JLA

This week in Maths, our Year 1/2 students have been busy exploring the exciting world of fractions. Our focus has been on understanding halves, quarters, and thirds, and developing a strong sense of what it means for parts to be equal or unequal. Students have been encouraged to think deeply about how we can fairly share or divide objects and groups, and why equal parts are so important when working with fractions.

To support their learning, we have been using a wide range of hands-on materials. Play dough has been a favourite tool, allowing students to roll, shape, and cut “wholes” into different fractional parts. We have also used paper circles, rectangles, and strips for folding and cutting, helping students see how the same whole can be divided in many different ways. These practical activities have given students the chance to experiment, make mistakes, try again, and talk through their discoveries with their peers.

Throughout the week, students have been engaged in rich discussions about what makes something a half, quarter, or third, and they have been practising identifying when parts are not equal. This has led to lots of fantastic critical thinking, with students comparing shapes, justifying their reasoning, and challenging themselves to find new ways to split objects fairly.

It has been wonderful to see the students’ confidence grow as they build their understanding of fractions. They are becoming fantastic mathematical thinkers who enjoy exploring, questioning, and learning through hands-on experiences. We are very proud of their effort and enthusiasm!