Halving to 12 Investigation - Fruit!

What’s included?

This download includes one resource - two pages featuring x12 ‘half’ problems (using fruit/veg) to complete - each of the x12 questions involves sharing the total amount (from 1 to 12) into two equal groups - ‘halves’. The learner will discover which numbers between 1 and 12 can and cannot be halved and of those numbers which can be halved equally learners will identify how much ‘half’ is.

What's it for?

This resource introduces learners to the concept of what 'half' is in a practical, systematic way using numbers under 12. Learners draw a line from each piece of fruit to the plate/s below until all pieces of fruit have been allocated to a plate. Where the number of pieces of fruit on the plates is the same that number can be split in 'half' and where the number of pieces of fruit on the plates is not the same - these numbers can not be split in half.

Who’s it for?

This resource has been designed for early years children and pupils in years one as well as older students needing additional support with their learning.

Resource layout

Learners draw a line from each fruit/veg to each ‘plate’ pictured below to systematically share out the total number of items (fruit/veg) each time until all have been shared (or not!) Learners may find it helpful to say to themselves “One for you and one for me” as each item is being distributed to each plate either physically or as the line is being drawn linking the fruit/veg to each plate, every time. Where the total number is ‘even’ (and the fruit/veg can be shared out equally) the learner can write the number of fruit/veg on one plate (the ‘half’ amount) on the line underneath at the end of the question (e.g.) Half of 2 is …4.

For the even numbers (which can successfully be split equally into half!) the learner can ‘circle’ the green ‘tick’ displayed, for the odd numbers (which cannot be shared equally into half!) the learner can ‘circle’ the red ‘cross’ displayed before moving on to the next question.

At the end of the second sheet there are x12 matching questions about each individual number to recap on which of the numbers between 1 and 12 can/cannot be split equally into half. The colour of the box around each question correlates to the colour of the question completed above guiding the learner more clearly (visually) back to each question box above to check their finding if needed.

Recommendations

Small objects can be placed on top of each fruit/veg (I have successfully used small coloured matchsticks with this resource if these are not deemed a choking hazard for little learner/s). Once the correct number of matchsticks/items have been counted out onto each individual fruit/veg (above the plates) these can then be physically moved (again, as the learner says “One for you, one for me” out loud each time) to one of the plates.

Useful for…

Once complete this resource makes a useful reference tool to refer back to as needed to assist young learners during various maths linked activities.

This PDF has been designed to print and use as practical write-on resource, it could be laminated to enable reuse.

Important message…

ANY issues with any of this please don’t hesitate to let me know - I am happy to make changes AND I am happy to create a new resource if you have an idea just let me know