Learning Outcome

Distributes a given set of objects to multiple recipients and uses repeated subtraction for solving division problems.

Objective

Children will be able to write the division sentence by sharing objects equally with groups.

Prerequisites

Children can

• understand basic addition and subtraction.
• recognise and make equal groups using objects or pictures.

Pre-teach Vocabulary

Children should be familiar with terms such as ‘share, equal, group, each, altogether, left over, divide, and fair’.

Introduction: Understanding Sharing Equally

Materials required:

1. Various small objects (buttons, pencils, beans, pebbles, button caps, and fruits, etc.)
2. Flashcards or number cards
3. Bowls or trays for grouping
4. Blackboard and chalk or whiteboard and markers
5. Student notebooks

The teacher could begin with a presentation of a situation.

• Ravi has 12 toffees. He wants to share them equally with his 3 friends. How many toffees will each friend get?
• Ask guiding questions: How can Ravi share them so that everyone gets the same number of toffees?
• Display a dozen toffees. Call three children and give one toffee to each of them. Distribute one toffee at a time until all toffees get distributed. Ask them to count the number of toffees each one received.
• Check if everyone got an equal number of toffees.
• Explain the concept of sharing equally.
• Use terms like ‘each’, ‘equal groups’, and ‘sharing’.

Note to the teacher: Use the ‘I Do, We Do, and You Do’ strategy.

I Do (Teacher Models):

• Teacher: Observe me as I solve this problem. I have 12 apples, and I want to distribute them equally across the three basket circles I have drawn. I will put one apple in each circle at a time until I have none left with me.
• The teacher can demonstrate by physical manipulatives (real apples, counters, or digital manipulatives on a smartboard) and draw it step-by-step on the board or chart paper.
• The teacher will say aloud, “I started with 12 apples. I shared them equally among the 3 groups (baskets). Each group has 4 apples. Let us now write the division sentence.
• I can write: 12 apples divided among 3 groups equals 4 apples in each group.
• Or we can write it in numeric form: 12 ÷ 3 = 4.

We Do (Guided practice):

• Problem: Now, let’s try one together. We have 15 blocks, and we want to share them equally with 5 children.
• The teacher calls five children and asks another child to come and share the blocks equally by giving one to each child. Once the blocks are shared, call another child to check if the blocks are distributed equally. Ask the child to count and find how many blocks each child received.
• As a class, discuss: How many children are there? How many blocks does each child get? What division sentence can we write?
• Guide them toward 15 ÷ 5 = 3.
• Ask guiding questions:
  • Total number of blocks = ?
  • Number of children = ?
  • Each child gets = ?

You Do (Independent Practice):

• Now it’s your turn. You will get a card with a division problem. Use objects or drawings to solve it, then write the division sentence.
  • Example: 20 items shared among 4 groups = ?
• Provide options:
  • Use math notebooks, whiteboards, or a digital tool.
  • Draw or use physical items.
• Circulate and support children as needed.
• Provide sentence starters like: ‘__ shared into __ groups = __ in each group’ or ‘__ ÷ __ = __’

Video: Introduction to Division – Coming soon

ISL Video: Introduction to Division – Coming soon

Activity 1: Party Time!

Objective: 
Students will understand the concept of equal sharing by dividing a set of objects (food items) among a given number of friends.

Importance of the activity for children:

Helps in developing:

1. Gross motor skills (Moving around, distributing)
2. Fine motor skills (Hand-eye coordination, picking)
3. Cognitive skills (Problem-solving, concentration)
4. Social skills (Cooperation, contributing to team effort, playing together)
5. Language skills (Concepts like sharing, division, and equal to)
6. Emotional skills (Builds confidence in numeracy, promotes a sense of achievement that boosts self-esteem, and encourages pride in learning new skills)

Resources required:

1. Picture cards of Indian snacks (idli, vada, jalebi, samosa, laddoo, etc.) – around 20–30 pieces total per group.
2. Small paper plates or cutouts (to represent plates).
3. ‘Friend’ cutout cards or stick puppets (optional: could be simply named stick figures).
4. Recording sheet (optional): columns for ‘How many items?’, ‘How many friends?’ and ‘How many each gets?’
5. Markers, crayons (for decorating party setup)

Setting for the activity:
Open floor space or tables in the classroom.

Type of activity: Small group activity

Preparation of activity:

1. Divide the class into small groups of 4–5 students.
2. Give each group a set of snack picture cards and a few plates.
3. Let students pretend they are organizing a party and have invited a certain number of friends.

Role of the teacher: Demonstrator, observer and facilitator.

