A first-grade math center needs manipulatives, such as counters, buttons, playing cards, dominoes, empty egg cartons and tanagrams. These materials allow students to move objects and solve math problems through trial and error. After reviewing the meaning of equal, encourage students to take large numbers of these manipulatives and divide them equally into various sets. Students can use the egg carton to separate the materials and count the number of sets created.
To demonstrate the process of dividing equally, take the students to the playground for a people division activity. Separate the class into groups by equally dividing the number of children. Once in the smaller groups, students will collaborate on ways to further divide themselves. As an extension activity, invite one or two other first-grade classes to join you and work on dividing a large number of students into progressively smaller groups. At the end of the activity, the students can record the number of sets they equally divided into.
Casually introduce first-graders to fractions by equally dividing up food at snack and lunch times. By working with a flat circle-shaped food item, such as a pizza or quesadillas, students will divide the food equally by first slicing it in half and then into quarter sections. Also slice fruit for students into equal sections and encourage them to break snacks, such as crackers or raisins, into equal groups. These activities will slowly integrate division into the classroom without intimidating the students.
First-grade teachers adhere to a strict routine and time schedule to keep children engaged and work toward their learning goals. Creating a written schedule for the class not only allows them to anticipate the day's events, but also presents an opportunity to review the concept of dividing equally. Break the daily activities into equal chunks of time and count with the children the sets of hours, half-hours and more that occur throughout the day. Also, make a school-year calendar that divides the year into four equal parts and create goals and rewards for each quarter.