Unit 2 — Fractions & Parts of a Whole | Math Grades 1-2
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Unit 2 — Fractions & Parts of a Whole

Hands-on LEGO® exploration of equal shares, fairness, and early fractional reasoning

Grade Level:1–2
Number of Lessons:5
Lesson Length:40–50 minutes
Learning Mode:Hands-on, collaborative, story-based
Compatible with:Common Core, Cambridge Primary, IB PYP

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🎯 Unit Summary

Unit 2 introduces children to foundational ideas of fractions through hands-on LEGO® building. Instead of memorizing symbols (½, ⅓, ¼), students build, touch, count, and compare equal shares using real models they construct themselves.

This unit teaches:

  • what it means for parts to be equal
  • how to divide a whole into halves, thirds, and quarters
  • how to check fairness using brick-count
  • how the number of equal parts affects the size of each share
  • how to tell simple math stories involving equal shares
  • how to explain thinking using clear mathematical language

All learning emerges from real physical models, following the Brickit cycle:

Sort → Scan → Choose → Build → Explore → Reflect

Click any lesson below to go directly to the full lesson plan:

5 Lessons in Unit 2:
  1. Lesson 2.1 — Equal Parts: Halves & Quarters
  2. Lesson 2.2 — Fair Sharing Challenge
  3. Lesson 2.3 — Building with Thirds
  4. Lesson 2.4 — Comparing Fraction Sizes
  5. Lesson 2.5 — Fraction Stories

🧠 Core Concepts

✔ Equal Shares

Equal shares do not need to look identical.

Shares are equal when they contain:

  • the same number of bricks
  • (children may also use stud-count when it is easy to observe)

✔ Fairness

Fair sharing means each person receives the same amount, even if shapes vary.

✔ Fraction Size

When the same whole is divided into more equal parts, each part is smaller.

✔ Stories Before Symbols

Children develop fractional reasoning through actions, stories, and models before learning formal symbols (½, ⅓, ¼).

✔ Multiple Representations

Students represent their understanding through:

  • models
  • drawings
  • brick-counts
  • written sentences
  • oral explanations

📚 Standards Alignment

Common Core:1.G.A.3 — partition shapes into equal shares; 2.G.A.3 — describe halves, thirds, quarters; MP1, MP2, MP3 — reasoning, problem solving, communication
Cambridge Primary:M2.3 — equal parts, simple fractions; M2.2 — describing quantities and reasoning
IB PYP:Inquiry-based learning; Hands-on construction; Communicating mathematical thinking

🧩 Unit Structure

Unit 2 contains five lessons, each designed to build on student understanding progressively.

2.1

Equal Parts: Halves & Quarters

Students explore what makes parts equal by dividing simple LEGO models into two and four equal shares. They learn that equal shares do not need identical shapes — only equal amount.

Key skills:
  • counting
  • partitioning
  • checking fairness
  • reasoning aloud
2.2

Fair Sharing Challenge

Students apply equal-sharing ideas in real-life scenarios. Working in groups, they divide their models between "two people" and "four people," using justification and reasoning to check fairness.

Key skills:
  • comparison
  • collaboration
  • verbal explanation
  • fairness reasoning
2.3

Building with Thirds

Students investigate how to split models into three equal shares, one of the most cognitively challenging early-fraction concepts. They compare strategies and reconstruct their models into thirds.

Key skills:
  • strategy development
  • flexibility
  • explaining equal shares
  • discovering patterns
2.4

Comparing Fraction Sizes

Students compare halves, thirds, and quarters of the same whole. They observe that more shares lead to smaller pieces — a foundational fraction principle.

Key skills:
  • comparing quantities
  • pattern recognition
  • justifying reasoning
  • multiple representations
2.5

Fraction Stories

A creative culmination of the unit. Students build LEGO models and use them to tell math stories involving equal shares. They link actions → models → numbers → drawings, developing reasoning and expressive language.

Key skills:
  • narrative math
  • modeling
  • explanation
  • representation

🧰 Teacher Toolkit

Materials Needed

  • 200–400 mixed LEGO bricks per group
  • 1 device with Brickit App for scanning
  • sorting trays (optional)
  • mini-whiteboards or printed Student Sheets

Recommended Group Structure

  • 2–4 students per group
  • rotate roles: scanner, builder, explainer, recorder
  • every student participates in counting and reasoning

Teacher Prompts Used Across the Unit

  • "How do you know these parts are equal?"
  • "What makes this division fair?"
  • "Does equal mean identical?"
  • "How many bricks are in each share?"
  • "Why is this share larger or smaller?"
  • "Show your thinking with your model."

🧮 Skills Progression Across Unit 2

Skill Domain Early Lesson (2.1–2.2) Mid Lesson (2.3) Final Lessons (2.4–2.5)
Equal Shares halves, quarters thirds using all three consistently
Fairness comparing brick amounts adjusting to make equal explaining fairness in stories
Reasoning simple statements comparative reasoning general rules & narrative
Modeling basic models rebuilding into thirds combining models and stories
Representation drawings + numbers multiple forms structured math stories

🧭 Teacher Notes for Successful Lessons

  • Always start from actions and models, not from abstract fraction symbols.
  • Reinforce the idea: Equal = same number of bricks.
  • Use scanning and building routines consistently — they keep students engaged.
  • Encourage students to test fairness rather than assume it.
  • Allow creative but purposeful rebuilding — variation deepens understanding.
  • Promote discussion: the unit works best when children explain their thinking aloud.

📚 Navigation

← Back to Curriculum Map ← Unit 1: Counting & Number Sense

All 5 lessons are accessible from the Quick Access section above or from individual lesson cards.