Halves, Quarters, Numerators and Denominators in Fractions for Primary 1

Class: Primary 1
Term: Second Term
Week: 9
Age: 6 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: General Mathematics
Curriculum Theme: Number and Numeration
Focal competence: Identifying Numerators and Denominators of fractions
Key competencies/values: Creativity and Innovation
Skills:

• Drawing
• Cutting of papers
• Colouring
• Folding of papers

Previous Lesson: Mathematics Examination
Topic: Fractions: Halves And Quarters
Subject Matter: Halves, quarters, simple numerator, denominator (enrichment)

Specific Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

Cognitive Domain

• Identify a whole and equal parts using concrete objects and shapes.
• Recognise halves and quarters in familiar objects and pictures.
• State the meaning of one-half and one-quarter.

Affective Domain

• Appreciate the importance of equal sharing.
• Participate actively in dividing objects into equal parts.

Psychomotor Domain

• Divide familiar objects and shapes into equal parts.
• Draw and colour a simple object or shape to show halves or quarters.
• Fold papers to demonstrate halves and quarters.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

• 2025 Revised 9 Years Basic Education Curriculum
• Relevant State Unified Scheme of Work
• New Oxford Primary Mathematics for Nigeria, Book 1
• The HeadTeacher Scheme of work

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

• Counters, sticks or bottle tops
• Number cards and number line
• Various paper shapes (circles, squares, rectangles)
• Real objects like an apple, orange, or a piece of bread
• Crayons or coloured pencils
• Scissors (for teacher’s demonstration or supervised pupil use)

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson is important as it introduces pupils to the fundamental concept of fractions, which is crucial for understanding division and sharing in everyday life. Learning about halves and quarters helps pupils develop early mathematical reasoning and problem-solving skills, preparing them for more complex fraction concepts later on.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils can count numbers up to 10 and recognise basic shapes like circles, squares, and rectangles. They also have a basic understanding of sharing objects among friends.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Fractions: Halves and Quarters

What is a Fraction?

A fraction means a part of a whole. When we divide something into equal parts, each part is a fraction of the whole.

Halves (One-Half)

When an object or shape is divided into two equal parts, each part is called a half or one-half.

We write one-half as (frac{1}{2}).

Examples of objects divided into halves:

1. A whole apple cut into two equal pieces.
2. A piece of paper folded into two equal sections.
3. A circle divided into two equal parts.

Quarters (One-Quarter)

When an object or shape is divided into four equal parts, each part is called a quarter or one-quarter.

We write one-quarter as (frac{1}{4}).

Examples of objects divided into quarters:

1. A whole orange cut into four equal pieces.
2. A piece of bread cut into four equal parts.
3. A square divided into four equal sections.

Recognising Halves and Quarters

We can see halves and quarters in many things around us, like a clock face showing quarter past or half past the hour, or a pizza cut into slices.

Numerator and Denominator (Enrichment)

In a fraction like (frac{1}{2}) or (frac{1}{4}):

1. The top number is called the Numerator. It tells us how many parts we are looking at.
2. The bottom number is called the Denominator. It tells us how many equal parts make up the whole.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Demonstration, Guided Practice, Question and Answer, Explanation, Observation, Practical Activity, Individual Practice

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Storytelling/Questioning

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher starts by asking pupils about sharing things with friends or siblings, like sharing a biscuit or a toy. The teacher asks, “What happens if you share a biscuit equally with one friend? How many pieces do you each get?”

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to the questions and share their experiences of sharing.

Learning Point: Concept of sharing

Step 2: Meaning of Halves

Time: 8 minutes

Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Explanation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher takes a real object (e.g., an apple or a piece of paper) and demonstrates how to divide it into two equal parts. The teacher explains that each part is called a “half” or “one-half” and writes (frac{1}{2}) on the board.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the demonstration and listen to the explanation.

Learning Point: Two equal parts

Step 3: Dividing Objects into Halves

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Practice

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher distributes paper shapes (circles, squares) to each pupil and guides them to fold or draw a line to divide their shapes into two equal halves. The teacher encourages them to colour one half.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils fold/draw and colour their paper shapes to show halves.

