Classroom · Fractions · 1st and 2nd grade

Halves, thirds and fourths worksheets

A free five-page pack for 1st and 2nd grade: learn to split shapes into halves, thirds and fourths, with a worked example, practice pages, word problems and an answer key.

Download the halves, thirds and fourths pack(5 pages, color)Ink saver (B&W)

Watch it solved

48 sec · with voice and captions

A pencil works one example of each activity, so you can see how the worksheet goes before you print it. Tap a step to jump to it. The rest of the sheet is left for your child to finish.

Read what the video says

0:00 Let's practice halves, thirds and fourths, step by step.
0:04 A fraction is a part of a whole, and the parts must be equal. This circle has 4 equal parts, and 3 are shaded: 3/4.
0:13 What fraction is shaded? There are 4 equal parts, and 3 are shaded. That's 3/4.
0:20 Color to show 1/2. The bottom number, 2, means 2 equal parts. Color 1 of them.
0:26 Are the parts equal? Yes, all the parts are the same size, so circle yes.
0:32 Word problems. Sara breaks a cookie into 2 equal parts and eats 1. What fraction did Sara eat? The answer is one half.
0:41 Great job! Now print the free worksheet, and finish the rest on your own.

How to do it

A fraction is a part of a whole. The parts must be equal. Two equal parts are halves, three are thirds and four are fourths.

Teaching tip

Fold paper squares and circles. Children can check that the parts are equal by laying one on top of the other.

Try some

Tap to check3/4
Tap to check1/2
Tap to check2/4
Tap to check1/3
Tap to check2/3
Tap to check1/3
Tap to check1/2
Tap to check1/4

Word problems

Sara breaks a cookie into 2 equal parts and eats 1. What fraction did Sara eat?Show answer

one half (1/2)

A cake is cut into 4 equal pieces. Leo takes 1 piece. What fraction is that?Show answer

one fourth (1/4)

A sandwich is cut into 3 equal parts. How many parts make the whole sandwich?Show answer

3 thirds

Sara cuts an apple into 2 pieces, one big and one small. Are they halves?Show answer

No. Halves must be equal.

What the worksheets look like

Halves, thirds and fourths worksheet: how fractions work, then shapes to name — Page 1: how fractions work, then shapes to name

Fraction wall

Strips for one whole, halves, thirds and so on to twelfths, to compare and find equal fractions.

Template(1 page, color)Ink saver (B&W)

Common questions

How do you teach halves, thirds and fourths?

A fraction is a part of a whole. The parts must be equal. Two equal parts are halves, three are thirds and four are fourths. Fold paper squares and circles. Children can check that the parts are equal by laying one on top of the other.

What grade learns halves, thirds and fourths?

Usually 1st and 2nd grade. In the Common Core it is part of 1.G.A.3, 2.G.A.3.

Is there an answer key?

Yes. Page 5 has every answer from the pack and a short teaching tip.