This grade 1 halves fourths lesson explains halves and fourths in one printable page, with definitions, a method and a worked example.
Halves and fourths are equal shares of a whole shape. Cut a circle or rectangle into 2 equal shares to make halves. Cut it into 4 equal shares to make fourths, also called quarters. Two halves make a whole, and four fourths make a whole. More shares means smaller shares.
Grade 1 Halves Fourths Lesson: key facts
- Equal shares are the same size.
- 2 equal shares are called halves.
- 4 equal shares are called fourths or quarters.
- 2 halves make 1 whole, and 4 fourths make 1 whole.
- More equal shares means each share is smaller.
What are halves?
A whole is one full shape, like a whole pizza or a whole sheet of paper. We can cut a whole into 2 equal shares. Equal means the same size. Each share is called a half. Two shares make halves.
When a whole is cut into 2 equal shares, each share is half of the whole. The colored part of circle A is half of the circle.
What are fourths and quarters?
We can also cut a whole into 4 equal shares. Each share is a fourth. A fourth is also called a quarter. Both words mean the same thing. Say “a fourth of the pizza” or “a quarter of the pizza.”
How can you tell if the shares are equal?
Look at the size of every share. If one share is bigger, the shares are not equal. Then they are not halves and not fourths. A shape can be cut in different ways and still show halves, as long as the 2 shares match.
How do the shares make a whole?
| Equal shares | Name | All the shares make |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | halves | 2 halves = 1 whole |
| 4 | fourths (quarters) | 4 fourths = 1 whole |
The whole is two of the shares, or four of the shares. More shares means smaller shares. A fourth is smaller than a half of the same shape.
How do you cut a shape into fourths?
- Look at the whole shape.
- Draw lines to make 4 shares.
- Check that all 4 shares are the same size.
- Call each share a fourth or a quarter.
Example: Maya has a square sandwich. She cuts it with 2 lines that cross in the middle. She gets 4 matching squares. Each square is a fourth of the sandwich. Four fourths make the whole sandwich.
Halves and Fourths: frequently asked questions
What is a half?
A half is 1 of 2 equal shares of a whole. When you cut a shape into 2 shares that are the same size, each share is a half. Two halves make the whole.
What is the difference between a fourth and a quarter?
There is no difference. Fourth and quarter are two names for the same share. Each is 1 of 4 equal shares of a whole.
Can halves look different?
Yes. A rectangle can be cut down the middle, across the middle, or corner to corner. If the 2 shares are the same size, each one is a half.
Why is a fourth smaller than a half?
Cutting a whole into 4 equal shares makes more pieces than cutting it into 2. When there are more equal shares, each share is smaller.
How many fourths make a whole?
Four fourths make one whole. If you eat 1 fourth of a pizza, 3 fourths are left. Put all 4 fourths back together and you have the whole pizza.
How to use this grade 1 halves fourths lesson
Use this grade 1 halves fourths lesson before the worksheet, then check what you learned with the quiz.
See every chapter on the Grade 1 math page.