Fractions Unpacked - Starting Points

The article and tasks below form part of our Fractions Unpacked Feature.  

They offer some starting points to explore with your class, which are applicable to a range of ages.  The tasks provide a chance for meaningful mathematical discussion and sharing of current understanding, in addition to offering opportunities to challenge misconceptions.

Early Fraction Development

Age 5 to 11

An article describing activities which will help develop young children's concept of fractions.

Paper Halving

Age 5 to 11
Challenge Level

In how many ways can you halve a piece of A4 paper? How do you know they are halves?

Fair Feast

Age 5 to 11
Challenge Level

Here is a picnic that Petros and Michael are going to share equally. Can you tell us what each of them will have?

What Do You See Here?

Age 7 to 11
Challenge Level

An activity for teachers to initiate that adds to learners' developing understanding of fractions.

Chocolate

Age 7 to 14
Challenge Level

There are three tables in a room with blocks of chocolate on each. Where would be the best place for each child in the class to sit if they came in one at a time?

The NRICH Project aims to enrich the mathematical experiences of all learners. To support this aim, members of the NRICH team work in a wide range of capacities, including providing professional development for teachers wishing to embed rich mathematical tasks into everyday classroom practice.
Copyright © 1997 - 2021. University of Cambridge. All rights reserved.
NRICH is part of the family of activities in the Millennium Mathematics Project.