All Activities
Maths

Sharing into Two Equal Parts

Overview

Children explore what it means to share something fairly between two people.

Learning Objective
Children understand that half means two equal parts.

Resources needed

  • Paper
  • Fruit
  • Clay or soft material

Lesson stages

0 / 7 done
  1. 1 Tell a simple story: 'Sam and Amina want to share this.'
  2. 2 Show one item and ask: 'How can we share it fairly?'
  3. 3 Cut or break the item into two parts.
  4. 4 Ask: 'Are these the same size? How can we check?'
  5. 5 Let children try sharing different objects.
  6. 6 Compare results and discuss which are fair and which are not.
  7. 7 Encourage children to explain their thinking.

Tap a step to mark it as done.

Variations

  • Share groups of objects (e.g. 6 stones between 2 people)
  • Fold paper to find equal halves
  • Try incorrect examples and discuss why they are unfair
More information

Use the word 'fair' consistently. Act out the story with two children to make meaning visible.

Use physical objects children can handle and place side by side to compare.

Can children explain what 'equal' means? Do they check by matching or counting?

Tear paper or break a stick in two. Use seeds, stones, or any countable objects. No printed materials required.

Children often think two parts are equal if they look roughly the same, without checking. They may also think that 'half' just means 'some' rather than specifically two equal parts.

Activity details
Early Years Easy 15–20 minutes 5 minutes prep Pairs, Small Group, Whole Class Indoor & Outdoor
Topics
Halving Sharing