Ten Blocks, Five on Each Side

Original lesson metadata

code: "EMP-HALV-L1-T1-WK5"
curriculum_id: "halving"
curriculum_name: "Halving"
level_id: "L1"
level_name: "All Ages"
age_line: "around 2 to around 6"
term: 1
week: 5
title: "Ten Blocks, Five on Each Side"
slug: "week-5"
aim: "Split ten whole blocks into two equal groups and check that each has five."
blocks_this_week: 5
minutes_per_block: 6
weekly_minutes: 30
blocks: [{"n":1,"title":"Keep the Complete Ten Together","minutes":6,"aim":"Identify ten starting blocks with none remaining outside the task.","staging":"Place the full ten block set in the centre and show that the storage box is empty. Let each child indicate or count the group before sharing, with a fresh reset between turns. Close by checking that both receiving mats are still empty.","say":"These are all ten of our blocks. None is waiting in the box. Look at the whole group before you begin."},{"n":2,"title":"Share Through the Last Two Blocks","minutes":6,"aim":"Continue alternating until all ten blocks are on the two mats.","staging":"Invite the child to distribute the whole central group, leaving the last two source blocks side by side until their turns. Read \"Give every block a partner on the other side.\" Close by checking that the final move did not put both remaining blocks on one mat.","say":"Keep sharing one block at a time. The last two need places too. Check where each of them belongs."},{"n":3,"title":"Point to Five Distinct Pairs","minutes":6,"aim":"Verify that each of five blocks on one mat has one opposite partner.","staging":"Arrange the completed groups in clear columns, then invite one point to each opposite pair. Open a gap if two neighbouring blocks touch and obscure the count. Close by asking the child to locate the fifth pair again.","say":"Look along the whole column. Show one partner across from each block. Do not leave the last pair unchecked."},{"n":4,"title":"Check the Middle and the Box","minutes":6,"aim":"Confirm a matched ten block split uses the full original set.","staging":"Give a fresh ten block distribution turn, then invite checks of both groups, the centre and the empty storage box. Do not remove a block to create a false success. Close by tracing where all ten original blocks now sit.","say":"Both groups have partners. Look at the middle and the box as well. Have all ten blocks reached the two mats?"},{"n":5,"title":"Ten Blocks in Two Matching Fives","minutes":6,"aim":"Split ten whole blocks into two equal groups and check that each has five.","staging":"Offer ten central blocks to each child and let them distribute, pair and confirm the full group is used. Counting five on each mat can support the visible check. Do not complete the last move for the child. Leave the two fives visible for a final look, then reset.","say":"Make two equal groups from all ten blocks. Show me five matching pairs. What tells you the whole group is shared?"}]
domains: ["M","CL"]
objectives: [{"domain":"M","text":"Split ten whole blocks into two equal groups and check that each has five."},{"domain":"CL","text":"State that both groups match after checking five partners."}]
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":"Use a close visible row of partners and accept a complete pointing check; record an adult model for any part of the distribution.","older":"Share ten independently, check five pairs and explain how the empty centre confirms all starting blocks are used."}
watching_for: "Whether the child includes the fifth pair and checks that no original block is hidden in storage or left outside the two groups."
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 5 · 5 × 6


DOMAINS: M, CL
CODE: EMP-HALV-L1-T1-WK5
DAY & DATE:

Objectives

M Split ten whole blocks into two equal groups and check that each has five.
CL State that both groups match after checking five partners.

Before the two mat turns

You may squeeze the last two blocks onto mats that are too small. Give the columns more room. You need five separate partners visible on each side.

One child will push the fifth block close against the fourth and point to both as one. Leave a finger width of clear mat between neighbouring blocks before the next check, with each opposite partner still visible.

Two children will stop sharing when a mat looks full. Check the actual usable space for five chosen blocks before teaching and increase the mat size if needed. The surface should not decide the size of the share.

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

Keep the Complete Ten Together · 6 minutes

AIM: Identify ten starting blocks with none remaining outside the task.

Use one minute to introduce the turn, four minutes for individual attempts with a reset between children, and one minute for the closing check. Place the full ten block set in the centre and show that the storage box is empty. Let each child indicate or count the group before sharing, with a fresh reset between turns. Close by checking that both receiving mats are still empty.

SAY: "These are all ten of our blocks. None is waiting in the box. Look at the whole group before you begin."

Share Through the Last Two Blocks · 6 minutes

AIM: Continue alternating until all ten blocks are on the two mats.

Invite the child to distribute the whole central group, leaving the last two source blocks side by side until their turns. Read "Give every block a partner on the other side." Close by checking that the final move did not put both remaining blocks on one mat.

SAY: "Keep sharing one block at a time. The last two need places too. Check where each of them belongs."

Point to Five Distinct Pairs · 6 minutes

AIM: Verify that each of five blocks on one mat has one opposite partner.

Use one minute to introduce the turn, four minutes for individual attempts with a reset between children, and one minute for the closing check. Arrange the completed groups in clear columns, then invite one point to each opposite pair. Open a gap if two neighbouring blocks touch and obscure the count. Close by asking the child to locate the fifth pair again.

SAY: "Look along the whole column. Show one partner across from each block. Do not leave the last pair unchecked."

Check the Middle and the Box · 6 minutes

AIM: Confirm a matched ten block split uses the full original set.

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 a fresh ten block distribution turn, then invite checks of both groups, the centre and the empty storage box. Do not remove a block to create a false success. Close by tracing where all ten original blocks now sit.

SAY: "Both groups have partners. Look at the middle and the box as well. Have all ten blocks reached the two mats?"

Ten Blocks in Two Matching Fives · 6 minutes

AIM: Split ten whole blocks into two equal groups and check that each has five.

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 ten central blocks to each child and let them distribute, pair and confirm the full group is used. Counting five on each mat can support the visible check. Record any adult intervention, and do not complete the last move for the child.

SAY: "Make two equal groups from all ten blocks. Show me five matching pairs. What tells you the whole group is shared?"

If you have more time

After the final check in block five, add two minutes to name five on each side while leaving the paired columns still.

A small sharing conversation

Ask your child why the middle needs checking after the two groups look equal. An empty starting space helps show that every block has been used.

Look for a complete match

The child uses all ten blocks in two groups of five and checks the pairs and empty centre.

Notes: