Classroom Activities: Basic Parts of a Whole

These classroom activities are designed to complement the Basic Parts of a Whole topic on BrainPOP Jr.

Whole Paper

Have students fold white paper in different ways. Make sure that the folds are even so that the sections in the paper are equal. Have partners switch papers and have students count the parts and color one part. Students can label the papers with the fraction that shows what part is colored. Continue the activity several times so students can be exposed to different fractions.

Finding Fractions

Divide the class into small groups and have them write a list of items using fractions. For example, the list might include a quarter, one-third of a piece of paper, and one out of three swings. Have groups trade lists and find the items. If possible, allow students to find the items not just in the classroom, but on the playground or in the school.

Pizza Pie

Have your students cut large circles and decorate them as pizzas. Encourage them to be creative and make silly pizzas such as peanut butter and jelly or lima bean and spinach. Then divide the students into groups of different numbers, such as groups of two, three, and four. Explain to students that they will be sharing their pizzas with each other and need to make equal slices. (Make sure students count themselves in the groups.) Each student can cut his or her pizza into equal parts and share them with their groups. Have groups discuss what fraction of the pizza they each get. Discuss groups’ fractions with the class. If possible, have a pizza party at the end of the activity to celebrate fractions.