Materials
large and small cardsmarkerlarge, plain wooden blockstub or baskethoops (circles of yarn will also work)
Instructions
1. Beforehand, make labels by drawing block shapes on large cards.
2. Set out a tub of wooden blocks in a variety of sizes and shapes.
3. Put the hoops on the floor (or make circles using yarn) and place the block shape labels inside the hoops.
4. Discuss the outlines on the cards. Look for similarities and differences.
5. Ask the children to sort the blocks into hoops according to the block label (for example, square blocks go in the hoop with the square shape).
6. When finished sorting, ask the children if everyone agrees on how the blocks are sorted. If not, discuss the reasoning.
7. Once everyone agrees on the sorting, invite the children to estimate how many blocks are in each hoop. Print the estimations on the small cards. Discuss which hoops the children think have more or fewer blocks than the others.
8. Assign children to count the blocks in the hoops, then place the appropriate number card next to each hoop.
9. Discuss the children's estimations, and ask them which hoops had more or fewer blocks than they thought.
