In Year 1, fractions begin with halves and quarters. Children learn that a fraction is an equal part of a whole shape or a group of objects.
What your child will learn
- Recognise a half as one of two equal parts
- Recognise a quarter as one of four equal parts
- Find half and a quarter of a shape
- Find half and a quarter of a small number of objects
Equal parts are the key
A shape cut into two pieces is only cut in half if the pieces are the same size. Fraction Island uses pizzas and chocolate bars split into equal parts so children see what a real half or quarter looks like.
Halves and quarters of amounts
Finding half of 8 means sharing 8 into two equal groups. Finding a quarter means sharing into four equal groups. This links fractions directly to sharing and division.
Example questions
Here are a few questions like the ones in the first quest. Can you solve them?
1. True or false? One third of this shape is shaded.
Show answer
Answer: False. The shape is split into 2 equal parts and 1 is shaded, so 1/2 (one half) is shaded.
2. What fraction of the shape is shaded?
Show answer
Answer: 1/2. The shape is split into 2 equal parts and 1 is shaded, so 1/2 (one half) is shaded.
3. What is half of 6?
Show answer
Answer: 3. Share 6 into 2 equal groups: 6 ÷ 2 = 3. So half of 6 is 3.
Tips for grown-ups
- Cut sandwiches, pizzas or pancakes into halves and quarters together.
- Fold paper shapes in half and in quarters.
- Share 8 raisins into two or four equal piles.