🔢 MathGrade 2Lesson 32
← Back🔒 PDF with full access

Fractions — Halves and Quarters of Shapes and Objects

Lesson preview: the Mini Lesson and Vocabulary are open to everyone. Guided practice, exercises, the parent checklist and the printable PDF worksheet come with full access (free 7-day trial or membership).

Learning Objectives

  • 1Divide shapes into 2 equal parts
  • 2Name each part one half
  • 3Divide shapes into 4 equal parts
  • 4Name each part one quarter
  • 5Recognize that 2 quarters equal one half and 4 quarters equal one whole
📘

Mini Lesson

A fraction names one or more equal parts of a whole. When you cut something into equal pieces, each piece is a fraction of the whole object.

One half — 1/2

  • Cut a whole shape into 2 equal parts.
  • Each part is called one half, written 1/2.
  • The bottom number (2) tells you how many equal parts in the whole.
  • The top number (1) tells you how many parts you are talking about.

One quarter — 1/4

  • Cut a whole shape into 4 equal parts.
  • Each part is called one quarter, written 1/4.
  • Two quarters (2/4) equal one half (1/2).
  • Four quarters (4/4) equal one whole.

The equal-parts rule

  • Parts must be the same size to be fractions.
  • If the parts are not equal, the shape is not divided into halves or quarters.
  • Real-life examples: half a sandwich, a quarter of a pizza, half a glass of water.
Shapes divided into halves and quartersLeft panel: a circle cut in half by a vertical line. The left half is shaded blue and labeled one half. Right panel: a square cut into four equal parts. The top-left quarter is shaded green and labeled one quarter.One Halfshaded1/22 equal parts1 part shadedOne Quartershaded1/44 equal parts1 part shaded
A circle split into equal halves (left half shaded, 1/2) and a square split into four equal quarters (top-left shaded, 1/4).
Equal parts rule and fraction relationshipsTop row: a rectangle with a correct equal split beside one with an unequal split. Bottom row: a strip of four quarters showing 2 quarters equal one half, and 4 quarters equal one whole.The Equal-Parts RuleEqual halves - yesNot equal - no1/41/41/41/42/4 = 1/24/4 = 1 whole2 quarters = 1 half • 4 quarters = 1 whole
Equal versus unequal splits plus a strip of four quarters showing 2/4 = 1/2 and 4/4 = 1 whole.
💡

Ask yourself: "Are the parts the same size? How many equal parts does the whole have — 2 or 4?"

Vocabulary
Fraction
A number that names equal parts of a wholee.g. Half is a fraction.
Whole
All of something before it is splite.g. One whole pizza becomes 4 equal slices.
Half
One of two equal parts of a whole, written 1/2e.g. Half of a sandwich is 1/2.
Quarter
One of four equal parts of a whole, written 1/4e.g. A quarter of the pizza is one slice out of four.
Equal parts
Pieces that are all the same sizee.g. Halves and quarters must be equal parts.
Free · 7 days · No credit card

Unlock the full HSEA system for 7 days.

Add your first kid profile and your 7 days start: every lesson in every grade, saved progress for each child. Nothing to set up, no card required, nothing to cancel.

  • ✓ All 1,680 lessons, Grades 1–6, every subject
  • ✓ Profiles + saved progress for every kid
  • ✓ Printable lessons with answer key
Start your 7-day free trial →
Already convinced? See full membership plans →
← Lesson 31: Read Calendars for Months and DaysLesson 33: Create Bar Graphs and Tally Charts →