Procedure:

1. Set the Scene (Introduction)
   • Say: “You’re planning a party! You have delicious snacks to serve your friends. Let’s find out how to share them equally so everyone gets a fair share!”
2. Decide the Number of Friends
   • Each group rolls a die (or picks a number card) to find out how many friends they’ve invited (e.g., 2–6).
   • Place that many plates on the table.
3. Distribute the Food
   • Depending on the number of friends, the teacher gives them snacks to distribute so that there is no remainder. (Since the concept of remainder is still not introduced)
   • Students choose a snack (e.g., 12 vadas) and try to distribute them equally on the plates.
   • Encourage them to give one piece at a time to each plate to simulate equal sharing.
4. Record and Discuss
   • After distributing, students record the following:
     • Total number of snacks distributed.
     • Number of friends invited.
     • How many snacks did each friend get?
   • Ask guiding questions:
     • Was it shared equally?
     • Can you write a division sentence for this?” (e.g., 12 ÷ 4 = 3)
5. Repeat with a Different Snack
   • Let students repeat the activity with a different number of items and friends.

Observations:
During the activity, the teacher will observe the following:

• Do students understand the idea of equal sharing?
• Can they distribute the food items one by one across the plates?
• Are they able to say or write simple division facts like 12 ÷ 4 = 3?

Conclusion:
Children develop a fundamental understanding of division concepts by comprehending how to share things equally.

Printable Picture Cards: Party Snacks – Coming soon

Video: Party Time! – Coming soon

ISL Video: Party Time! – Coming soon

Activity 2: Equal Sharing Art Project

Objective: 
Children will create artistic representations of equal sharing using stamps, stickers, or finger painting to reinforce the concept of division in a creative context.

Importance of the activity for children:

Helps in developing:

1. Gross motor skills (Moving around, pasting/sticking, drawing)
2. Fine motor skills (Hand-eye coordination, picking)
3. Cognitive skills (Problem-solving, concentration)
4. Social skills (Cooperation, contributing to team effort, playing together)
5. Language skills (Concepts like sharing, division, and equal to)
6. Emotional skills (Builds confidence in numeracy, promotes a sense of achievement that boosts self-esteem, and encourages pride in learning new skills)

Resources required:

1. Construction paper
2. Stamp pads and stamps (or stickers)
3. Finger paints
4. Markers
5. Scissors
6. Glue
7. Equal sharing planning sheet (with circles drawn for planning)

Setting for the activity: 

1. Art area with covered tables
2. Materials organized in stations

Type of activity: Individual creative activity

Preparation of activity:

1. Set up art stations with various materials.
2. Create sample artwork showing equal sharing.
3. Prepare planning sheets for children to plan their work.

Role of the teacher:
Demonstrator, Observer, and Facilitator.

Procedure:

1. Introduction:
   • Say: Today we are going to be artists and mathematicians at the same time! We’re going to create beautiful artwork that shows equal sharing.
2. Planning:
   • Children receive planning sheets.
   • They decide the total number of items and how many items will be in each equal group by sharing equally.
   • Draw dots or marks to plan their design.
3. Creation:
   • Children select their art medium. (stamps, stickers, fingerprints)
   • Create their artwork, ensuring equal numbers in each group.
   • Add details with markers after primary groups are created.
4. Bring out the mathematics connection:
   • On their artwork, children write a number sentence:
     _____ Total Items shared equally among ______ = ________
5. Gallery Walk:
   • Children display their artwork.
   • Take turns explaining their equal sharing to classmates.

Observation:
During the activity, the teacher will observe the following:

• Can children share equally in their artwork?
• Do they understand the connection between their artistic creation and the mathematical concept?
• Can they clearly explain how many each one got when they divided equally?

Conclusion:
Children use art to reiterate mathematical concepts while representing equal groupings.

Video: Equal sharing art project – Coming soon

Video: SEqual sharing art project – Coming soon

Assessment

The teacher can provide a practice worksheet and assessment worksheet to assess the children’s understanding of the concepts of sharing, grouping, and dividing.

Practice Worksheet – Coming soon

Practice Worksheet (Enlarged) – Coming soon

Assessment Worksheet – Coming soon

Assessment Worksheet (Enlarged) – Coming soon

Check list for teacher:

Activity	Yes	No	Sometimes
Children can:
Identify equal and unequal groups
Count objects in groups accurately
Share equally among groups when given objects
Write the division sentence looking at the shared objects. Ex. 10 cookies shared among 2 friends. 10 ÷ 2 = 5
Complete the activities in the given time
Do the activities independently
Express verbally and through actions, expressions, or gestures
Enjoy teamwork, appreciate others, and are willing to learn from others

Home Activity

Objective:
To reinforce the concept of division as equal sharing by sharing objects through an online fun activity.

Home Activity: Word Wall – Share them equally – Coming soon

Cross-Curricular Connection:

• Art:
  Children create patterns with equal groups using different shapes or colours (e.g., 3 groups of 4 triangles, followed by 3 groups of 4 circles).
• Language:
  Children write simple sentences describing equal groups they observe in the classroom or in pictures.

Adaptations for addressing learner variability: Adaptations and strategies – Coming soon

Teacher Resource Document – Coming soon

Source and Attribution of images: All images used in the above Assets and Aids are originally created.

This digital material has been developed by the Sri Sathya Sai Vidya Vahini Inclusive Education Project, a unit of Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust, Prasanthi Nilayam, as a collaborative offering in the service of our nation.