Year 1: One half of a group

Key words. A half is one of two equal parts.

Method. Share 8 cubes into 2 equal groups, so every group has the same number.

1. Share the cubes into 2 equal groups. Every group must have the same number, so give out one at a time.
   8 cubes into 2 groups
2. Count how many are in one group. All the groups are the same, so one group gives the answer.
   4 in each group
3. Write the answer.
   4

Check. Add the groups back together: 4 + 4 = 8. ✓

Watch out. Every group needs the same number. Do not give one group more than the others.

Key words. A half is one of two equal parts.

Method. Share 4 balls into 2 equal groups, so every group has the same number.

1. Share the balls into 2 equal groups. Every group must have the same number, so give out one at a time.
   4 balls into 2 groups
2. Count how many are in one group. All the groups are the same, so one group gives the answer.
   2 in each group
3. Write the answer.
   2

Check. Add the groups back together: 2 + 2 = 4. ✓

Watch out. Every group needs the same number. Do not give one group more than the others.

Key words. A half is one of two equal parts.

Method. Share 12 things into 2 equal groups, so every group has the same number.

1. Share the things into 2 equal groups. Every group must have the same number, so give out one at a time.
   12 things into 2 groups
2. Count how many are in one group. All the groups are the same, so one group gives the answer.
   6 in each group
3. Write the answer.
   6

Check. Add the groups back together: 6 + 6 = 12. ✓

Watch out. Every group needs the same number. Do not give one group more than the others.

Key words. A half is one of two equal parts.

Method. Share 20 stars into 2 equal groups, so every group has the same number.

1. Share the stars into 2 equal groups. Every group must have the same number, so give out one at a time.
   20 stars into 2 groups
2. Count how many are in one group. All the groups are the same, so one group gives the answer.
   10 in each group
3. Write the answer.
   10

Check. Add the groups back together: 10 + 10 = 20. ✓

Watch out. Every group needs the same number. Do not give one group more than the others.

Key words. A half is one of two equal parts.

Method. Share 16 stickers into 2 equal groups, so every group has the same number.

1. Share the stickers into 2 equal groups. Every group must have the same number, so give out one at a time.
   16 stickers into 2 groups
2. Count how many are in one group. All the groups are the same, so one group gives the answer.
   8 in each group
3. Write the answer.
   8

Check. Add the groups back together: 8 + 8 = 16. ✓

Watch out. Every group needs the same number. Do not give one group more than the others.

Method. Share the 12 counters first. Then find half of one pot.

1. Share 12 counters into 2 pots. Each pot must have the same number.
   6 in each pot
2. Find half of the 6 in one pot. Share the 6 counters into 2 equal groups.
   3 + 3 = 6
3. Write the answer.
   3

Check. Two pots of 3 make 6, and 6 + 6 = 12. ✓

Watch out. Read the question carefully. Share first, then find half of one pot.

Method. Equal shares have the same number of things on every plate.

1. Count the things on each plate. We need to know how many are on each plate.
   6, 4
2. Compare the numbers. Equal shares have the same number on every plate.
   The numbers are not the same.
3. Decide.
   No. Each plate should have 5, but the plates have 6, 4.

Check. Add the plates together: 6 + 4 = 10. ✓

Watch out. Equal shares must have the same number on every plate.

Method. Share 6 into two equal groups to find half of 6.

1. Share the 6 apples into 2 equal groups. Every group must have the same number.
   3 + 3 = 6
2. Count how many are in one group. One group is one half of the apples.
   3 in one group
3. Compare with what Mei said. Mei said 2, but each group has 3.
   Mei said 2, but half is 3
4. Write the answer.
   No. Half of 6 is 3.

Check. Put the two groups back together: 3 + 3 = 6. ✓

Watch out. Count the apples in one group. Do not count the number of groups.

Method. If one half is 7, then the whole is two of those.

1. Think of the two halves. Two equal halves make the whole.
   7 + 7
2. Add the two halves together. The whole is the two halves put together.
   7 + 7 = 14
3. Write the answer.
   14

Check. Check: half of 14 is 7, because 7 + 7 = 14. ✓

Watch out. Do not just write 7. The whole is bigger than one half.