Unit: Maths Through Biblical Stories

Lesson 6 of 7

Duration: 30 minutes
Class Size: 20 first-grade students
Curriculum: International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP)
National Standard Curriculum Reference: Aligns with Jamaica’s National Standards for Grade 1 Mathematics – Number Concepts and Fractions

---

Central Idea

Mathematical ideas can be explored through stories from different cultures and religions.

Key Concept

• Form: Understanding the shape and parts of objects (fractions).
• Connection: Linking biblical stories to real-life mathematics.

Related Concepts

• Fraction, division, sharing, fairness

Learner Profile Attributes

• Reflective: Students think about how parts make a whole.
• Open-minded: Students appreciate different cultural stories.

---

Learning Objectives

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

• Identify and describe halves, thirds, and quarters using physical objects (bread).
• Demonstrate how to divide objects into equal parts through hands-on activities.
• Relate the biblical story of the Last Supper (Matthew 26:17-30) to the concept of sharing and fractions.
• Use appropriate mathematical vocabulary: half, third, quarter, equal parts.

---

Standards and Competencies (IB PYP & Jamaican Standards)

IB PYP Key Concept	Jamaican Curriculum Cluster	Competency Focus
Form & Connection	Number Operations (Fractions)	Understanding fractions as equal parts of a whole bridge cultural education and mathematical skills.
Communication	Oral/Visual communication	Use appropriate language; express mathematical thinking orally and through actions.
Thinking	Reasoning & Problem-solving	Develop reasoning skills by dividing objects into equal parts and explaining the process.

---

Materials

• Fresh bread rolls or brown paper bread shapes (pre-cut into circles or rectangles)
• Plastic cutting knives (safe for children)
• Paper plates
• Visual aids: large colorful fraction chart (halves, thirds, quarters)
• Storybook or paraphrased text of Matthew 26:17-30 (specially adapted for first graders)
• Fraction song lyric sheet (custom song about halves, thirds, and quarters)
• Whiteboard or chart paper and markers
• Stickers or stamps for positive reinforcement

---

Lesson Outline

---

1. Introduction (5 minutes)

Objective: Connect story with fractions and introduce key vocabulary

• Begin by briefly telling or reading an adapted version of the Last Supper story focusing on the sharing of bread (Matthew 26:17-30). Use visuals to keep the story engaging.
• Ask guiding questions: “How do we share bread so everyone gets a fair piece?” “What happens if we break the bread into smaller parts?”
• Introduce the terms: half, third, quarter, and explain that these are ways to name parts of a whole. Show simple fraction visuals.
• Sing a short fraction song to the tune of “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” to help auditory learners and reinforce vocabulary.

Differentiation: Use visuals and gestures to support dyslexic learners; provide fraction cards with both number and picture.

---

2. Hands-On Activity: Cutting Bread (15 minutes)

Objective: Explore how to physically divide bread into halves, thirds, and quarters

• Distribute bread rolls or bread-shaped paper to each pair of students, along with plastic cutting knives and plates.

• Guide students as they:

  • Cut one bread roll into 2 equal halves. Ask them to notice the size of each piece and name the fraction.
  • Cut another bread roll into 3 equal thirds. Emphasize the challenge of making equal parts.
  • Finally, cut a third bread roll into 4 equal quarters.

• Circulate and provide support, asking questions such as “Are these pieces equal?” and “What fraction is this piece?”

Differentiation:

• Pair dyslexic students with visual helpers or peer buddies.
• For students needing extra support, use pre-cut bread pieces or cardboard models to arrange and discuss fractions.

---

3. Discussion & Reflection (5 minutes)

Objective: Reinforce understanding and express learning

• Bring the class together; invite a few students to share their bread pieces with the class, explaining which fraction each piece represents.
• Display the fraction chart and link their bread pieces to the visuals.
• Reflect on the importance of sharing fairly and how fractions can help us do this.

---

4. Assessment & Closure (5 minutes)

Objective: Informal assessment of fraction understanding and wrap up

• Quick “Fraction check” game: Show different bread pieces or fraction cards randomly and ask the class to shout out “half,” “third,” or “quarter.”
• Provide stickers or stamps as positive reinforcement for participation and correct answers.
• Close by summarizing how fractions help us share things equally, tying back into the biblical story.
• Preview next lesson (Lesson 7: Fractions in Nature).

---

Teacher Tips

• Use clear, simple language and many gestures to reinforce math terms.
• Emphasize process over perfection; encourage effort when cutting equal parts.
• Encourage students to relate fractions to real-life – e.g., sharing snacks at home.
• Reinforce the cross-disciplinary links between mathematics and cultural literacy through story-based learning.

---

End of Lesson 6