Statistics: Button, Button

Add to list Go to activity
Activity link broken? See if it's at the internet archive

In this math activity, learners read "The Button Box" by Margarette S. Reid and then make their own button boxes filled with different buttons. Learners count and classify the buttons and record their discoveries in their own books titled, "My Button Box." Learners also guess the number of buttons a pair of students can hold. Learners examine and discuss the differences in making guesses and making estimates based on definitive information. Learners analyze a class line plot of data they collect.

Preparation Time:: 30 to 45 minutes
Learning Time:: 1 to 2 hours
Estimated Materials Cost:: $5 - $10 per group of students
Age Range:: Ages 6 - 8
Resource Types:: Activity, Lesson/Lesson Plan
Language:: English

Materials List (per group of students)

Box filled with a variety of buttons
Eight clear jars marked with labels (see page 1)
Activity Sheets: Box
Buttons (a variety of shapes, colors, and sizes)
Crayons
Construction paper (approximately 15 inches by 20 inches)
My Button Box book made from Activity Sheet: My Button Box
Two sticky note pads (Use two different colors.)
One inch cubes
The Button Box by Margarette Reid

Keywords

Subjects

Mathematics
- Data Analysis and Probability
  - Data Analysis
  - Data Collection
  - Data Representation
- Number and Operations
The Nature of Technology
- The Design Process
  - Problem Solving

Informal Categories

Collecting
Literature

Audience

To use this activity, learners need to:

see
see color
read
touch

Learning styles supported:

Links STEM to other topics of interest such as arts and humanities
Involves hands-on or lab activities

Other

This resource is part of:

Mathline Lesson Plans with Video - Grades PreK-2

Access Rights:

Free access

By:

Mathline, PBS

Rights:

Funding Source:

US Department of Education