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Full access Geometry and mathsArt and pattern

A half equals a half

Make four identical 3 × 3 cm PLA tiles with a frame and two crossing strands. Arrange them into a square and a rectangle. In both arrangements, identify a half and a quarter of the same whole and check whether a division is equal. Equality concerns the area enclosed by the frame, not the amount of PLA.

Age
7–9 years
Length
approx. 45 min
Level
Medium
Where you teach
School
Purpose
Educational
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How to run this session

Stages and timing
  1. First frame: P1
  2. Repeat the frame: P2, P3, P4
  3. First strand: P1–P4
  4. Second strand: complete cross P1–P4
  5. Compare the cooled tiles in a stack
  6. The whole arranged as a square
  7. The same whole arranged as a rectangle

What gets built

The pupil recognises a whole divided into two and four equal parts.

What it practises
  • Recognising a half and a quarter of the same whole.
  • Comparing equal areas in two arrangements.
  • Rejecting a division into unequal parts.
  • Checking the frame and tracing strands along a pattern.

Success criteria
  • The pupil independently identifies a half and a quarter in both arrangements of four equal tiles.
  • The pupil rejects an unequal division and explains their answer by comparing the parts.
  • The pupil distinguishes the area enclosed by a tile’s frame from the amount of PLA and the openings in the filling.

What you need
Filament
PLA
Colours
colour shown in the illustration
Also
3D pen with stand: 1 per pupil; prepared in PLA mode according to the pen and filament instructions., 1.75 mm PLA filament: one type, the same dark colour for a pupil’s four tiles; prepare 2.8 m per pupil., Transparent work mat suitable for a 3D pen: 1 per pupil., A4 paper: 3 sheets per pupil: printed pattern, arrangement board and observation record., Pencil: 1 per pupil., 30 cm ruler: 1 per pupil.

Files

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Version 997adfcf-ef46-4d06-ba57-3149f381cc6a Updated 2026-10-14

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