Parent guide · Grade 2 Math · Unit 8

Lesson 8.2 Equal Shares: Halves, Thirds, Fourths

Written for the parent. Read the Say this lines aloud as they are, or in your own words. Answers for you are marked Listen for.

At a glance

Time: 5 sessions of 20–25 minutes
Goal: Name halves, thirds and fourths. Find half or a third of a small group.
You need: A few real coins
Pencil and crayons
Print: Worksheet A · Worksheet B · the lesson page

Steps

Warm-up
Do this: Ask these out loud. Your child answers out loud; no paper needed.
- Ask: “6 + 9” Listen for: 15
- Ask: “9 + 6” Listen for: 15
- Ask: “6 + 5” Listen for: 11
- Ask: “8 + 7” Listen for: 15
- Ask: “9 + 9” Listen for: 18
Teach the new idea
Say this: “Equal shares are the same size. Three equal shares are thirds.”
Say this: “The more shares, the smaller each share.”
Say this: “A fraction can be part of a group, too: half of 8 apples is 4 apples, because 8 shared into 2 equal groups is 4 in each.”
Say this: “Third: one of 3 equal parts.”
Say this: “Half of a group: share the group into 2 equal parts and count one part.”
Show how
Show: What fraction of the shape is shaded?
$circle in 3 equal parts, 1 shaded$
Say this: “The whole has 3 equal parts.”
Say this: “1 part is shaded.”
Say this: “So \tfrac{1}{3} is shaded.”
Answer: \tfrac{1}{3}
Show: What is \tfrac{1}{2} of 8 eggs?
Say this: “Split 8 into 2 equal groups: 8 ÷ 2 = 4 in each group.”
Say this: “One group is 4.”
Answer: 4 eggs
Practice together
Do this: Your child does these with you. Let them try first; help only after a real try.
Ask: This shape is cut into equal parts. What are the parts called?
$circle in 4 equal parts, 0 shaded$
Listen for: fourths
If stuck: Count the equal parts: 4.
Ask: This shape is cut into equal parts. What are the parts called?
$bar in 2 equal parts, 0 shaded$
Listen for: halves
If stuck: Count the equal parts: 2.
Ask: This shape is cut into equal parts. What are the parts called?
$circle in 2 equal parts, 0 shaded$
Listen for: halves
If stuck: Count the equal parts: 2.
7 more practice items on the lesson page, and on Worksheet A and Worksheet B.
Watch for
- Counting unequal parts as thirds.
Game: Array Hunt
Find arrays at home (egg cartons, window panes, muffin tins). Your child writes the repeated addition and the total for each.
Narration
Say this: “Tell me what you learned today. Show me with your hands or the counters if you like.”
Listen for: Name halves, thirds and fourths.; Find half or a third of a small group.
Daily habit
Skip count by 2s, 3s, 5s and 10s. Say: “3 rows of 4 make 12.”

Spread over the week

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

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