• Students will identify simple fractions (one half, one third, one fourth) using models.
• Students will explore the concept of a fraction as a "fair share".

Activity

• Provide students with paper shapes suitable for folding, include a triangle, rectangle, square and circle.

• Ask students to fold their shapes to provide a "fair share" for two, three and four people.

• As students work discuss the terms:
  
  half = two equal pieces
  thirds = three equal pieces
  fourths/quarters = four equal pieces.
  
  Ask students to colour:
  
  one-half
  one-third
  one-fourth
  of their shapes.

Assessment Tips from Old Tom the Turtle

• Observe which students are able to relate a "fair share" to equal size pieces.

• Can students use the appropriate language to describe one piece of their shapes?

• For more advanced children:
  
  Discuss which shapes are easiest to fold into halves, thirds, or fourths. Why?