Today we are going to be sharing some things with a partner when we pretend to go on a picnic!

Definition: We are discussing something called fractions today-fraction is just a math word for an equal part of a whole. The fraction we will be focusing on is a half. A half is when you cut something into 2 equal parts-it is two halves.

Present Square: We are going to pretend this square is a brownie.

Now I am going on a picnic with my friend. We both want some brownie. I have to share this brownie so it is fair to my friend, I have to make the two pieces equal. I need to give them half of the brownie.

Why do the pieces have to be equal?
Watch how I fold this paper to make the brownie equal. If you think it is fair, I want you to show a thumbs up; If you think it isn’t equal, show a thumbs down.
Is this equal? Why or why not?

I’ll fold the paper in different ways. Each time, the students say if it is equal or not. I’ll do 3-4 not equal ways before finally doing a simple fold down the middle that shows 2 equal parts.

Restate: After I finally do the equal shares, I’ll say: “If I gave my partner 1 part of the brownie, then I would give my partner half. Half is this side-we both get the same amount, so we both get half.”

Define: When we make halves, 2 people are sharing it equally.

Let me draw my brownie. (T draws square on chart paper). How could I show the way I divided this brownie into 2 equal parts?

Now that I showed my brownie, I am going to shade, or color in, the part that I am eating. What do I need to color? What math word do we use to describe this? (half)