1
Sharing fairly
Learner’s Book 1: Unit 3, pp. 48–49
GoalSay that a fraction is a part of a whole, and that sharing fairly between two means a half each.
New words
whole · all of something, not cutpart · a piece of a wholefraction · a part of a wholehalf · one of two equal parts
Explanation
A whole is a thing that has not been cut, like a whole cookie or a whole pizza. When we cut a whole, each piece is a part. A fraction is a part of a whole. We use fractions to share fairly. If two friends share one cookie, we cut it into 2 parts that are the same size. Each friend gets a half. Some things come in twos, like socks or gloves. One of the two is half of the pair.
Worked examples
Mia and Leo share a bar of chocolate. It is cut into 2 parts that are the same size. Each child gets one half.
A pair of socks has 2 socks. One sock is half of the pair.
Class activity
Fair-sharing play: roll a ball of play dough, or use a banana. Cut it into 2 parts and share it with a friend. Are the two parts the same size? If not, try again until it is fair. Then say together: ‘We each have a half.’
Practice
1
Ali and Sara share one apple fairly. Into how many parts do they cut it?
2 parts that are the same size. Each child gets a half.
2
How many parts is this bar cut into?
2
3
One mitten is half of what?
A pair of mittens.
4
Is a fraction a whole thing, or a part of a whole?
A part of a whole.