Two Equal Parts From Up to Ten

Original lesson metadata

code: "EMP-HALV-L1-T1-WK10"
curriculum_id: "halving"
curriculum_name: "Halving"
level_id: "L1"
level_name: "All Ages"
age_line: "around 2 to around 6"
term: 1
week: 10
title: "Two Equal Parts From Up to Ten"
slug: "week-10"
aim: "Split a group of up to ten into two equal parts and check both sides match."
blocks_this_week: 5
minutes_per_block: 6
weekly_minutes: 30
blocks: [{"n":1,"title":"Verify the Two Block Split","minutes":6,"aim":"Independently split two and verify one block on each mat.","staging":"Give each child two central blocks and empty mats. Keep your hands beside you while they distribute, match partners and show both starting blocks are used. Read \"Two equal groups have the same number of blocks.\" Leave the pair still for the explanation, then reset.","say":"Start with these two blocks. Make the groups match and show me the partners. Have both blocks been used?"},{"n":2,"title":"Verify the Four Block Split","minutes":6,"aim":"Independently split four and verify two blocks on each mat.","staging":"Reset four central blocks and empty mats for each child. Let them place the first block and continue through the group. Ask for both pair checks with your hands still. Leave time to look at the centre, then return all four for the next turn.","say":"Now use all four blocks. Show me two groups with the same number. How can you check your groups?"},{"n":3,"title":"Verify the Six Block Split","minutes":6,"aim":"Independently split six and verify three blocks on each mat.","staging":"Prepare six in a loose central group with empty mats. Children share equally, check three pairs and look back at the centre. Stay beside the table without straightening their columns. Hear how the groups match, then reset all six.","say":"These six blocks need two equal groups. Check each partner after you share. What tells you that no block is missing?"},{"n":4,"title":"Verify the Eight Block Split","minutes":6,"aim":"Independently split eight and verify four blocks on each mat.","staging":"Offer eight central blocks and empty mats. Children distribute, arrange partners and check all four pairs, including the far end. Keep access clear so they can move around the table. Finish with the centre empty, then return the same eight for another turn.","say":"Share these eight blocks and check every pair. Look at the far end too. Are both groups complete?"},{"n":5,"title":"Check Ten and Review All the Splits","minutes":6,"aim":"Split a group of up to ten into two equal parts and check both sides match.","staging":"Give each child all ten central blocks with empty mats. Let them share, check five pairs and show where the full set went. Return to an unfinished smaller total from the earlier turns when needed. Leave each completed split visible for the child's explanation, then reset. Keep an odd group's unmatched block visible whenever recalling its limit.","say":"Use all ten blocks for this last turn. Check all the partners and the empty middle. What shows that both sides match?"}]
domains: ["M","PD","CL"]
objectives: [{"domain":"M","text":"Split a group of up to ten into two equal parts and check both sides match."},{"domain":"PD","text":"Distribute whole blocks between the mats and arrange them for a clear partner check."},{"domain":"CL","text":"Say or show why the two groups match and all starting blocks are used."}]
materials: ["Ten matching large solid blocks from smooth untreated wood offcuts freely given and prepared by someone with suitable tools before the lesson, or an existing borrowed set; each must be safe for the children to handle and free of splinters, residue and loose parts","Two flat pieces of clean reclaimed cardboard, each roomy enough for six chosen blocks in a column with gaps","An old box kept by you for blocks outside the chosen total","The supplied Two Equal Groups Reference on an existing screen or copied onto used paper"]
space: "A stable low table or clear indoor floor holding two flat sharing mats at least fifty centimetres square, a central starting space and a clear view for up to four children. Enlarge either mat if six chosen blocks cannot fit in a column with clear gaps. Keep access around the edges so the active child can reach both mats by changing position without leaning over blocks."
differentiation: {"younger":"Accept a complete visible partner check for smaller totals and record the actual help needed for larger totals.","older":"Complete the five even totals independently, confirming matching pairs and the empty source space each time."}
watching_for: "Watch the child's own distribution and partner check for each even total, including the empty starting space."
resources: []
version: 1
date: "2026-09-09"
access: "Free"
publisher: "Empathy Global"
author: "Eric Gonzalez-Payne"
author_url: "https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-gp/"
copyright: "© 2026 Empathy Global. All rights reserved."
licence: "Free to read. Licensed for use in any setting by holders of an Empathy Global account, free or paid. Not licensed for reproduction, redistribution, resale or use in a setting by anyone else."
source_url: "https://empathy.global/curriculum/halving/"

HALVING · TWO EQUAL GROUPS WITH WHOLE BLOCKS

ALL AGES · around 2 to around 6 · TERM 1, WEEK 10 · 5 × 6


DOMAINS: M, PD, CL
CODE: EMP-HALV-L1-T1-WK10
DAY & DATE:

Objectives

M Split a group of up to ten into two equal parts and check both sides match.
PD Distribute whole blocks between the mats and arrange them for a clear partner check.
CL Say or show why the two groups match and all starting blocks are used.

