Estimation Jar Activity

Here’s what I’ve been doing for several years as a weekly math warm-up.  I have a plastic Estimation Jar that the kids take home (1 or 2 different children each week).

An email went home explaining to the parents that their child needs to bring in between 20 and 50 objects for the class to estimate.

There is SO much great math that goes along with this activity. First we pass the jar around the circle and everyone makes an estimate (a smart guess) which they call out and I record on the white board.

Then I draw a number line and we place the smallest and greatest estimates on either end. We then spend a bit of time figuring out where some of the other numbers would be placed on the line. I have the kids justify their responses.

Next step is to count the objects.  In this picture, you can see the child who brought in some googly eyes. She’s putting them into groups of 10. We count up to 10 for each group and then I say, “So four tens is how much?” and the kids respond.

I then circle the winning estimate, put a check mark beside the close estimates and write the expanded notation on the white board.

The students love this activity and ask for it if we forget. It’s one of the best things I’ve done to help teach them about estimation. Since we do it all year long the concept really sticks!

Have a great evening!

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