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I am very excited that fall is here! The weather is beautiful and I went apple picking on the weekend with my kids. I decided to incorporate our weekend apples into my estimation jars for math this week. I chose the smallest apples we had picked and put them into the jars. Although I used this as a kindergarten math activity, it could be used throughout the grades.
I handed out dry eraser markers and boards to all of the children and then showed them the jar with 3 apples.
Next, I had students estimate/guess how many apples they saw and draw/write on their board how many apples they thought were in the jar. I wrote on my dry erase board the numbers 1-10 as a reference for students.
It is still very early in the year, so printing the actual number was not the focus. I just wanted them to show in some way how many they thought were in the jar. Even 3 simple dots (or 2 or 4 since it is estimation) is a great way to show their thinking. We then discussed a few of the boards and different ways kids estimated.
After we modeled this example, I then showed the next jar. I only quickly showed students so that they would not have time to count and would need to estimate. They then did the same on their boards, but now considering the last jar an example to guide them. I enjoy seeing what children will come up with.
For our number talks, there are countless ways to show thinking. When I glace at the boards, we then discuss each different strategy. I love that I can change up the jars depending on the season or current inquiry in the class. I hope that you and your students have some fun with this kindergarten math activity.