Introduction to One-Half as a Fraction for Pre-School Level 3

Class: Pre-School Level 3
Term: Second Term
Week: 10
Age: 4 years
Duration: 30 minutes
Subject: Numeracy
Curriculum Theme: Numeracy
Previous Lesson: Identifying whole objects and counting to two.
Topic: ONE-HALF (1/2): INTRODUCTION TO FRACTIONS
Subject Matter: Introduction to one-half as a fraction.

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain

• Identify a whole object.
• Recognise when an object has been divided into two equal parts.
• State that one of two equal parts is called “one-half.”

Affective Domain

• Participate actively in class discussions about sharing.
• Show interest in exploring how objects can be divided.

Psychomotor Domain

• Demonstrate dividing a shape into two equal halves using scissors (with guidance).
• Shade one-half of a drawn shape.

Social Domain

• Take turns when demonstrating cutting activities.
• Share materials respectfully with classmates.

Reference Materials

• NAPPS National Unified Teaching Scheme for Pre-School Level 3
• Early Childhood Care and Education resources
• Suitable early-years numeracy workbook

Instructional Materials

• Charts showing objects divided into halves
• Cardboard or paper
• An orange or other fruit/food item that can be easily halved
• Child-safe scissors (for pupils)
• A knife (for teacher’s demonstration only)
• Crayons
• Pencils
• Whiteboard or chalkboard

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson introduces young children to the foundational concept of fractions through the idea of “one-half.” Understanding halves helps pupils develop early mathematical reasoning, grasp the concept of equal sharing, and relate mathematical ideas to everyday experiences like dividing food or toys. It also builds a strong base for more complex fraction concepts later on.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils can identify whole objects, count objects up to two, and understand simple instructions about sharing.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

ONE-HALF (1/2): INTRODUCTION TO FRACTIONS

A **fraction** means a part of a whole thing. Today, we are learning about **one-half**. **What is One-Half (1/2)?** When we take a whole thing and divide it into **two equal parts**, each part is called **one-half**. We write one-half as **1/2**. **Examples of One-Half:** Imagine a whole orange. If we cut the orange into two parts that are exactly the same size, each part is one-half of the orange.
Imagine a whole circle. If we draw a line to cut the circle into two parts that are exactly the same size, each part is one-half of the circle. If we colour one of these two equal parts, we have coloured one-half (1/2) of the circle. **How to show one-half:** 1. Start with a whole object (like a paper circle or square). 2. Fold or cut it exactly in the middle to make two parts that are the same size. 3. Each of these two equal parts is one-half (1/2).

Key Words

• Whole – A complete thing, not broken or divided.
• Part – A piece or section of something.
• Equal – Exactly the same in size or amount.
• Half – One of two equal parts of a whole.
• Fraction – A part of a whole.

Sharing Halves Rhyme

Tune: Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star

Lyrics:

Whole, whole, round and full,
Cut it in the middle, cool!
One side, other side too,
Two equal parts for me and you.
Each part is a half, you see,
Sharing makes us happy, we!

Actions:
Whole, whole, round and full: Make a large circle with hands.
Cut it in the middle, cool!: Make a cutting motion with hands.
One side, other side too: Point left, then right.
Two equal parts for me and you: Hold up two fingers, then point to self and a friend.
Each part is a half, you see: Nod head.
Sharing makes us happy, we!: Clap hands happily.

Watch and Learn About Halves

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_l-x3pL0m4

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Play-based Learning, Demonstration, Guided Practice, Songs and Rhymes, Picture Talk, Question and Answer, Manipulation of Objects, Repetition, Practical Activity.

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 3 minutes

Teaching Skill: Engagement/Warm-up

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils warmly and starts a brief discussion about sharing. “Who likes to share their food or toys? What happens when you share a biscuit with a friend?” The teacher shows a whole orange and asks, “What is this? Is it whole or broken?”

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to the teacher’s questions about sharing and identify the whole orange.

Learning Point: Pupils are engaged and recall the concept of a whole object.

