Students build a deep and flexible understanding of ½ and one whole by trying to spy ½ in a complex geometric image. Students make a border around shapes inside a piece of art and then state what is a half and how they know. This activity can be adapted to other fractions. We have included a challenge sheet that has three colors for more complex discussions of ½.
The lesson plan and materials are provided in Google Slides— click below to view the slides or make your own copy of them. Slides labeled with a “T” in the upper right corner are included for teacher information about the lesson. Slides labeled with an “S” in the upper right corner are for students. If handouts are needed there are links to them in the teacher slides. All slides can be adapted.
Adapted from Mindset Mathematics Grade 3, Visualizing and Investigating Big Ideas by Boaler, Munson & Williams.
