NCERT Maths Mela, Class 4, textbook pages 62–79

How to teach Class 4 Maths Chapter 5, Sharing and Measuring, at home

Fractions: halves, quarters and more, taught with things you already have at home: a 10-minute activity, a game for the week, a 5-day plan and the mistakes to watch for.

¾3 of 4 equal parts

NCERT Class 4 Maths Chapter 5 Sharing and Measuring: what it teaches

Two quarters of a page are exactly the same as one half. Your child folds, cuts and shares to find halves, quarters, three-quarters and other equal parts, writes them as fractions, and finds fractions of quantities like half a kilogram or a quarter of an hour.

Why it matters later. Fractions are one of the biggest topics in Classes 5 to 8. Understanding equal parts now avoids confusion later.

See it: this chapter in pictures

1 half=2 quarters
Two quarters cover exactly one half.
12 shared in 4 equal groups¼ of 12 = 3
A fraction of a group: share equally, count one share.
123456789101112quarter past123456789101112half past
A quarter hour is 15 minutes; a half hour is 30.

You need

  • paper squares and rectangles
  • a roti or chapati
  • a set of 12 small objects
  • a clock

Tonight’s 10 minutes

  1. Fold a paper into 4 equal parts. Colour one: that is ¼. Colour three: ¾.
  2. Show that 2 quarters cover the same as 1 half by laying pieces on top.
  3. Share 12 beans into 4 equal groups. What is ¼ of 12?
  4. On a clock, show a quarter hour (15 minutes) and a half hour (30 minutes).

Words to use

  • half
  • quarter
  • three-quarters
  • equal parts
  • numerator
  • denominator
  • fraction

Watch for

  • Thinking a bigger denominator means a bigger piece. Compare ½ and ¼ of the same paper. More pieces means smaller pieces.
  • Unequal parts called quarters. Fold to check that all four parts match exactly.

What it sounds like at home

A short example of the conversation. Your words will differ; the questions are what matter.

YouWould you take ½ of the paper or two quarters?

Your childTwo quarters, it’s more pieces.

YouLay them on the half.

Your childOh, they’re the same size!

YouWhat is ¼ of 12 beans?

Your child3.

A game for this week: Fraction fold

  1. Give each player a paper square.
  2. Call a fraction: “Show three-quarters!”
  3. Players fold and colour it.
  4. Check by comparing sheets.

A 5-day plan, 10 minutes a day

  1. Day 1Halves and quarters by folding.
  2. Day 2Two quarters equal one half.
  3. Day 3Fractions of a group of objects.
  4. Day 4Quarter and half hours.
  5. Day 5Fraction fold game.

Everyday moments to practise

  • Half a litre of milk.
  • A quarter of a pizza or roti.
  • Quarter past and half past on the clock.
  • Sharing sweets equally.

Quick check

Ask these at the end of the week. Tap to see the answer.

How many quarters make a whole?

4.

What is ½ of 20?

10.

Which is bigger: ½ or ¼?

½.

Ready for the next chapter when your child…

  • Folds shapes into halves and quarters.
  • Writes ½, ¼ and ¾.
  • Finds a fraction of a small group.

Activities, wording and illustrations are Mathify Kids’ own, following the topics of NCERT’s Maths Mela (Class 4). See the full Class 4 parent guide for every chapter.

Questions parents ask

Which fractions are in Class 4?

Halves, quarters, three-quarters and other equal parts, including fractions of quantities.

Why is ½ bigger than ¼?

The whole is cut into fewer pieces, so each piece is bigger.

How do fractions link to measurement?

Half a metre is 50 cm; a quarter of an hour is 15 minutes.