Standard

Partition circles and rectangles into two, three, or four equal shares, describe the shares using the words halves, thirds, half of, a third of, etc., and describe the whole as two halves, three thirds, four fourths. Recognize that equal shares of identical wholes need not have the same shape.

Student language:

• "I can divide shapes into equal parts."
• "I can use fractions to describe the equal parts of a shape."

Explanation

About the Math, Learning Targets, and Rigor

This standard calls for students to partition (divide) circles and rectangles into 2, 3 or 4 equal shares (regions). Students should be given ample experiences to explore this concept with paper strips and pictorial representations.

Students should also work with the vocabulary terms halves, thirds, half of, third of, and fourth (or quarter) of. While students are working on this standard, teachers should help them to make the connection that a “whole” is composed of two halves, three thirds, or four fourths.

For example, students should recognize that when they cut a circle into three equal pieces, each piece will equal one third of its original whole. In this case, students should describe the whole as three thirds. If a circle is cut into four equal pieces, each piece will equal one fourth of its original whole and the whole is described as four fourths.

This standard also addresses the idea that equal shares of identical wholes may not have the same shape. It is important for students to see circles and rectangles partitioned in multiple ways so they learn to recognize that equal shares can be different shapes within the same whole.

Resources

Videos

• Khan Academy
  • scroll to find 2.G.3, click on a skill, watch videos on left side in each skill
• Learn Zillion

EngageNY Lessons

Extra Practice

• North Carolina Tasks
• Illustrative Math Tasks
• Howard County Tasks
  • Click on 2nd grade at bottom, then 2.G.3
• Common Core Sheets

Released Assessment Questions

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