Materials
Large jar or plastic see-through container small treats to place in the jar, such as jellybeans or M&Ms
Instructions
1. Put a large quantity of items in the jar.
2. Ask the children to look at the jar and guess how many items are inside.
3. After everyone has had a turn, count the items as a group.
4. Divide the items in the jar for the children to enjoy. How many will each child get?5. Change items in the guessing jar throughout the year. Use candy corn, peppermints, conversation hearts, or jellybeans to represent each holiday as it is being celebrated. Use items that start with the "letter of the week" as you are studying about each letter (M&Ms for M, kisses for K, bubble gum for B).
6. Vary the size of the jar and the size of the items for interesting observations.
7. Add different kinds of the same item, for example, bubble gum, stick gum, and gumballs. After the children estimate how many are in the jar, ask them to choose their favorite. Let them chew the gum and save the wrapper. Tape or glue the wrappers to a piece of large poster board and chart which one is the favorite.
