Classroom Curriculum
< BackScoopsDownload
What you need
- Jars or other transparent containers
- Small items like macaroni noodles, marshmallows or beans to fill the jars
- Scoop (ice cream scoop, small measuring cup or a powder drink mix scoop)
- Paper
- Pencil
- Buttons
What to do
- Guess how many noodles you can scoop with the scoop. (Write down your estimate so you can remember it.)
- Scoop up some noodles.
- Count the noodles you scooped to see how close your guess was to the actual number.
- Choose one of the empty jars.
- Estimate how many scoops of noodles would fit into the jar.
- Write your estimate on a piece of paper.
- Count how many scoops it really takes to fill your jar. Write this down.
- Compare your estimate with the answer.
- Continue with other jars and other items.
- Talk about your estimates and write an “L” by the ones that were too low and an “H” by the ones that were too high.
What to ask
- How would you figure out how many items are in the jar?
- How many scoops would you need to have one million items?
- How long would it take you to scoop one million items?
Did you know?
Estimation is a math skill that we use not only in math class but every day in life. When your child first learns to estimate, they might say there are a thousand or even a million things. These really big numbers are hard to get a handle on, but over time, with practice, estimates will become more realistic and children will develop a better understanding of really big numbers.
What’s next?
Pull out a collection of measuring cups (1/2 cup, 1/4 cup and 1 cup) see how many of the 1/2 cups are needed to fill up the 1 cup. Talk about the labeling of the 1/2 cup. Repeat this activity with the 1/4 cup measuring cup.
Exhibits: | How Does It Work?Invention ConventionMatter Factory |
Grades: | K |
Subjects: | Physical Science |
TEKS: | false |