Fractions - Chocolate bar - Practical Maths Activity

In a delightful practical maths activity, Year 2 students are introduced to the tasty topic of fractions using a large chocolate bar. The lesson is designed to meet specific National Curriculum objectives, including the recognition and writing of fractions such as 1/3, 1/4, 2/4, and 3/4 of various entities including lengths, shapes, sets of objects, or quantities. It also aims to teach students to write simple fractions, like 1/2 of 6 equals 3, and to understand the concept of equivalence, as in recognising that 2/4 is the same as 1/2. This hands-on approach utilises a universally loved item—chocolate—to make learning about fractions both engaging and relatable.

Demonstrating fractions with a real-world object, the lesson begins by presenting a large-sized chocolate bar to the class. The chocolate bar is then segmented into different portions to visually represent different fractions. The children are invited to consider which is larger, 1/4 or 1/2, by directly comparing the segments of the chocolate bar. This interactive session not only helps them grasp the concept of size in fractions but also allows them to apply this understanding in a practical context. At the conclusion of the activity, the students are asked which fraction of the chocolate bar they would prefer and why, encouraging them to articulate their understanding of fractions in terms of real quantities and personal preferences.