Parenting 

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Estimation centre

Children will develop their skills of estimation and prediction by measuring and guessing the amounts of various materials.

What this activity will develop:
Maths, thinking and science skills

What you'll need:

• Shoeboxes
• Dry ingredients (dried beans, cereal, pasta, chocolate pieces, birdseed)
• Marker
• Plastic milk carton
• Utility knife
• Three clear jars (same size and shape)
• Cardboard
• Kitchen scales
• Paper
• Pencil

What to do:

1. Place each ingredient in a shoebox, and label the box with a marker.

2. From the milk jug, cut a scoop with a handle.

3. Print the directions for the centre on the poster board.

4. Place the materials in the centre, and post the directions where everyone can see them.

How to use:

1. Choose any three ingredients.

2. Use the scoop to fill each jar with one ingredient.

3. Estimate how many grams of the ingredient there are in each jar. Write down the estimate.

4. Use the kitchen scales to count how many cups are in each jar. Put the ingredients back in their boxes.

5. Compare the actual weight to the estimated weight.

6. Write down what you found out about the weight in each jar.

7. Try the same thing with three different ingredients.

Other uses:
Use three containers that hold the same amount but have different shapes. Fill the containers with the same ingredient, make estimates and then measure with the scales.

 

Select more skills:
• Listening Skills
• Math Skills
• Motor Skills Help
• Science Fun
• Reading Skills
• Vocabulary Builder

Back to Skill Builder main page

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