Year 2 Mathematics · AC9M2M02

Halves, quarters and eighths

Understand fractions as equal parts of a whole, then recognise them in shapes, objects, measures, positions and events

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Learning goalsSay it simply

A fraction describes equal parts of one whole. Before naming a half, quarter or eighth, first decide what the whole is and check that it has been divided into equal parts.

Learning sequence: Whole → split equally → count equal parts → name the fraction → connect it to a real situation.

  • Half: 2 equal parts make one whole.
  • Quarter: 4 equal parts make one whole.
  • Eighth: 8 equal parts make one whole.
Key conceptTeach from the board

1. Is this really one half?

A sandwich is cut into 2 pieces, but one piece is much larger. The pieces are not halves because halves must be equal in size.

2. Halving again

Cut one whole into 2 equal halves. Halve each half again: now there are 4 equal quarters. Halve every quarter again: now there are 8 equal eighths.

3. Measuring cup

If 2 half-cups fill one cup, each half-cup represents one half of the whole cup. Four quarter-cups fill the same whole cup.

4. Position

The halfway point of a race is a position that divides the full race distance into 2 equal lengths.

5. Time

Half an hour is half of 60 minutes, so it is 30 minutes. A quarter of an hour is one of 4 equal parts of 60 minutes, so it is 15 minutes.

Clean visual examplesOne-page board

Clean one-page examples

AC9M2M02 - Halves, quarters and eighths
Example 1

Fold and prove: fold paper into halves, then quarters, then eighths. Open it and check that all parts are equal.

Example 2

Fair-share challenge: decide whether pictured food portions are fair halves or quarters and explain why.

Example 3

Measure the whole: fill one cup using halves and quarters and record how many equal parts make the whole.

Example 4

Human number line: mark the start, halfway point and finish of a path, then discuss what “halfway” means.

Curriculum examplesCurriculum examples

AC9M2M02: identify common uses and represent halves, quarters and eighths in relation to shapes, objects and events.

  • E1: food items divided into equal halves, quarters and eighths
  • E2: half- and quarter-cup/spoon measures
  • E3: paper folding into equal halves and quarters
  • E4: halves and quarters describing lengths, positions and distances
  • E5: halves and quarters describing durations and sporting-event sections
Questions and answersWith answers
  • Always identify the whole first.
  • Fraction parts must be equal.
  • 2 halves = 1 whole.
  • 4 quarters = 1 whole.
  • 8 eighths = 1 whole.
  • Half an hour = 30 minutes.
  • Quarter of an hour = 15 minutes.

Quick check

  1. How many quarters make one whole?
  2. Why are two unequal pieces not halves?
  3. Which is smaller for the same whole: one quarter or one eighth?
  4. How many minutes are in a quarter of an hour?
  5. Give one example of a fraction used to describe a position or event.
Curriculum alignmentStart here

A fraction describes equal parts of one whole. Before naming a half, quarter or eighth, first decide what the whole is and check that it has been divided into equal parts.

Learning sequence: Whole → split equally → count equal parts → name the fraction → connect it to a real situation.

  • Half: 2 equal parts make one whole.
  • Quarter: 4 equal parts make one whole.
  • Eighth: 8 equal parts make one whole.
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