Primary 1 maths · Operations · About 8 minutes

Share or group equally within 20

Decide first whether the question states the number of groups or the size of one group.

What you will learn

Models used: number sentences, stories, tables.

Share 12 counters between 4 children. Nobody has any yet.

Each plate is one share. Counters outside the plates have not been shared yet.
Share 12 counters between 4 children. Nobody has any yet.
Twelve shared among 3 gives 4 each. Twelve put into groups of 3 gives 4 groups. The same numbers answer different questions.
Friend 1: 0
Friend 2: 0
Friend 3: 0
Friend 4: 0
Each plate is one share. Counters outside the plates have not been shared yet.
Give each child one counter. Everyone must receive the same amount.
Equal sharing means every share has the same amount. Check both conditions: the shares match, and all the starting objects are accounted for.
Friend 1: 1
Friend 2: 1
Friend 3: 1
Friend 4: 1
Each plate is one share. Counters outside the plates have not been shared yet.
Keep going around. After three rounds, the counters are all shared.
Equal sharing means every share has the same amount. Check both conditions: the shares match, and all the starting objects are accounted for.
None left
Friend 1: 3
Friend 2: 3
Friend 3: 3
Friend 4: 3
There are 4 groups, with 3 objects in each group. Count a group before counting them all.
Each child receives 3. Four equal shares of 3 make our original 12.
12 ÷ 4 = 3
3 + 3 + 3 + 3 = 4 × 3 = 12

What did the picture help us see?

Each child receives 3. Four equal shares of 3 make our original 12.

What is 12 ÷ 3?

The unknown is the amount in one share.
Total to share	Number of equal shares
12	3

The unknown is the amount in one share. Read each value with the heading above its column.
Decide first whether the question states the number of groups or the size of one group.
Division finds how many equal-sized units make the total.
The unknown is the amount in one share.
Total to share Number of equal shares
12 3
The unknown is the amount in one share. Read each value with the heading above its column.
12 ÷ 3 asks how many 3s make 12.
The unknown is the amount in one share.
Total to share Number of equal shares
12 3
What is 12 ÷ 3?
4
The unknown is the amount in one share. Read each value with the heading above its column.
12 ÷ 3 asks how many 3s make 12.
The unknown is the amount in one share.
Total to share Number of equal shares
12 3
The unknown is the amount in one share. Read each value with the heading above its column.
3 × 4 = 12.
The unknown is the amount in one share.
Total to share Number of equal shares
12 3
The unknown is the amount in one share. Read each value with the heading above its column.
So 12 ÷ 3 = 4.
The unknown is the amount in one share.
Total to share Number of equal shares
12 3
The unknown is the amount in one share. Read each value with the heading above its column.
Check the result against the question we started with.
4 × 3 = 12.
We found 4. Division finds how many equal-sized units make the total.
The unknown is the amount in one share.
Total to share Number of equal shares
12 3

Sharing until it looks fair. Equal sharing ends when no counter is left that everyone can receive. Thirteen between two gives six each with one over, not “about six”.

Explain your reasoning to an adult, then try a fresh question in the interactive lesson. A result from one attempt is not proof of lasting mastery.

Find the missing partFind a missing part when the whole and one part are known · About 10 minutes
Missing numbers in take-awayFind the starting number when the parts are known · About 10 minutes
Add by combining two setsAdd by combining two sets · About 8 minutes
Subtract by taking awaySubtract by taking away · About 8 minutes
Connect addition and subtraction with number bondsConnect addition and subtraction with number bonds · About 8 minutes
Use +, − and = correctlyUse +, − and = correctly · About 8 minutes