Mystery Jars: Estimate Contents

Add to list Go to activity
This activity puts a mathematical twist on the familiar “guessing jar.” No guesses allowed, estimates only. Choose an object that comes in two sizes, such as large and mini pompoms, and fill one of two identical jars with each. Ask learners to estimate how many in each jar and to write down their reasoning. Encourage them to read what each other has written and decide if they agree or not. If you must give prizes, give them out for good explanations of reasoning, but not for the closest answer. It’s estimation strategies that count. [Activity is publicly available through a web crawler capture on Archive.org.]

Quick Guide

Preparation Time:
Under 5 minutes
Learning Time:
5 to 10 minutes
Estimated Materials Cost:
1 cent - $1 per group of students
Age Range:
Ages 4 - 14
Resource Types:
Activity, Game
Language:
English

Materials List (per group of students)

  • two identical clear plastic jars
  • similar objects in two sizes for filling jars (small and large pasta shells, pompoms or beads)
  • recording sheets and pencils

Keywords

Subjects

  • Mathematics
    • Algebra
      • Patterns
    • Measurement
      • Size and Scale
    • Number and Operations
      • Multiples and Factors
      • Number Systems
      • Operations
    • Reasoning and Proof
    • Representation
  • The Nature of Science
    • The Scientific Process
      • Formulating Explanations
      • Communicating Results

Informal Categories

  • Games

Audience

To use this activity, learners need to:

  • see

Learning styles supported:

  • Involves teamwork and communication skills
  • Involves hands-on or lab activities

Other

Access Rights:

  • Free access

By:

Source Collection

  • Mixing in Math

Rights:

  • , © 2010, TERC, Inc., MA., 2010

Funding Source:

  • NSF, ESI-0406675 and DRL-0713537