Skill: Share an object into halves

To share one whole object into halves, split it into two equal parts. Each equal part is called one-half, written $\frac{1}{2}$.

Example: Share one rectangular sandwich between two children.

1. Start with the whole sandwich.
2. Find the middle of the sandwich.
3. Cut straight down the middle.
4. Check that both pieces are the same size.

Now there are two equal pieces. Each piece is $\frac{1}{2}$ of the sandwich.

$$\frac{1}{2}+\frac{1}{2}=1\text{ whole}$$

If one piece were bigger than the other, the pieces would not be halves because they would not be equal.