Halving Fun: Dividing Squares into Equal Parts!

Math Grades 1st Grade 6:32 Video
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Lesson Description

Let's learn how to divide a square into halves using paper, scissors, and colors! We'll explore different ways to make equal parts.

Video Resource

Grade One: Math Lesson #67 Dividing A Square In Halves (Short Version)

The Eagle's Nest - Our Online Classroom

Duration: 6:32
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Key Concepts

  • Halves: Two equal parts of a whole.
  • Square: A shape with four equal sides and four corners.
  • Partitioning: Dividing something into parts.

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to divide a square into two equal halves.
  • Students will be able to identify and describe halves using the term 'half'.
  • Students will be able to create a square from a rectangular piece of paper.

Educator Instructions

  • Introduction (5 mins)
    Start by asking students if they know what 'half' means. Show them an example of a cookie or other object and cut it in half. Explain that when you cut something in half, you have two equal pieces.
  • Creating a Square (5 mins)
    Follow the video instructions to guide students in creating a square from a rectangular piece of paper. Emphasize folding and cutting carefully.
  • Dividing the Square Diagonally (5 mins)
    Guide students to divide their square from corner to corner, creating two triangles (halves). Have them color one half of the square and discuss how they have colored 'half' of the square.
  • Dividing the Square Straight Up and Down (5 mins)
    Show students how to fold the square in half by bringing the sides together. Then, have them draw a line along the fold to divide the square into two rectangles (halves). Have them color one half.
  • Discussion & Extension (5 mins)
    Discuss the two different ways they divided their squares. Ask them if the halves look the same in both squares. Introduce the written representation of one-half (1/2).

Interactive Exercises

  • Paper Tearing
    Give students a piece of paper and have them try to tear it in half so the two pieces are as close to the same size as possible. Discuss how close they were to making equal halves.
  • Sharing Game
    Give students a small bag of counters (like M&Ms or small toys). Have them practice dividing the counters in half and sharing them with a partner. Emphasize equal shares.

Discussion Questions

  • What does it mean to divide something in half?
  • Are the two pieces the same size when you divide something in half?
  • Can you think of other things we can divide in half?

Skills Developed

  • Fine motor skills (cutting, folding, coloring)
  • Understanding fractions (halves)
  • Spatial reasoning
  • Problem-solving

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

What does it mean to cut something in half?

Correct Answer: To make two equal pieces

Question 2:

How many halves make a whole square?

Correct Answer: Two

Question 3:

What shape do we make when we cut a square from corner to corner?

Correct Answer: A triangle

Question 4:

If you color half of a square, how much of the square did you color?

Correct Answer: Half of it

Question 5:

Which of these shows a shape divided in half?

Correct Answer: A shape with two equal pieces

Question 6:

What tool do we use to cut paper?

Correct Answer: Scissors

Question 7:

What shape has four sides that are all the same length?

Correct Answer: Square

Question 8:

If you share half your toys with a friend, are you being fair?

Correct Answer: Yes

Question 9:

If a pizza has 2 equal pieces, what do we call each piece?

Correct Answer: Half

Question 10:

What do we use to draw a straight line?

Correct Answer: Ruler

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

When you cut something in half, you get two _______ pieces.

Correct Answer: equal

Question 2:

Two _______ make a whole.

Correct Answer: halves

Question 3:

A square has _______ equal sides.

Correct Answer: four

Question 4:

We use _______ to cut the paper.

Correct Answer: scissors

Question 5:

When we divide a square in half, we are _______ it.

Correct Answer: partitioning

Question 6:

A _______ is a tool to draw a straight line.

Correct Answer: ruler

Question 7:

If you eat half of your sandwich, you have one _______ left.

Correct Answer: half

Question 8:

A square is a _______.

Correct Answer: shape

Question 9:

When you fold a square from corner to corner, you make a _______.

Correct Answer: triangle

Question 10:

One half can also be written as _______.

Correct Answer: 1/2

Educational Standards

CCSS.Math.Content.1.G.A.3:Partition circles and rectangles into two and four equal shares, describe the shares using the words halves, fourths, and quarters, and use the phrases half of, fourth of, and quarter of. Describe the whole as two of, or four of the shares. Understand for these examples that decomposing into more equal shares creates smaller shares. CCSS.Math.Content.1.G.A.1:Distinguish between defining attributes (e.g., triangles are closed and three-sided) versus non-defining attributes (e.g., color, orientation, overall size); build and draw shapes to possess defining attributes.

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