When we talk about fractions, we're diving into a world of parts and wholes. Take the fraction 1/8, for instance. This represents one part out of eight equal parts that make up a whole. Imagine slicing a delicious pizza into eight equal slices; if you take just one slice, you've taken 1/8 of the pizza!
In Year 3 mathematics, children begin to grasp these concepts more deeply. They learn about unit fractions like 1/8—fractions where the numerator (the top number) is one—and how they relate to other fractions with different denominators.
To help your child understand what it means when we say 'one-eighth,' consider using real-life examples or hands-on activities at home. For example, if you're baking cupcakes and decide to divide them among friends, ask your child how many cupcakes each person would get if you had eight in total and wanted to share them equally.
Another fun way to visualize this is through paper folding or creating fraction snowflakes! Fold a piece of paper into eight equal sections and then cut patterns along those folds. Each section will represent an eighth—a tangible way for kids to see what that fraction looks like.
You can also engage in conversations around food—perhaps while enjoying cake or pie together. If you cut dessert into eight pieces and enjoy just one piece yourself, that's another practical demonstration of taking 1/8!
As children progress through their understanding of fractions in Year 3, they'll start comparing different unit fractions too—realizing that as the denominator increases (like going from eighths to tenths), each individual piece becomes smaller relative to the whole.
Encouraging curiosity by asking questions such as ‘How many pieces do we have left?’ after sharing some can spark interest in learning more about numbers and relationships between them.