Lesson Plan
Whole & Half Heroes
Students will be able to identify 'whole' objects and understand the concept of 'half' as two equal parts, applying this understanding to various objects and situations.
Understanding 'whole' and 'half' is a critical foundational step for future fraction learning, developing early mathematical vocabulary and spatial reasoning in a fun and accessible way for Pre-K special education students.
Audience
Pre-K Special Education Students
Time
10 sessions, 30 minutes each
Approach
Explicit direct instruction, repetitive practice, and hands-on activities.
Materials
Manipulatives (e.g., playdough, paper plates, plastic fruit), Picture cards of whole and half items, Construction paper, Scissors, Markers/Crayons, Storybook about sharing, Day 1 Slide Deck, Day 1 Script, and Day 1 Activity: Making Halves
Prep
Gather Materials & Review
15-20 minutes per day
- Review the Whole & Half Heroes Lesson Plan for the day's specific activities and materials.
- Prepare any necessary physical manipulatives (e.g., cutting paper, having playdough ready).
- Ensure the digital materials like the Day 1 Slide Deck and Day 1 Script are ready for presentation.
- Print or prepare materials for the Day 1 Activity: Making Halves.
Step 1
Day 1: What is a Whole? What is a Half?
30 minutes
Introduction (5 minutes)
- Use the Day 1 Slide Deck to introduce 'whole' and 'half' using real-world examples.
- Follow the Day 1 Script for explicit direct instruction.
Guided Practice (15 minutes)
- Show students various objects (e.g., a whole apple, a whole cookie) and ask: 'Is this whole?'
- Model how to divide an object into two equal parts to make 'halves.'
- Have students echo 'whole' and 'half.'
Activity: Making Halves (10 minutes)
- Students complete the Day 1 Activity: Making Halves using playdough or paper circles, practicing dividing into two equal parts. Circulate to provide support and affirm correct understanding.
Step 2
Day 2: Finding Halves All Around Us
30 minutes
Review (10 minutes)
- Briefly review 'whole' and 'half' using new examples from the classroom (e.g., a whole book, half a sandwich).
- Ask students to identify 'whole' and 'half' items you show them.
Guided Exploration (15 minutes)
- Show picture cards of various items, some whole and some divided into halves. Ask students to identify them as 'whole' or 'half.'
- Discuss why some parts are 'halves' (equal) and others are not.
Quick Check (5 minutes)
- Ask students to draw a simple shape and try to draw a line to make 'half.' Provide individual support as needed.
Step 3
Day 3: Making Equal Shares
30 minutes
Introduction (10 minutes)
- Introduce the concept of 'equal shares' using a story or scenario about sharing with a friend (e.g., 'Two friends want to share a cookie. How can we make sure they both get the same amount?').
- Emphasize that 'half' means 'two equal shares.'
Hands-on Practice (15 minutes)
- Provide students with tangible items (e.g., small blocks, paper strips) and ask them to divide them into two 'equal shares' for two imaginary friends.
- Discuss and demonstrate what happens if the shares are not equal.
Share Out (5 minutes)
- Have a few students show how they made equal shares and explain their process.
Step 4
Day 4: Halves and Equal Shares Review
30 minutes
Combined Review (10 minutes)
- Present a mix of objects and images, asking students to identify 'whole,' 'half,' and whether parts are 'equal shares.'
- Use a 'thumbs up/thumbs down' response system for quick assessment.
Drawing Activity (15 minutes)
- Provide worksheets with simple shapes (circles, squares, rectangles).
- Instruct students to draw a line through each shape to create 'two equal shares' or 'halves.'
Discussion (5 minutes)
- Discuss completed worksheets, highlighting different ways to make halves and why they are 'equal.'
Step 5
Day 5: Halves Challenge!
30 minutes
Game Introduction (10 minutes)
- Introduce a simple 'Is It a Half?' game. Prepare various paper shapes, some cut exactly in half and some cut unequally.
- Explain the rules: students will hold up a 'Yes' card or 'No' card.
Playing the Game (15 minutes)
- Show each paper shape one by one. Students vote 'Yes' if it's two equal halves, 'No' if not.
