Working With Numbers

We have started really looking at and analyzing numbers.  One thing we have talked about is how we can quickly and efficiently count large groups of objects.  After lots of brainstorming, the kids realized that if they group their objects in sets of "ten" and "some leftover," they could very quickly count large groups.  So, we did just that!  Each student was given a bag of Smarties candy and asked to count them using our grouping method.  They then recorded their final count on a sticky note.  The final part of this lesson required each student to count his or her groups to the class to verify the findings.  They did an excellent job with this task!  This activity led into an introductory discussion of the tens and ones groupings that make up two-digit numbers.  It was a great activity...and it ended with eating, which is always a big hit with the boys and girls!