Before the two mat turns

You will want to leave one good split ready for the next child. Reset the centre. You need empty mats and the whole starting group before each fresh turn.

One child will copy the previous arrangement before you have reset the centre. Clear both mats into the known source group before inviting the next child. The starting state must not contain part of the answer.

Two children will say the correct counts while one block is still central. Ask them to show where all starting blocks have gone, then let them revisit the distribution. Do not move the missing block while listening to their explanation.

How we use the sharing space

Stay beside the sharing surface with up to four children. Give individual turns. Keep unused blocks in your box outside the display.
Use matching large, solid, single piece blocks suitable for the children. Check for smooth surfaces, sound edges and no cracks, splinters, residue, loose fittings or detachable parts. No small counters, coins, beads, seeds, food or broken pieces. Keep blocks out of mouths.
Use a stable low table or clear floor and two flat sharing mats. Leave room for six blocks in each column with clear gaps and a starting group between the mats. Let children move around to reach, without leaning over blocks.
Place one block gently at a time. Keep fingers clear. No throwing, stacking, standing on blocks or carrying piles.
Keep blocks whole. No cutting, tearing, breaking or food sharing. The centre holds the starting group; it is not a third share.
Use every starting block and check every partner. Never add, hide or remove one to make the groups look equal. Keep any unmatched block visible and name the limit.
If anything unfamiliar enters, stop and move back without touching it. Continue in another clear place after the usual response.

Five Short Sharing Turns

Verify the Two Block Split · 6 minutes

AIM: Independently split two and verify one block on each mat.

Give each child two central blocks and empty mats. Keep your hands beside you while they distribute, match partners and show both starting blocks are used. Read "Two equal groups have the same number of blocks." Leave the pair still for the explanation, then reset.

SAY: "Start with these two blocks. Make the groups match and show me the partners. Have both blocks been used?"

Verify the Four Block Split · 6 minutes

AIM: Independently split four and verify two blocks on each mat.

Use one minute to introduce the turn, four minutes for individual attempts with a reset between children, and one minute for the closing check. Reset four central blocks for each child. Hear or see the child’s distribution and two pair check, with no supplied starting placement. Close by recording any support separately from the result.

SAY: "Now use all four blocks. Show me two groups with the same number. How can you check your groups?"

Verify the Six Block Split · 6 minutes

AIM: Independently split six and verify three blocks on each mat.

Use one minute to introduce the turn, four minutes for individual attempts with a reset between children, and one minute for the closing check. Prepare six in a loose central group. Invite an equal split and a complete three pair check, then let the child inspect the centre. Close by recording all blocks used and how the match was checked.

SAY: "These six blocks need two equal groups. Check each partner after you share. What tells you that no block is missing?"

Verify the Eight Block Split · 6 minutes

AIM: Independently split eight and verify four blocks on each mat.

Use one minute to introduce the turn, four minutes for individual attempts with a reset between children, and one minute for the closing check. Offer eight central blocks and empty mats. Let the child distribute, arrange partners and check all four pairs, including the far end. Close by recording the independent actions and any assistance.

SAY: "Share these eight blocks and check every pair. Look at the far end too. Are both groups complete?"

Check Ten and Review All the Splits · 6 minutes

AIM: Split a group of up to ten into two equal parts and check both sides match.

Use one minute to introduce the turn, four minutes for individual attempts with a reset between children, and one minute for the closing check. Give each child all ten blocks for an equal split and five pair check, then review that child’s earlier two, four, six and eight records in the close. Record a complete outcome for the successful even totals and identify any still needing help. Retain week eight’s odd total limit: no equal whole block split is claimed for an unmatched original group.

SAY: "Use all ten blocks for this last turn. Check all the partners and the empty middle. What shows that both sides match?"

If you have more time

After the record review in block five, add three minutes for a fresh attempt at one earlier incomplete even total, with its support recorded separately.

A small sharing conversation

Invite your child to explain how they checked one equal sharing turn. Giving a reason makes the matching groups more than a remembered arrangement.

Look for a complete match

The child shares each even total from two to ten into equal parts and checks every partner with no starting block left unused.

Notes: