101 Number Activities

C
HAPTER
4
Science
Materials
Rice
Large plastic container
Measuring cups
Measuring spoons
Small plastic containers
Activity
Put uncooked rice in a large plastic container, such as a dishpan or a large storage box. Set out measuring
cups, measuring spoons, and small plastic containers in various sizes (yogurt cup, cottage cheese
container, peanut-butter jar, etc.). Invite a child to join you. Give the child a 1-cup measuring cup and a 
1
⁄
4
-cup measuring cup. Ask the child to predict how many 
1
⁄
4
-cups will fit into the 1-cup measuring cup,
then help the child use the 
1
⁄
4
-cup to fill one of the small plastic containers. Have the child compare his or
her prediction with the actual number. Was his or her guess more, less, or exactly right? Let the child
choose another plastic container or another measuring cup and repeat the experiment.
49
SHADOW LENGTHS
Materials
Stick
Measuring tape
Paper
Pencil
Activity
On a sunny day, prop a 3-foot stick upright in the ground. Take the children outside throughout the day to
measure the length of the shadow cast by the stick. Keep track of the time of day and the length of the
shadow. Show the results to the children. Ask them to think about how the shadow’s length varied as the
day progressed.
48
MEASURING RICE
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© McGraw-Hill Children’s Publishing
1-57029-488-7 101 Number Activities
44
50
WHICH HOLDS THE MOST?
Science
Materials
Plastic containers
Water
Measuring cup
Paper cups
Marker
Activity
Collect five plastic containers that hold varying amounts of water. (Try a food storage container, a baby
bottle, a drinking cup, a small pitcher, and a clear-plastic vase.) Show the containers to the children. Ask
them to estimate which container will hold the most water, the next most, and so on. Line up the
containers in the order of their estimations from most to least. Then let the children count as you pour
cups of water into the first container until it is full. Write the number of cups on a paper cup and place it in
front of that container. Repeat with the other four containers. Ask the children to look at their results. Are
the containers arranged in the correct order from most to least water held? Have the children help
rearrange the containers as necessary.
Hint: Cover a table with a large beach towel and place the containers on the towel to catch any drips
or spills.
Variation: Instead of using water, try filling the containers with sand, rice, split peas, or dried beans.
Variation: Measure the cups each container will hold ahead of time. Write the numbers on paper
cups. Show the children the containers and the paper cups. Have them place each numbered paper
cup in front of the container they think will hold that amount.
© School Specialty Publishing

---

© McGraw-Hill Children’s Publishing
1-57029-488-7 101 Number Activities
45
Science