Step 2: Introduction to One-Half with an Orange

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Explanation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains that sometimes we need to share a whole thing into parts. “Today, we will learn about one special way to share, called one-half.” The teacher carefully cuts the orange into two *equal* parts using a knife, showing both parts to the class. “Look, I cut the whole orange into two parts. Are these parts the same size? Yes, they are equal! Each part is called one-half.”

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the teacher cutting the orange and listen to the explanation of “one-half” and “equal parts.”

Learning Point: Pupils visually understand dividing a whole into two equal parts.

Step 3: Visualizing Halves with Shapes

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Visual Aid/Demonstration

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher uses charts or draws different shapes (circle, square, rectangle) on the board. “Now, let’s see how we can make halves with shapes.” The teacher draws a line through the middle of each shape to divide it into two equal parts. “See? Two equal parts. Each part is one-half.” The teacher then cuts out paper shapes and demonstrates cutting them into two equal halves with scissors.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the shapes on the chart/board and watch the teacher cut paper shapes into halves.

Learning Point: Pupils connect the concept of one-half to different shapes.

Step 4: Rhyme Reinforcement and Video Viewing

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Song/Media Integration

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads the pupils in singing the “Sharing Halves Rhyme” with actions 2-3 times. “Let’s sing our rhyme about sharing halves!” Afterwards, the teacher introduces and plays the short video on halves. “Now, let’s watch a fun video that shows us more about halves!”

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils sing the rhyme with actions and watch the video attentively.

Learning Point: Pupils reinforce the concept of halves through song and visual examples from the video.

Step 5: Guided Practical Activity – Cutting Halves

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Practice/Hands-on

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher distributes pre-drawn shapes (circles, squares) on paper to each pupil and child-safe scissors. “Now it’s your turn! I want you to carefully cut your shapes into two equal halves, just like I showed you.” The teacher walks around, providing individual guidance and assistance, helping pupils to cut as evenly as possible.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils carefully cut their paper shapes into two equal halves with teacher guidance.

Learning Point: Pupils develop fine motor skills and practically apply the concept of dividing into halves.

Step 6: Application – Shading One-Half

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Application/Creative Expression

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher asks pupils to take out their notebooks and pencils. “Now, draw a circle or a square in your notebook. Then, draw a line to divide it into two equal parts. After that, pick a crayon and shade *only one* of the two equal parts. You are shading one-half!” The teacher demonstrates on the board and provides support.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils draw shapes, divide them into two equal parts, and shade one-half in their notebooks.

Learning Point: Pupils consolidate understanding by representing one-half visually.

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 4–5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher checks pupils’ understanding through short questions and practical tasks.

1. “What do we call one of two equal parts of a whole?” (Expected: One-half)
2. “Show me your paper shapes that you cut into halves.”
3. “Show me the shape in your notebook where you shaded one-half.”
4. “Can you point to one-half of the orange I cut?”

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond orally and demonstrate the required skill where appropriate.

Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.

Step 8: Conclusion

Time: 1 minute

Teaching Skill: Recap/Closure

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher praises the pupils for their participation and excellent work. “You all did so well learning about one-half today! Remember, one-half means one of two equal parts.” The teacher leads a final, quick sing-along of the “Sharing Halves Rhyme.”

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the recap and sing the rhyme one last time.

Learning Point: Pupils leave with a positive reinforcement of the lesson’s main concept.

Lesson Keywords

• Whole – A complete thing.
• Part – A piece of something.
• Equal – Exactly the same size.
• Half (1/2) – One of two equal parts.
• Fraction – A part of a whole.

Differentiation

• Support: For pupils who are struggling, provide larger pre-drawn shapes for cutting, offer hand-over-hand guidance during cutting and shading, and use more concrete examples with real objects. Allow them to simply point to halves rather than cutting if fine motor skills are a barrier.
• Extension: For pupils who grasp the concept quickly, challenge them to identify other objects in the classroom that can be divided into two equal halves (e.g., a book, a piece of paper). Ask them to draw two different shapes and divide each into halves.