Halving

This exploratory problem is a fantastic way to consolidate children's understanding of halving and halves. It also gives learners experience of mathematical proof.

To introduce the problem, you could use this PowerPoint presentation. It shows squares being halved in different ways and would provoke interesting discussion. (It loops so starts again when it reaches the end.)  You may want to show the presentation (or at least some of it) and invite the children to watch in silence.  What is happening?  Give them time to talk to a partner about what they've seen and then bring the whole group together.  This will allow children to clarify their understanding of halving before going on to the main task.

It would be a good idea to give pairs of children a print-out of these sheets, the first of which contains the smaller squares, and the second the larger squares in the problem. Pupils will have many ideas of their own when it comes to checking or proving that the squares in the problem really are split in half. Some will be able to explain orally, in terms of looking for red and white parts that are exactly the same shape and size. Others will prefer to draw them on squared paper and count squares. Some may want to cut out the squares and physically lay the halves on top of each other. Alternatively, it might be possible in some instances to cut out the square and fold it to show that it has been split in half. Learners can use the uncoloured squares on the sheet to investigate different ways of shading halves for themselves.

In the plenary, as well as giving the class a chance to share their solutions and ways of working, you might like to distinguish between the squares that have been divided into two pieces (one red, one white) from those where there are more than two pieces. In all cases, we are comparing the total amount of red with the total amount of white.

Have you thought about drawing the squares on squared paper and then using the small squares to help you check that they are split in half?

How about cutting out your square? How would this help to check that you had divided it in half?

This sheet has the larger squares drawn on a grid of squares which may be useful for many children.