Estimation

Iona Greenfield                Carnegie Elementary School
9748 S. Sangamon               1414 E. 61st Street
Chicago IL 60643               Chicago IL 60637
(312)239-6731                  (312)535-0350    
         
Objectives:

     This lesson is designed for Kindergarten and First Grade.

     Solve problems by guessing and checking.

     Identify length by using informal units to estimate.

     Guess the number of peas in a pod and write an addition and subtraction 
       sentence for the number of peas in the pod.     
 
 
Materials Needed:

     Construction paper    Ribbon        Peas 
     Scissors              Bubble gum    Scrap paper
     Pencils               Blocks        Gummy bears

Strategy:
     
     Students will draw around foot on construction paper to make foot prints.  
     Then they will cut them out.  Students will measure using informal units. 

     Students will cut a piece of ribbon to their approximate head size.  They 
     will check by using tape measure to compare actual size and approximate 
     size. 

     Guess the number of bubble gums in a jar.  Check by counting.
     
     The students will guess the number of peas in a pod and write an addition 
     and subtraction sentence for the number of peas in a pod.  Check by using 
     counters (cubes or gummy bears). 

Conclusions:

     These activities can be implemented to solve problems by guessing and 
     checking using non-standard units and standard units of measurement.  This 
     approach gives students hands on experience to solve problems.