- Briefly explain the reasoning for each answer.
Wrap-up (5 minutes)
- Affirm students' understanding and celebrate their 'Half Heroes' progress.
Step 6
Day 6: Introducing 'Not a Half'
30 minutes
Recap & New Concept (10 minutes)
- Briefly recap 'whole' and 'half' and the importance of 'equal.'
- Introduce the concept of 'not a half' by showing examples of unequal divisions.
Comparison Activity (15 minutes)
- Provide pairs of shapes: one divided into equal halves, one divided unequally. Ask students to point to the one that is 'half' and the one that is 'not a half.'
- Discuss the differences in size.
Creative Response (5 minutes)
- Ask students to crumple a piece of paper if it's 'not a half' and smooth it if it 'is a half' (after demonstrating).
Step 7
Day 7: Whole vs. Half Sort
30 minutes
Sorting Introduction (10 minutes)
- Set up two sorting bins or areas: 'Whole' and 'Half.'
- Review characteristics of each category.
Hands-on Sorting (15 minutes)
- Provide students with a collection of picture cards depicting whole objects and objects divided into halves.
- Students work individually or in small groups to sort the cards into the correct categories.
Group Check (5 minutes)
- Review the sorted cards as a class, correcting any misconceptions and celebrating accurate sorting.
Step 8
Day 8: Creating Halves Art
30 minutes
Artistic Introduction (10 minutes)
- Explain that they will be artists today, creating pictures that show 'halves.'
- Demonstrate folding a paper circle or square in half and decorating one side to be mirrored on the other.
Art Creation (15 minutes)
- Provide students with paper shapes, crayons, and markers.
- Encourage them to fold their paper, draw a line along the fold, and decorate to show two equal halves.
Art Show (5 minutes)
- Students share their 'halves art' with a partner or the class, explaining how they made halves.
Step 9
Day 9: Story Time & Halves
30 minutes
Story Introduction (10 minutes)
- Read an age-appropriate story that involves sharing or dividing objects (e.g., 'The Little Red Hen' or a story about sharing snacks).
- Before reading, tell students to listen for when characters share things 'equally' or make 'halves.'
Story Discussion (15 minutes)
- After reading, discuss instances in the story where characters made equal shares or halves.
- Ask questions like: 'Did they share fairly? How do you know?'
Reenactment/Drawing (5 minutes)
- Students can draw a scene from the story showing characters sharing equally, or role-play a simple sharing scenario.
Step 10
Day 10: The Great Half Party!
30 minutes
Celebration & Review (10 minutes)
- Congratulate students on becoming 'Whole & Half Heroes'!
- Briefly review all concepts through quick questions or showing flashcards.
Sharing Treat Activity (15 minutes)
- Provide a simple treat (e.g., a cracker, a small cookie) that can be easily broken or cut into two 'equal halves.'
- Guide students to carefully break/cut their treat into two equal parts and share one 'half' with a friend.
Farewell (5 minutes)
- Reiterate the importance of sharing equally and recognizing halves in their everyday lives.
use Lenny to create lessons.
No credit card needed
Slide Deck
Whole & Half Heroes!
Today we're learning about WHOLE and HALF!
Welcome students and get them settled. Introduce the exciting topic of the day: learning about WHOLE and HALF. Use an enthusiastic voice.
What is a WHOLE?
This is a WHOLE apple!
It's one complete thing.
It's not cut. It's not broken.
It's ALL there!
Hold up a whole, uncut apple. Emphasize that it is one complete thing. Use hand gestures to show its completeness.
WHOLE!
This is a WHOLE pizza!
Can you say 'WHOLE'?
Hold up a whole, uncut pizza. Ask students to echo 'WHOLE.' Ask them to point to things in the room that are whole (e.g., a whole book, a whole crayon).
What is a HALF?
We cut the WHOLE apple into two EQUAL parts.
Now we have two HALVES!
Each piece is a HALF.
Now, take the apple and cut it in half, showing the two equal pieces. Explain that these are halves. Emphasize 'equal parts.'
