Pumpkin pie fractions activity

In this fun maths activity for kids, students will gain an understanding of fractions by sharing a pumpkin pie amongst their friends at a Halloween party!

Fractions are important as they help us to be able to divide objects into equal and measurable parts. They tell you what portion of a whole you need, have, or want.

Activity: Pumpkin pie fractions activity

This is one of a set of resources developed to support the teaching of the primary national curriculum. They are designed to support the delivery of key topics within maths and science. This resource focuses on using a pumpkin pie cutting approach to teaching fractions. Learners will relate to this approach as pies are a common food that can be shared in equal parts.

This pumpkin pie fractions activity could be used as a starter or main activity to introduce fractions and can be developed further with other objects and a combination of halves and quarters. This exercise could be completed by individual learners or table groupings.

As a fun alternative to the handouts, actual pies could be used (or pizzas or pancakes or similar).

How long will this activity take?

This activity will take approximately 30-40 minutes to complete.

Tools/resources required

• Coloured pencils or crayons for completion of the handout activity

The engineering context

Fractions are an essential tool for engineers to ensure precise measurements and calculations in their work. Engineers use fractions extensively in their work, as fractions provide a way to express precise measurements and calculations. Engineers commonly use fractions to express measurements and dimensions of various objects, such as the height, width, and length of a building or the diameter of a pipe. Fractions are also used when working with ratios and proportions, which are important in many engineering applications. In manufacturing and construction, fractions are used to specify precise measurements for parts and components, which must fit together accurately.

Suggested learning outcomes

By the end of this activity students will be able to understand that a half and quarter are ‘fractions of’ a whole object, they will be able to recognise, find and name a half as one of two equal parts of a unit and they will be able to recognise, find and name a quarter as one of four equal parts of a unit. Additionally, they will be able to understand that fractions, halves and quarters, can be combined as part of a whole unit.

Download the free Pumpkin pie fractions activity sheet below!

All activity sheets and supporting resources are free to download, and all the documents are fully editable, so you can tailor them to your students’ and your schools’ needs.

The activity sheet includes teacher notes, guidance, useful web links, and links (where appropriate) to the national curriculum in each of the four devolved UK nations; England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

Please share your classroom learning highlights with us @IETeducation.