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Grade 1 Math Units

Unit Plan 32 (Grade 1 Math): Equal Shares—Real-World Fractions

Partition circles and rectangles into halves and fourths, identify equal shares, and explain fair shares using whole/part language and precise vocabulary.

Dr. Michael Kester-Haynes

• 5 min read
Unit Plan 32 (Grade 1 Math): Equal Shares—Real-World Fractions

Focus: Partition food and objects into halves and fourths (quarters); describe whole vs. part and explain what makes a fair share.

Grade Level: 1

Subject Area: Mathematics (Geometry)

Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 45–60 minutes per session

I. Introduction

Students learn that equal shares are parts of a whole that are the same size. Using pictures and real-world items (paper “pizzas/sandwiches,” craft clay), they partition shapes into halves and fourths, compare sizes of pieces, and explain why a partition is or is not a fair share.

Essential Questions

  • What makes a share fair (equal) instead of unfair (unequal)?
  • How can I partition a whole into halves or fourths in more than one way?
  • How can I explain the whole and the parts using precise math words?

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:

  1. Identify the whole and its equal shares in pictures and objects.
  2. Partition circles and rectangles into 2 equal shares (halves) and 4 equal shares (fourths/quarters).
  3. Explain why a partition is fair using ideas of same size and area, not just the number of pieces.
  4. Use precise vocabulary (whole, equal, half, fourth/quarter, partition, share) to describe and justify their work.
  5. Recompose parts to make a whole and compare piece sizes (more pieces → smaller shares).

Standards Alignment — CCSS Grade 1 (threaded across the unit)

  • 1.G.3: Partition circles/rectangles into 2 and 4 equal shares; describe shares using words (halves, fourths/quarters); describe the whole as two of, or four of, the shares; understand that decomposing into more equal shares creates smaller shares.
  • Mathematical Practices: MP.2 (Reason abstractly & quantitatively) and MP.6 (Attend to precision) emphasized.

Success Criteria — Student Language

  • I can show the whole and partition it into equal shares.
  • I can name and label halves and fourths (quarters) correctly.
  • I can explain why my shares are fair using words like equal, same size, and whole.