---
code: "EMP-HALV-L1-T1-WK7"
curriculum_id: "halving"
curriculum_name: "Halving"
level_id: "L1"
level_name: "All Ages"
age_line: "around 2 to around 6"
term: 1
week: 7
title: "Repair Two Unequal Groups"
slug: "week-7"
aim: "Move blocks between two unequal groups of an even total until both groups match."
blocks_this_week: 5
minutes_per_block: 6
weekly_minutes: 30
blocks: [{"n":1,"title":"Repair Three and One","minutes":6,"aim":"Redistribute four blocks from three and one to two and two.","staging":"Set three on one mat and one on the other. Invite a pair check, one transfer from the group with more, and a second check. Read \"Move a block, then check both sides again.\" Close with all four still on the two mats.","say":"These groups do not match yet. Move one block from the side with more. What does the new check show?"},{"n":2,"title":"Repair Four and Two","minutes":6,"aim":"Redistribute six blocks from four and two to three and three.","staging":"Arrange four and two with the centre empty. Let each child find the unmatched blocks and transfer one to the smaller group. Close by making three opposite pairs and confirming the total remains six.","say":"Find the blocks without partners. Try moving one to the other group. Check both sides before you move another."},{"n":3,"title":"Repair Five and Three","minutes":6,"aim":"Redistribute eight blocks from five and three to four and four.","staging":"Prepare five and three, then invite the child to check, transfer one and recheck. Keep every block in view and do not put one aside. Close with four pairs and the same eight blocks used.","say":"All eight blocks are already on the mats. Change their groups so every block has a partner. What move will you try?"},{"n":4,"title":"Repair Six and Four","minutes":6,"aim":"Redistribute ten blocks from six and four to five and five.","staging":"Place six and four with enough mat space for the initial group of six. Invite one transfer from the group with more, then five pair checks. Close by confirming no block entered from storage or left the task.","say":"One group has six; the other has four. Move one from the group with more. How do the groups match now?"},{"n":5,"title":"Choose and Verify a Repair","minutes":6,"aim":"Move blocks between two unequal groups of an even total until both groups match.","staging":"Place one of the reference's four unequal arrangements on the two mats and state its total. Keep your hands beside the display while the child chooses a transfer and checks every partner. Ask where all the original blocks are now. Leave the repaired groups visible for their explanation, then reset.","say":"Here is an unequal arrangement to repair. Use only its starting blocks. Show me the move and your check."}]
domains: ["M","CL"]
objectives: [{"domain":"M","text":"Move existing blocks between two unequal groups while keeping their even total."},{"domain":"M","text":"Check and continue until both groups match."},{"domain":"CL","text":"Describe moving one block from the group with more to the group with fewer."}]
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":"Begin with three and one, use a modelled pair check and let the child make the repair move.","older":"Repair six and four within a ten block total and explain why transferring one changes both groups."}
watching_for: "Whether the child repairs the distribution using existing blocks rather than adding from storage or hiding a block."
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**

# Repair Two Unequal Groups

**ALL AGES · around 2 to around 6 · TERM 1, WEEK 7 · 5 × 6**

|  |
| :-: |
| **DOMAINS:** M, CL |
| **CODE:** EMP-HALV-L1-T1-WK7 |
| **DAY & DATE:** |

## Objectives
1. **M** Move existing blocks between two unequal groups while keeping their even total.
2. **M** Check and continue until both groups match.
3. **CL** Describe moving one block from the group with more to the group with fewer.

## Before the two mat turns

You may fetch another block when the smaller group needs a partner. Keep storage out of reach. You need to move one of the blocks already in the task.

Two children will reach towards storage when the smaller group needs a partner. Keep that box outside the display and point to the original blocks on the mats. The repair must preserve the starting total.

One child will move both unmatched blocks across and make the opposite group larger. Stop after a single transfer in the next model and check both sides before moving anything else. The check decides whether another move is needed.

## How we use the sharing space

1. Stay beside the sharing surface with up to four children. Give individual turns. Keep unused blocks in your box outside the display.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Place one block gently at a time. Keep fingers clear. No throwing, stacking, standing on blocks or carrying piles.
5. Keep blocks whole. No cutting, tearing, breaking or food sharing. The centre holds the starting group; it is not a third share.
6. 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.
7. If anything unfamiliar enters, stop and move back without touching it. Continue in another clear place after the usual response.

## Five Short Sharing Turns

### Repair Three and One · 6 minutes

AIM: Redistribute four blocks from three and one to two and two.

Set three on one mat and one on the other. Invite a pair check, one transfer from the group with more, and a second check. Read "Move a block, then check both sides again." Close with all four still on the two mats.

> SAY: "These groups do not match yet. Move one block from the side with more. What does the new check show?"

### Repair Four and Two · 6 minutes

AIM: Redistribute six blocks from four and two to three and three.

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 four and two with the centre empty. Let each child find the unmatched blocks and transfer one to the smaller group. Close by making three opposite pairs and confirming the total remains six.

> SAY: "Find the blocks without partners. Try moving one to the other group. Check both sides before you move another."

### Repair Five and Three · 6 minutes

AIM: Redistribute eight blocks from five and three to four and four.

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 five and three, then invite the child to check, transfer one and recheck. Keep every block in view and do not put one aside. Close with four pairs and the same eight blocks used.

> SAY: "All eight blocks are already on the mats. Change their groups so every block has a partner. What move will you try?"

### Repair Six and Four · 6 minutes

AIM: Redistribute ten blocks from six and four to five and 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. Place six and four with enough mat space for the initial group of six. Invite one transfer from the group with more, then five pair checks. Close by confirming no block entered from storage or left the task.

> SAY: "One group has six; the other has four. Move one from the group with more. How do the groups match now?"

### Choose and Verify a Repair · 6 minutes

AIM: Move blocks between two unequal groups of an even total until both groups 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. Offer one of the reference’s four unequal arrangements for each child, stating the original total. Let the child choose a repair and check all partners and the total. Record the arrangement and any prompt; smaller successful repairs are distinct from a ten block repair.

> SAY: "Here is an unequal arrangement to repair. Use only its starting blocks. Show me the move and your check."

## If you have more time
1. After block five’s repair, add two minutes to explain where the transferred block came from and why the total stayed the same.

## A small sharing conversation
Ask your child why a sharing repair should use the blocks already in the group. Keeping the original total makes the repaired split answer the same task.

## Look for a complete match
The child transfers existing blocks until the two groups match without changing the total.

**Notes:**



Halving · Curriculum system designed by Eric Gonzalez-Payne · © 2026 Empathy Global · Free with an Empathy Global account