First Grade Math Activities – Partitioning Fractions

 

Welcome to the second post in the Breaking Down the Standards Series. In this post we’re diving into Fractions. When it’s time to teach first grade fractions, your students will be in new territory. Knowing the standards will be helpful to effectively plan and teach them to partition shapes into equal parts. 

To see the First Grade Fractions Standards for the Common Core and the TEKS, click the image above.

 

Vertical Alignment is so important when planning your lessons.  You need to know what your students should already know and what they should know when their first grade years is over.  Vertical alignment looks at the Kindergarten Standards as well as the Second Grade Standards.  It sets you and your students up for SUCCESS! Click the image above to see the Vertical Alignment.

 

3. The Breakdown: First Grade Fractions – Partitioning Shapes into Equal Parts

Although the TEKS and Common Core Standards differ slightly, it is clear that partitioning into equal parts is the first step in the developmental process to learning fractions. Note that the term FRACTIONS is never mentioned in either of the standards in first grade.  

While the Common Core Standard is specific about using circles and rectangles, (this includes squares, since a square is a special rectangle) the TEKS simply choose to use 2 dimensional figures. Both the TEKS and the Common Core focus on Halves and Fourths, but the Common Core adds the term Quarter as a synonym for Fourths. The Common Core Standard goes one step further by stating that the child should understand that decomposing into more equal shares creates smaller shares. This step is important because it lays the foundation for understanding fractions. TEKS students can’t go wrong having this in their learning objectives.

Final Thoughts

The TEKS ask that students identify EXAMPLES and NON-EXAMPLES of halves and fourths. This opens the door to exposure to the other fractional parts such as thirds, fifths, etc.  It also allows students to choose between models with equal parts and unequal parts. This is good news since this is a big part of the focus for this standard.  It is perfectly fine for Common Core students to have this same exposure.

Note that parts of a set is not covered at all. I would only introduce this concept if the student has shown mastery of the above stated standard which is only parts of a whole shape.

Students also must know:  

• 2 dimensional figures (TEKS: Circle, Triangle, Rectangle and Square)
• Circles, Rectangle, and Squares (Common Core)

It is my opinion that there would be no harm in first grade Common Core students partitioning triangles into equal parts. The fourths are a bit tricky, but it opens up their mind to new ways of thinking.

Because of the objectives outlined in the standards, I recommend the following progression: 

• Partitioning Shapes into Equal / Fair Shares
• EQUAL and UNEQUAL PARTS
• One WHOLE
• HALVES of a Whole
• FOURTHS of a Whole
• QUARTERS of a Whole
• Pictures with FRACTIONS using numbers (only if you feel comfortable) 

When possible, use real life objects to share and show equal parts of a whole. 

4. The Teach: Let’s start at the beginning

What does Partitioning mean? When we partition a whole shape, we break it up into equal or fair shares. These Fair and Unfair cards allow student to see examples and non-examples of equal shares.

 

Fair or Unfair?

Click on the image to grab these FREE Discussion Cards.

 

Halves and Fourths Display Cards 

Click on the image to grab this freebie

 

This set of cards is used to show circles, squares and rectangles partitioned into halves and fourths. It is great for the whole group introduction or to use in small group for students that need to see it again up close.

The Mini-lesson for First Grade Fractions

After you’ve shown your students circles, rectangles and squares partitioned into halves and fourths, you may want to have them sort shapes into Halves, Fourths/Quarters and Whole Shapes. This is an easy activity that does just that.

 

Sorting Activities for Wholes, Halves and Fourths Interactive Anchor Chart

Click on the image to grab this free activity.

 

As part of your mini-lesson, allow your students to sort circles, squares and rectangles that are partitioned into halves and fourths, and whole shapes are also included. 

Now it’s their turn:  Hands on Partitioning

In addition to sorting shapes, you’ll want your students to have some hands on partitioning. In this activity, the students will be given a set of shapes to partition and sort. Click on the image to grab this FREE partitioning activity.

5. First Grade Fractions – The Practice: Identify Halves and Fourths using Circles, Squares, Rectangles and Triangles

Because some teachers like to go above the standard, I’ve included an optional sheet using fractions represented with numbers. Exposure to this after mastery of the original skill is acceptable. Click the image below to grab these great freebies!

 

6. First Grade Fractions – The Small Group Instruction: 
Above all, your students need to obtain an understanding of the objectives outlined in the standards. To do that, you’ll want to work with students individually or in small groups so you can be assured that they are mastering the skills.  

Here are some ideas for your small group:

• Give 2 students a shape (without partitioning lines) and ask them to share it fairly. Ask how many parts each got (2). Name the parts (one out of two or one half).
• Give 4 students a shape (without partitioning lines) and ask them to share it fairly. Ask how many parts each got (4). Name the parts (one out of four, one fourth or one quarter).
• Show students a partitioned shape and ask them to tell you the fraction (one half or one fourth).
• Give students a shape and ask them to fold it into either halves or fourths

 

Other FUN ways to practice:

7. First Grade Fractions: The Learning Centers 

Kids can “Share a Pizza” while Partitioning Halves & Fourths in this fun learning center

Because partitioning can be a fun hands-on learning experience, I’ve included this activity that allows students to “SHARE A PIZZA” together. In this activity, students are asked to cut the pizza into equal shares (2 for two people sharing and 4 for four people sharing). Next, they’ll name the parts of the partitioned shape (one half or one fourth/quarter). Finally, they are asked to name other parts of the shape (two fourths, three fourths, etc.). The activity is meant to help children understand fractional parts of a whole.

Click on the image to grab this Free resource.

As a result of the digital learning craze, I’ve learned to love Boom Cards. They are interactive, self-checking and paperless and have become a go-to for many teachers for distance learning. Kids love using Boom Cards to practice skills. They’re also so easy to assign! Read my blog post here. 

My friend Carol @ The Chocolate Teacher created this fun resource.

 

 

Online Games

Great for distance learning activities!

• Splashlearn Equal Shares 
• Splashlearn Partitioning Shapes:  Halves & Fourths

8. In Conclusion:

Because this is an introduction to this skill, the standards were chosen carefully. This is a hard concept for young learners. Halves and Fourths were chosen because shapes are easily folded to create equal parts. Once kids grasp the terminology of halves and fourths, it will be easier for them to understand all other fractions. 

 

Don’t forget to pin the image below to your Teaching Resources Pinterest board for future use.

Click on the link below to sign up for notifications of new posts from the Breaking Down the Standards Series AND grab a Free Understanding Fractions Activity! This freebie focuses on Decomposing into more equal shares creates smaller shares. This helps kids understand that the greater the number of shares, the smaller the piece. 

Read Post 1:  Breaking Down the Standards – Telling Time to the Hour & Half Hour

 

Thank you for stopping by!
~ Carrie Lutz