3MA1

LO6

Estimation Station

Formative Assessment:

-Have you seen contests where you have to guess how many beans are in a jar…or how many eggs are in a basket…and the one who guesses closest to the right number wins a prize?

-What methods/strategies do you use to make your guess?

Instructional Strategy/Learning Activity:

Set up a center with an unbreakable jar containing small objects. (The jar can be full or not.), post-it notes, pencil, and a deposit box for “guesses”.

Introduce students to the word “estimate” …let students take turns going to the “station” to examine the jar and estimate the number of objects in the jar. Students write their estimation and name on a post-it then place it in the deposit box. When all have had the opportunity to make their estimation, teacher announces the name of the student who came closest to the correct number. That student share the “strategy” used to make the estimation. The teacher records the student’s thinking on chart paper and displays it at the center. That student then takes the empty jar home and fills it (or partially fills it) with something else. (If the student chooses to fill the jar with something edible, this can be shared with the class after the estimations have been made.) Only the student who filled the jar will know the exact number of objects in the jar. The jar is once again placed in the estimation station and process is repeated until class has a list of estimation strategies, or teacher is satisfied that all have had a turn that want a turn at filling the jar.

Summative Assessment:

This can be done as a journal entry or class assignment. Teacher brings a new jar, different size; shape whatever…filled with objects. Students examine the jar and make an estimation. Students write abut their estimation explaining their thinking/strategy used in making the estimation.

Scoring Checklist:

___Student describes the process used and explains his/her thinking.

___Student’s estimation is based on sound thinking.

___The estimation is correct within + #

(Teacher inserts the appropriate number variable.)

___Student’s entry/paragraph is neat and readable.

___Student’s documentation is written in complete sentences.

___/5 points