Lesson 8.2 Fair Shares, Halves and Fourths

Steps

1. Warm-up

   Do this: Ask these out loud. Your child answers out loud; no paper needed.

   • Ask: “2 + 4” Listen for: 6
   • Ask: “7 + 7” Listen for: 14
   • Ask: “7 + 3” Listen for: 10
   • Ask: “3 + 9” Listen for: 12
   • Ask: “3 + 5” Listen for: 8
2. Teach the new idea

   Say this: “Sharing fairly means everyone gets the same. Deal the things out one at a time, like cards, until they are gone.”

   Say this: “Halves are 2 equal parts; fourths are 4 equal parts. The parts must be the same size. More parts means smaller parts.”

   Say this: “Fair share: everyone gets the same amount.”

   Say this: “Half: one of 2 equal parts.”

   Say this: “Fourth: one of 4 equal parts.”

3. Show how

   Show: This shape is cut into equal parts. What are the parts called?

   

   Say this: “Count the equal parts: 3.”

   Say this: “3 equal parts are called thirds.”

   Answer: thirds

   Show: What fraction of the shape is shaded?

   

   Say this: “The whole has 2 equal parts.”

   Say this: “1 part is shaded.”

   Say this: “So \tfrac{1}{2} is shaded.”

   Answer: \tfrac{1}{2}

4. Practice together

   Do this: Your child does these with you. Let them try first; help only after a real try.

   Ask: Share 6 carrots fairly among 3 friends. Each friend gets the same number. How many does each friend get?

   Listen for: 2 carrots each

   If stuck: Deal them out one at a time, around and around, until they are all gone.

   Ask: Share 12 grapes fairly among 4 friends. Each friend gets the same number. How many does each friend get?

   Listen for: 3 grapes each

   If stuck: Deal them out one at a time, around and around, until they are all gone.

   Ask: Share 8 grapes fairly among 2 friends. Each friend gets the same number. How many does each friend get?

   Listen for: 4 grapes each

   If stuck: Deal them out one at a time, around and around, until they are all gone.

   7 more practice items on the lesson page, and on Worksheet A and Worksheet B.

5. Watch for
   • Calling unequal parts halves.
6. Game: Coin Grab

   Grab a small handful of coins. Sort, count from the coin worth the most, and say the total. Highest total wins the round.

7. Narration

   Say this: “Tell me what you learned today. Show me with your hands or the counters if you like.”

   Listen for: Share a group fairly.; Split shapes into halves and fourths.

8. Daily habit

   Count by fives and tens to 100, then mixed: 10, 20, 25, 30 (as when counting dimes and nickels).

Spread over the week

5 sessions of 20–25 minutes. Stop while it is still going well.

1. Session 1. Warm-up, then teach the new idea (steps 1 and 2).
2. Session 2. Warm-up again, then show how with the examples.
3. Session 3. Practice together, then play the game.
4. Session 4. More practice on the worksheet, and the daily habit.
5. Session 5. Quick check: narration and a few practice items. Move on when it is mostly right.