Teacher Guidance
Teaching Journey & Lesson Plan
Donut Problem: A Lesson in Sharing and Division for Early Learners (Ages 3–8)
Storytelling is a powerful tool to engage young learners and connect mathematical concepts to real-life situations. One day, a student in my class brought in six donuts to share with their friends. As we gathered, the student shared the story of how they got the donuts and expressed their wish for everyone in the class to enjoy them. This prompted a natural question:
“How can we share 6 donuts with all 18 students in the class?”
This seemingly simple question sparked curiosity and excitement among the children. Some immediately began offering ideas, while others paused to think. To capture everyone’s thoughts, we moved to the whiteboard and recorded their suggestions. Ideas ranged from cutting each donut in half to dividing them into as many pieces as possible. Each idea led to further discussion and exploration.
To ensure every voice was heard, we gathered in a circle to share and reflect on the strategies. After careful consideration and discussion, the students voted to divide each donut into three pieces, creating 18 equal portions. Together, we shared the donuts, ensuring everyone had a fair piece. This activity not only solved a practical problem but also fostered teamwork, creativity, and foundational mathematical reasoning.
The Lesson Plan: Sharing Donuts
Target Age Range:
This lesson is ideal for children aged 3 to 8, with adaptations for different developmental levels.
Concepts:
Division
Fair Distribution
Introduction to Fractions
Objectives:
To help students understand how to divide a limited number of items equally among a group.
To encourage problem-solving, reasoning, and collaboration.
To introduce early concepts of division and fractions in a hands-on and engaging way.
Materials Needed:
6 real donuts (or paper cutouts of donuts for younger students)
Plastic knives (if using real donuts) or scissors (for cutouts)
Whiteboard and markers
Steps:
1. Introduce the Story
Share the real-life scenario:
“One of our friends brought in 6 donuts to share with the class, but we have 18 students. How can we share the donuts so everyone gets a fair piece?”Encourage students to share their initial thoughts and ideas.
2. Record Ideas on the Whiteboard
Write down the students’ suggestions, using visual representations.
For example, draw a donut divided into halves, thirds, or quarters.Ask students to explain their thinking and reasoning.
3. Facilitate a Class Discussion
Gather students in a circle and discuss the strategies.
Use guiding questions, such as:“What happens if we cut each donut in half?”
“What if we cut each donut into three pieces?”
“How do we make sure it’s fair?”
Allow students to vote on the best approach.
4. Divide the Donuts
Use the agreed-upon strategy to divide the donuts.
If using real donuts, have students take turns cutting and distributing pieces.
Count the pieces together to ensure everyone gets one.
5. Reflect as a Class
Discuss the activity:
“Why was it important to share equally?”
“How did we decide the best way to divide the donuts?”
“What would we do if we had more donuts or more students?”
Encourage students to think of other situations where they might need to share, like toys or snacks.
Why This Lesson Supports Students’ Thinking and Conceptual Understanding
Connecting Math to Real Life
This activity grounds math in a meaningful context that young children can relate to.
Sharing donuts is a tangible problem that highlights the real-world applications of division and fairness.
Introducing Division and Fractions
By physically dividing donuts, students gain hands-on experience with early concepts of division and fractions.
This tactile approach makes abstract ideas concrete and accessible.
Fostering Flexible Thinking
The brainstorming and visualization process helps students see that there are multiple ways to solve a problem, fostering creativity and flexible thinking.
Building Communication and Collaboration Skills
The group discussion encourages active listening, respectful sharing of ideas, and collaboration. These skills are critical for both mathematical reasoning and social-emotional growth.
Promoting a Growth Mindset
By working together to solve a real-world problem, students build resilience and confidence. They see challenges as opportunities to learn and grow, fostering a positive attitude toward mathematics.
Additional Notes for Educators:
Adapt for Younger Learners: For children aged 3–5, simplify the lesson by using larger cutouts or modeling the division process for them. Focus on the idea of fairness rather than precision.
Expand for Older Learners: For children aged 6–8, challenge them to explore alternative division methods or discuss what would happen if the number of donuts or students changed.
Preparation: Consider introducing key vocabulary beforehand, such as “fair,” “divide,” and “equal parts,” to support comprehension.
Flexibility: While this lesson is suitable for a broad age range, educators should adapt the depth and complexity based on the developmental needs of their students.
By incorporating storytelling into lessons like this, educators can transform math into an engaging, meaningful, and collaborative experience for young learners.