Curriculum Attainment Targets
• KS1: Mathematics - Fractions

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

Activity 01

• Stations Rotation
• 35 min · Small Groups

Stations Rotation: Quarter Folding Stations

Prepare stations with paper circles, squares, and rectangles. Students fold each shape into quarters, check equality by overlaying parts, and label them. Rotate groups every 7 minutes, then share one method per group with the class.

Explain the difference between a half and a quarter of a shape.

Facilitation Tip

At the Quarter Folding Stations, circulate with a transparency overlay to check each student’s fold lines for accuracy before they proceed to the next shape.

What to look for

Give each student a card with a shape drawn on it. Some shapes should be divided into four equal quarters, others into unequal parts or fewer/more than four parts. Ask students to circle the shapes that show quarters and write one sentence explaining their choice.

• Remember
• Understand
• Apply
• Analyze
• Self-Management
• Relationship Skills

Activity 02

• Experiential Learning
• 25 min · Pairs

Playdough Partitioning: Equal Quarters

Give each pair playdough and shape cutters. Roll flat, cut into four, then adjust until parts match exactly by stacking. Discuss why changes were needed and draw results on mini-whiteboards.

Construct a way to show a quarter of a circle.

Facilitation Tip

During Playdough Partitioning, ask students to press a ruler along their cuts to verify that all four pieces lift cleanly and match in weight.

What to look for

Show students two shapes: one divided into four equal quarters and another divided into four unequal parts. Ask: 'Which shape is divided into quarters? How do you know? What is the difference between these two shapes?'

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

Activity 03

• Experiential Learning
• 30 min · Whole Class

Shape Sharing Circle: Whole Class Demo

Display a large shape on the floor. Students suggest ways to divide into quarters using string or chalk, vote on best method, then verify by comparing parts. Record class findings on a chart.

Analyze why all four parts must be equal to be called quarters.

Facilitation Tip

In the Shape Sharing Circle, deliberately fold one paper shape incorrectly to prompt students to identify and articulate the error in groups.

What to look for

Provide students with paper circles. Ask them to fold their circle to show one quarter. Observe their folding technique and ask them to explain how they know they have made a quarter.

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

Activity 04

• Experiential Learning
• 20 min · Individual

Individual Matching: Quarter Puzzles

Provide printed shapes pre-cut into quarters, some equal, some not. Students sort into 'quarter sets' or 'not quarters,' explain choices to a partner, then create their own puzzle.

Explain the difference between a half and a quarter of a shape.

Facilitation Tip

For Individual Matching Quarter Puzzles, provide a reference strip that shows a quarter marked on the side of their page to guide their cutting.

What to look for

Give each student a card with a shape drawn on it. Some shapes should be divided into four equal quarters, others into unequal parts or fewer/more than four parts. Ask students to circle the shapes that show quarters and write one sentence explaining their choice.

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

A few notes on teaching this unit

Start with real-world connections, like cutting a sandwich into quarters for sharing, to anchor the concept in lived experience. Avoid premature symbolic notation; let students describe quarters in their own words first. Research shows that blending folding (manipulating halves) with cutting (producing quarters) accelerates the shift from additive to multiplicative thinking. Stay alert to the tendency to over-emphasize rectangles, and rotate triangle and circle tasks early to prevent shape bias.

Students will confidently partition shapes into four equal quarters and explain why parts must match in size and shape. They will compare quarters to halves and recognize quarters in both straight-edged and curved shapes without relying on counting alone.

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Watch Out for These Misconceptions

• During Quarter Folding Stations, students often divide shapes unevenly and call them quarters.

  Ask each pair to place their folded quarters on a light box and overlap identical shapes to reveal any gaps or overlaps. Prompt them to re-fold until all edges align perfectly before labeling the parts.

• During Playdough Partitioning, children may avoid circles or triangles, thinking quarters need straight lines.

  Provide a set of curved and straight-edged cutters, and ask students to choose any shape to divide. After cutting, have them trace each part on paper and compare the outlines to see that quarters can be curved or angular.

• During Individual Matching Quarter Puzzles, some confuse quarters with smaller divisions like eighths.

  Ask students to set aside three puzzle pieces and check the remaining piece’s size against their reference strip. If it’s smaller than a quarter, they must trim it until it matches the strip exactly.

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Methods used in this brief

• Stations Rotation
• Experiential Learning