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KS2 · Year 3 · Ages 7-8

Simple Fractions

This topic covers 4 learning steps, guiding your child from the basics through to confident problem-solving. Each step includes a worked example and adaptive practice questions.

What Your Child Will Learn

  1. Halves
    Find half of a number or shape
  2. Quarters
    Find a quarter of a number
  3. Thirds
    Find a third of a number
  4. Mixed Fractions
    Find fractions of amounts

Common Mistakes

  • Thinking the denominator (bottom number) tells you "how many you have" rather than "how many equal parts the whole is divided into"
    The denominator tells you how many EQUAL parts the whole is split into. The numerator tells you how many of those parts you are looking at. Draw a circle, divide it into the right number of parts, then colour the numerator.
  • Believing larger denominators mean bigger fractions (thinking 1/8 > 1/4 because 8 > 4)
    Bigger denominators mean SMALLER pieces. Cut a pizza into 4 slices vs 8 slices — the 8 slices are each smaller. So 1/4 of a pizza is actually bigger than 1/8.

Tips for Parents

  • Use food to explore fractions: cut an apple into halves, then quarters, then eighths. Compare the sizes — which pieces are biggest?
  • Fold paper strips into equal parts: halves, thirds, quarters. Label each part. This builds understanding of what the denominator means.
  • Ask fraction questions in real life: "We ate 2 out of 4 slices — what fraction is left?" Move between fractions and everyday situations.
  • Draw fraction walls together — a strip for halves, thirds, quarters. Line them up to compare sizes visually.

Key Words

  • Fraction — A part of a whole, written as one number over another — like ¾ (three quarters).
  • Numerator — The top number in a fraction — tells you how many parts you have.
  • Denominator — The bottom number in a fraction — tells you how many equal parts the whole is divided into.
  • Unit fraction — A fraction where the top number is 1 — like ½, ⅓, ¼.
  • Equal parts — All parts are exactly the same size.

Where This Fits

Before this topic: Children should understand halves and quarters, and be able to share objects equally.

After this topic: Basic fractions lead to equivalent fractions, adding and subtracting fractions, and mixed numbers in Years 4-5.

How MathCraft Teaches This

In MathCraft, Simple Fractions is taught through the Number & Fractions adventure track. Your child follows guided lessons with friendly characters, works through examples step by step, then practises with questions that adapt to their level.

The adaptive engine tracks mastery across all 4 steps, revisiting concepts your child finds tricky and advancing when they're ready. Parents can see detailed progress in the Parent Dashboard.

Practise Simple Fractions with MathCraft

Step-by-step lessons, worked examples, and adaptive practice — all wrapped in an adventure game your child will love.

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Further Reading