We are always using our hands to hold things so I set up an invitation to explore how many things our paper hands (or real hands) can hold at the math table. On the table were paper hands of various sizes and small wooden inch cubes…
The children were invited to explore the materials any way they wished. Some of the children chose to spread the blocks out across the hands and count how many blocks they had. They begin to notice that the bigger the hand, the more blocks the hand would hold…
Other children chose to stack the blocks up. I don’t know why, but it hadn’t occurred to me that the children might go up with the blocks. I had only envisioned the children laying the blocks flat…
Other’s measured across the hand or just compared the hands with their own hand…
I love having this table as my math table as it gives the children lots of space to work together. They seem to enjoy the freedom of talking and exploring as a group more than just working alone…
And they definitely build off of each other’s ideas which I think is a fabulous part of the process…
So do you want to know how many things hands can hold? Well as you can see that depends on many different factors. We were able to talk about many of those factors as the children went along. Now isn’t that just the coolest thing ever???
Links to Grow On…
At Play on the Math Table by Teach Preschool
Designing with Q-Tips on the Math Table by Teach Preschool
Number Pocket Game by Toddler Approved
Deborah, this is great! So many ways to explore math ideas…and other ideas, too. You always inspire me and these photos really inspire me! Thanks for all the hands on math ideas you continue to share. (I think there’s a pun in there somewhere)
These things come in pretty handy don’t they? 🙂
Deborah,
I am going to set up that exact math table ! Thank you for all the ideas! The photos are great! I love the table with the “lip” around the edge! I am going to IKEA this weekend and making a similar table for sure!
Thanks again!
Bonnie 🙂
This is a great idea! I like the way it’s an ongoing center that could be varied with many materials throughout the year. Another activity that would support the learning at this center is to pass a basket of pom-poms or other small objects around the circle. Each person takes a handful and we count them. Lots of good opportunities to discuss why one person may have more than someone else. Usually the number is the same for most students, and that’s a good discussion point, too!