As I was washing out yet another yogurt container (I really can't bear to throw out any container I can reuse), I thought of the oatmeal container I had full of pony beads and of the balance scale sitting on a shelf upstairs.
I turned to bear and asked if she'd like to do a
math activity. Of course she got all excited, as she does when she hears the word "activity."
I got everything together and presented Bear with two empty containers (small ones) and had her hypothesize which would be heavier if she filled both with pony beads. After she had made her hypothesis, she scooped pony beads into each of the containers (great fine motor activity) and then poured each container into the balance scale. She then repeated this with another two set of containers, then continued to compare more combinations of containers.
Any activity that combines lots of learning objectives is always a favorite of mine. This one combined practical life/fine motor skills, scientific reasoning (making hypothesis and testing the hypothesis), a math concept (volume), and vocabulary ("heavier" and "lighter").
This is such a great idea and I love that scale--where did you find it?
ReplyDeleteI so seriously want a balance scale - maybe I should talk my husband into it. This is definitely an activity that would be well enjoyed here.
ReplyDeleteWhere did you buy your scale? Are you happy with it? We bought a cheap scale we are not happy with, and I thinking of getting a new one.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea to use the scale. I have a TON of empty containers too. I just can't throw them out. I hope that your adjustment to life in the states in going well!
ReplyDeleteYou've got a lot of great ideas. I just became a follower. Thanks for putting me on your blog list!
ReplyDeleteOut of all my math manipulatives, I don't have a balance scale! It's so useful though! Where did you get yours? Do you also have Teddy bears to do math on it? Great for greater/less than and equal to activities!
ReplyDeleteI bought the balance scale from Amazon. I am happy with it as a preschool/early elementary scale. I did not purchase the scale with the counting/weighing bears as I felt that the actual weights (I purchased these separately) were going to be more useful down the road. I have always wanted bear counters, but never bought them. We ended up learning colors, sorting and counting using other manipulatives we had around the house.
ReplyDeleteI'll add the links to the scale and weights to the post.
Thanks for the link. We already have weights, so this should be perfect.
ReplyDeleteHow do you like the weights?
ReplyDelete@min
ReplyDeleteI love the weights. We haven't done much with them yet, but I have a lot of plans for them. Actually, I've been thinking of an extension lesson with the weights for the lesson in this post.
I guess I wanted to know if the weights were clearly marked. I would love to see your post on them! I'm going to order it through the link you provided. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great combination of math and science! I bet she loved the whole game!
ReplyDeleteThe top of each weight has its weight written on it. The size difference between each is big enough to be obvious too. The set includes 20g, 10g, 5g, and 1g.
ReplyDelete