- various small objects (for example, pennies, marbles, cubes)
- bins of water
- plastic plates or recycled food trays
- count
- float
- sink
MA Standards:
Mathematics/Counting and Cardinality/PK.CC.MA.4: Count many kinds of concrete objects and actions up to ten, using one-to-one correspondence, and accurately count as many as seven things in a scattered configuration.
Mathematics/Counting and Cardinality/PK.CC.MA.5: Use comparative language, such as more/less, equal to, to compare and describe collections of objects.
Mathematics/Measurement and Data/PK.MD.MA.2: Compare the attributes of length and weight for two objects, including longer/shorter, same length; heavier/lighter, same weight; holds more/less, holds the same amount.
Head Start Outcomes:
Logic and Reasoning/Reasoning and Problem Solving: Classifies, compares, and contrasts objects, events, and experiences.
Science Knowledge/Scientific Skills and Method: Observes and discusses common properties, differences, and comparisons among objects.
PreK Learning Guidelines:
Mathematics/Number Sense 2: Connect many kinds/quantities of concrete objects and actions to numbers.
Mathematics/Measurement 14: Use nonstandard units to measure length, weight, and amount of content in familiar objects.
How Many Sink It?
© Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department of Early Education and Care (Jennifer Waddell photographer). All rights reserved.
Skill Focus: Counting, Math (One-to-One Number Correspondence), Vocabulary
Explain to children that they are going to continue to explore floating and sinking.
- Tell children you want them to work with a partner and each one uses the same object to find which boats hold the most objects without sinking.
- Ask them to take turns, placing one object on their boats at a time, alternating back and forth.
- Have children place a dot on their paper for each object they place on the boat.
- When one boat sinks, both children count their dots and determine which boat sank with the fewest number of objects. Which boats held the most objects without sinking?
- Then have them use another object and repeat.
- Encourage children to discuss why they think some boats sink faster than others.
English Language Learners: Have children count with you in their home language. Say the words in English and have children repeat them after you. Repeat as children gain mastery.