Fractions - Find a quarter - Planning

In Year 1, during the second week of the summer term, students embark on a journey to discover the concept of fractions, specifically focusing on finding a quarter. The lesson begins with a recap of previous learning, where students explore the idea of dividing shapes and objects into four equal parts. The term 'quarter' is introduced and discussed, with children contributing their interpretations, which are then displayed on the working wall. The class engages in an interactive activity using paper shapes to visually demonstrate the concept of quarters. This hands-on approach helps to cement the understanding that a quarter means each part must be of equal size, just like halves.

The lesson progresses with practical group work where children fold paper shapes into quarters, encouraging them to think about whether some shapes can be folded in more than one way to achieve this. Partner activities involve colouring a quarter of each shape in various ways, fostering discussion and reasoning about the identification of equal parts. The session includes differentiated worksheets for independent learning, catering to different levels of understanding. Students are prompted with key questions to stimulate critical thinking about the properties of quarters and equal parts. The lesson concludes with a reflective 'Give me five' exercise, asking children to consider what they've learned, the skills they've used, and how they can apply this knowledge in the future. The worksheets are tiered to accommodate children working towards, at expected level, and at greater depth, ensuring a tailored learning experience for each student's ability.