Halves and quarters: what children learn
Year 1 pupils learn that a half is 1 of 2 equal parts and a quarter is 1 of 4 equal parts of an object, a shape or a quantity. They find half and a quarter of small numbers by sharing objects equally.
In this game children find half or a quarter of numbers up to 20 and answer questions about what equal parts are called. Every answer comes with a short explanation, so children can see the sharing that gives each answer.
This topic covers the Year 1 statutory requirement in the National Curriculum in England (Number – fractions): pupils should be taught to “recognise, find and name a half as 1 of 2 equal parts of an object, shape or quantity; recognise, find and name a quarter as 1 of 4 equal parts”. Year 1 pupils are usually aged 5–6.
For families following US standards, the closest Common Core standard is 1.G.A.3, which is taught in Grade 1.
How to play
Answer 10 questions before the clock runs out. Tap an answer, or press 1 to 4. Each game has 10 multiple-choice questions and a 150-second timer. A wrong answer shows the correct one before moving on. You earn up to three stars depending on your score.
Step by step
- Half means 2 equal groups. To find half of 8, share 8 into 2 equal groups. Each group has 4, so half of 8 is 4.
- A quarter means 4 equal groups. To find a quarter of 8, share 8 into 4 equal groups. Each group has 2, so a quarter of 8 is 2.
- Check by adding. Two halves make the whole: 4 + 4 = 8. Four quarters make the whole: 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 = 8.
- A quarter is half of a half. Halve 8 to get 4, then halve again to get 2. That is a quarter of 8.
Worked examples
Example 1: What is half of 12?
Working: Share 12 into 2 equal groups of 6. 6 + 6 = 12.
Answer: 6
Example 2: What is a quarter of 16?
Working: Half of 16 is 8, and half of 8 is 4.
Answer: 4
Example 3: A cake is cut into 4 equal pieces. What is each piece called?
Working: 4 equal parts are quarters.
Answer: a quarter
Common mistakes and how to fix them
- Thinking any cut into two pieces makes halves. Halves must be equal. If one piece is bigger, the pieces are not halves.
- Thinking a quarter is bigger than a half because 4 is bigger than 2. Cut two equal paper strips, one into 2 and one into 4. The more pieces, the smaller each piece.
- Doubling instead of halving. Say 'share between 2' rather than 'half' until the word is secure.
Activities to try at home
- Share snacks fairly: 'There are 10 grapes. How many do we each get if we share them in half?'
- Fold paper squares into halves and quarters in different ways.
- Cut a sandwich into quarters and ask how many quarters make the whole sandwich.
Ideas for the classroom
- Share counters between 2 or 4 paper plates and record the result.
- Fold and cut shapes, then check the pieces match by laying them on top of each other.
- Ask 'Is this a half?' about shapes split into equal and unequal parts.
Free printable game and worksheet
The free printable starts with a game sheet, such as a colour-by-answer picture, an answer maze or a secret-code joke, followed by a worksheet. Both use the same checked questions as the online game, and the answers are on the last page. Print it, or save it as a PDF from your browser’s print menu.
Open the free printable game and worksheet
Frequently asked questions
Does Year 1 use fraction notation like ½?
Children mostly use the words half and quarter in Year 1. Writing ½ and ¼ is taught in Year 2.
Why are all the numbers even?
Year 1 halves are whole numbers, so the game uses even numbers for halves and multiples of 4 for quarters.
Can it be played with a keyboard?
Yes. Press 1, 2, 3 or 4 to choose an answer.