HALF!
The WHOLE pizza is cut into two EQUAL parts.
Each piece is a HALF!
Can you say 'HALF'?
Show a picture of a pizza cut into two equal halves. Ask students to say 'HALF.' Emphasize that both pieces are the same size.
Whole or Half?
Is this a WHOLE cookie or two HALVES?
Remember, for it to be HALVES, the pieces must be EQUAL!
Review quickly. Show a whole cookie, then a cookie broken into two unequal pieces. Ask if the broken pieces are halves (they are not because they are not equal). Reiterate 'equal parts'.
Time to Make Halves!
Now it's your turn to be a 'Half Hero!'
We will use playdough (or paper circles) to make WHOLES and then cut them into two EQUAL HALVES!
Introduce the activity. Explain they will use playdough or paper to make halves. Model one more time if necessary. Encourage them to try their best to make equal parts.
Script
Day 1: What is a Whole? What is a Half?
(Teacher begins class, welcoming students.)
"Good morning, my amazing 'Whole & Half Heroes'! Today we are going on an exciting adventure to learn about something called 'whole' and 'half.' These are super important words, and they help us understand shapes, food, and even how to share fairly!"
(Move to Day 1 Slide Deck Slide 1: 'Whole & Half Heroes!')
"Look at our title! We are going to be 'Whole & Half Heroes' today! Are you ready?"
(Move to Day 1 Slide Deck Slide 2: 'What is a WHOLE?')
"First, let's talk about 'WHOLE.' Everyone say 'WHOLE'!"
(Teacher holds up a whole, uncut apple or a picture of one.)
"Look at this apple. Is it cut? Is it broken? No! It's one complete thing, all together. This is a WHOLE apple. When something is whole, it means it's one complete piece, nothing is missing, and it's not cut up yet."
(Move to Day 1 Slide Deck Slide 3: 'WHOLE!')
"Here's a picture of a WHOLE pizza! Mmm, yummy! It hasn't been cut into slices yet. It's all one big, round pizza. Can you all point to something in our classroom that is WHOLE? Maybe a whole book? Or a whole pencil? Excellent!"
**(Move to Day 1 Slide Deck Slide 4: 'What is a HALF?')
"Now, let's learn about 'HALF.' Everyone say 'HALF'!"
(Teacher takes the whole apple and carefully cuts it into two equal pieces, demonstrating clearly.)
"Wow! Look what I did! I took our WHOLE apple, and I cut it right down the middle into two pieces. And guess what? These two pieces are EQUAL! That means they are exactly the same size. When we cut a whole into two EQUAL pieces, each piece is called a HALF!"
"So now we have two HALVES of an apple! One half for me, and one half for you!"
(Move to Day 1 Slide Deck Slide 5: 'HALF!')
"Look at our pizza now! It was a WHOLE pizza, but now it's cut into two EQUAL pieces. Each piece is a HALF! See how they are the same size? That's super important. For something to be a half, the two pieces have to be the same size, or EQUAL."
(Move to Day 1 Slide Deck Slide 6: 'Whole or Half?')
"Let's practice! I have a picture of a cookie here. Is this a WHOLE cookie, or do we have two HALVES?"
(Pause for student responses. If students say 'halves,' ask if the pieces are equal. If they are not, explain why it's not two halves.)
"That's right! It's a whole cookie if it's all together. If it's cut into two EQUAL parts, then it's two halves. Remember, the pieces MUST BE EQUAL!"
(Move to Day 1 Slide Deck Slide 7: 'Time to Make Halves!')
"You're doing fantastic, 'Whole & Half Heroes'! Now it's your turn to show what you know. We are going to do an activity where you get to make WHOLES and then turn them into HALVES!"
"I'm going to give everyone some playdough (or a paper circle). First, you'll make it into a nice, round WHOLE piece. Then, I want you to try to cut or pinch it right down the middle to make two EQUAL parts. You're going to make two HALVES!"
"I'll be walking around to help. Remember, try to make your halves as EQUAL as possible! Let's get started on our Day 1 Activity: Making Halves!"