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Maths

Fair Sharing Story

Overview

A simple story helps children explore how to share fairly.

Learning Objective
Children learn to share objects equally and talk about fairness.

Resources needed

  • Small objects (stones, beans, bottle caps)
  • Optional toy figures

Lesson stages

0 / 7 done
  1. 1 Tell a story: 'Alex, Sam, and Amina want to share these objects.'
  2. 2 Give children a set number of objects (e.g. 12).
  3. 3 Ask them to share the objects equally between the characters.
  4. 4 Check together: 'Does everyone have the same?'
  5. 5 If not, adjust until it is fair.
  6. 6 Try a number that does not divide equally and discuss what to do.
  7. 7 Ask children to explain their thinking.

Tap a step to mark it as done.

Variations

  • Add more characters
  • Change the number of objects
  • Let children create their own stories
More information

Use names familiar to children in your community. Act out the story with real children as characters.

Reduce the number of objects and characters for children who need more support.

Do children distribute one at a time or in groups? Can they explain what to do with leftovers?

Any small countable objects work — seeds, pebbles, dried beans. Characters in the story can simply be named children in the class.

Children may think sharing is fair if one person is happy with their amount, rather than checking the groups are equal in number. They also sometimes think leftover objects must be forced into a group even when they don't fit.

Activity details
Early Years Medium 15–20 minutes No prep Small Group, Whole Class Indoor & Outdoor
Topics
Sharing Problem Solving