Understanding Halves

Lesson Overview

Subject: Mathematics
Year Group: Year 2
Topic: Recognising & Calculating ½ Fractions
Curriculum Area: National Curriculum for England – Year 2 Mathematics
Strand: Number – Fractions

Objective:
By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

• Recognise and identify half (½) of a shape, object, or quantity.
• Divide objects, numbers, and quantities into two equal parts.
• Apply their understanding to real-life contexts.

Duration: 45 minutes
Class Size: 26 students

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Lesson Structure

1. Starter Activity – Real-Life Halves (10 minutes)

Objective: Engage students by connecting fractions to real life.

• Teacher Questioning: "Have you ever shared a snack with someone? What happens if you share it fairly?"
• Show the class a whole piece of fruit (e.g., an apple or banana). Cut it in half and ask, "What have I just done?"
• Discuss fairness in sharing and introduce the idea of one-half (½).
• Show flashcards with objects split in half (pizza, sandwich, chocolate bar). Ask students to explain what they see.

Key Vocabulary: half, whole, equal, share, divide.

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2. Main Teaching – Understanding ½ (15 minutes)

Objective: Learners explore the meaning of half using visual and hands-on methods.

Step 1: Halves of Shapes (5 minutes)

• Display simple 2D shapes on the board (circle, square, rectangle).
• Demonstrate how a shape can be split into two equal parts.
• Question: "Does each part look the same? Why is this important?"

Step 2: Halves of Objects (5 minutes)

• Hand out sheets of paper and ask students to fold them carefully into two equal halves.
• Discuss symmetry and fairness.
• Allow students to cut along the fold to visibly see two equal parts.

Step 3: Halves of Quantities (5 minutes)

• Display numbers up to 20.
• Demonstrate how to halve them using counters or cubes.
• Ask: “What is half of 8?” – model the division into two equal parts.
• Have students work in pairs with small objects to halve amounts practically.

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3. Group Activity – Halving in Action (10 minutes)

Objective: Consolidate learning through practical activities.

Activity: “Half It Challenge”

• Split students into small groups with different materials: cubes, paper, number cards.

• Each group receives different challenges:

  • One group: Colour half of a given shape.
  • Another group: Share 10 cubes equally between two.
  • Another group: Find half of given numbers by counting.

• Rotate activities after 5 minutes so each group experiences all challenges.

• Teacher moves around, checking understanding and asking probing questions.

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4. Plenary – Quickfire Half (10 minutes)

Objective: Reinforce learning through rapid oral discussion and application.

• Game: "Heads or Halves?"

  • Teacher asks quickfire questions:
    • “What is half of 6?”
    • “If I cut a sandwich in half, how many pieces do I get?”
    • "Is 3 half of 10? Why or why not?"

• Self-assessment:

  • Display simple questions on the board for thumbs-up/thumbs-down responses.
  • “Put your thumbs up if this is a half!” (Show different images, some correct and some incorrect).

• Exit Question: Before leaving, each student must correctly say or demonstrate something they learned about halves.

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Assessment Criteria

• Can students visually recognise half in shapes and objects?
• Can they practically split quantities and numbers into two equal parts?
• Can they articulate why halves must always be equal?

Evidence of Learning:

• Observation during group tasks.
• Responses in the plenary quiz.
• Participation in discussion and practical activities.

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Resources Required

• Fruit (apple/banana) for demonstration.
• Flashcards with images of items halved.
• Paper for folding and cutting.
• Cubes or counters for practical work.
• Dry erase boards and markers for plenary questions.

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Extension & Support

For Higher Ability:

• Challenge students to find half of larger numbers (e.g., 24, 30).
• Ask them to explain in their own words why ½ is always equal.

For Lower Ability:

• Provide physical objects to manipulate when halving numbers.
• Use pictorial support to aid understanding.

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Teacher’s Reflection

• Were students engaged and involved in the practical tasks?
• Did any misconceptions arise? How can they be addressed next time?
• Did students apply their knowledge to different contexts?

This detailed and interactive lesson ensures that all Year 2 pupils can confidently recognise and divide whole items into halves in an engaging and practical way! 🚀