Materials
pictures of various pets
Instructions
* Partially fill a plastic jar with animal crackers.
What to Do
1. Give each child a small, clear plastic cup filled with animal crackers.
2. Engage the children in a discussion about estimation.
3. Ask the children to guess how many animal crackers are in their cups.
4. On a sheet of paper, write down the children's estimations.
5. Hand out sheets of paper and markers or pencils to each child.
6. Have the children count out and eat the animal crackers in their plastic cups,
making a mark on their paper for each one they eat.
7. After the children finish eating and counting their animal crackers, review with
them the number of animal crackers that were in their cups, and compare
those numbers to their original estimates.
8. Ask each child to guess how many animal crackers are in the jar. Record his
estimate on chart paper next to his name. As a class, count the actual number
of animal crackers and compare it to the estimates.
Teacher - to - Teacher Tip
* Use only 10 to 15 animal crackers or adjust the number to the ability of the
children. For older children, ask them to group the animals that are the same
together. Encourage the children to name the animals as they are sorting them.
Assessment
Consider the following:
* Do the children display increasing ability in their estimation, sorting, and
counting skills?
* Do they display a growing capacity to maintain concentration over time while
involved in a group task?