Learning Point: Practical division skill

Step 4: Meaning of Quarters

Time: 8 minutes

Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Explanation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher takes another object (e.g., an orange or a different paper shape) and demonstrates how to divide it into four equal parts. The teacher explains that each part is called a “quarter” or “one-quarter” and writes (frac{1}{4}) on the board.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the demonstration and listen to the explanation.

Learning Point: Four equal parts

Step 5: Dividing Objects into Quarters

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Practice

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher distributes more paper shapes and guides pupils to fold or draw lines to divide their shapes into four equal quarters. The teacher encourages them to colour one quarter.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils fold/draw and colour their paper shapes to show quarters.

Learning Point: Practical division skill

Step 6: Recognising Halves and Quarters and Introduction to Numerator/Denominator

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Question and Answer/Enrichment

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher shows pictures of objects divided into halves and quarters and asks pupils to identify them. The teacher then briefly introduces the terms “numerator” (top number, how many parts we have) and “denominator” (bottom number, how many parts make a whole) using (frac{1}{2}) and (frac{1}{4}) as examples.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils identify halves and quarters in pictures and listen to the explanation of numerator and denominator.

Learning Point: Halves and quarters identification

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:

1. What do we call one of two equal parts of an object?
2. Show me how to divide this paper into two equal halves.
3. What do we call one of four equal parts of an object?
4. Draw a circle and colour one-quarter of it.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Fraction understanding check

Step 8: Note-Taking

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Writing

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils to copy the essential Board Summary notes on halves, quarters, and their symbols into their notebooks.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils copy the notes carefully into their notebooks.

Learning Point: Recording lesson notes

Step 9: Conclusion

Time: 1 minute

Teaching Skill: Reinforcement

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarises the lesson by reminding pupils that fractions are about equal parts of a whole, specifically focusing on halves and quarters. The teacher commends their participation.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen attentively and acknowledge the summary.

Learning Point: Recap of fractions

Continuous Assessment/Further Study

Type: Homework

Instruction: Draw the following shapes in your notebook and shade the indicated fraction:

1. Draw a square and shade one-half ((frac{1}{2})) of it.
2. Draw a rectangle and shade one-quarter ((frac{1}{4})) of it.
3. Draw a circle and shade one-half ((frac{1}{2})) of it.

Lesson Keywords

• Fraction – A part of a whole.
• Half – One of two equal parts of a whole.
• Quarter – One of four equal parts of a whole.
• Numerator – The top number in a fraction, showing how many parts are taken.
• Denominator – The bottom number in a fraction, showing the total number of equal parts in the whole.

Differentiation

For weaker learners: Provide pre-cut shapes for them to simply fold and colour. Offer more one-on-one guidance during practical activities and use more physical objects for demonstration. Focus primarily on identifying halves and quarters without delving too deeply into numerator/denominator.
For faster learners: Encourage them to identify halves and quarters in more complex shapes or real-life scenarios. Challenge them to draw different shapes and divide them into halves and quarters, or even try to write the fraction for two quarters or three quarters.

Suggested Lesson Videos

For further understanding, teachers and pupils can search for “Halves and Quarters for Kids Primary 1 Maths” on YouTube.

Teacher Guide for Using This Lesson Plan

Before the lesson, gather all instructional materials, including paper shapes, crayons, scissors, and real objects like fruits or bread. Ensure you have enough materials for each pupil to participate in the folding and drawing activities. Begin by engaging pupils with a familiar concept of sharing before introducing fractions. Guide them through the practical steps of dividing objects into halves and quarters, allowing ample time for hands-on practice. Pay close attention to pupils’ understanding during the guided practice, providing immediate correction and additional examples as needed. The enrichment section on numerator and denominator should be kept very simple and optional for Primary 1. Pupils should copy the Board Summary notes after the main teaching and evaluation, ensuring they capture the key concepts and symbols. Conclude by reinforcing the main idea of equal parts and how fractions help us describe them.