Counting With Bears

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Students learn sorting and counting while working with gummy bears.

OBJECTIVE
Students Will:

1. Sort gummy bears.
2. Count gummy bears.
3. Evaluate their favorite colors of gummy bears and record this information.

MATERIALS

1. Gummy bears
2. Bear Counting Sheet
3. Plastic bags
4. Large chart paper

SET UP AND PREPARE

1. Make a gummy bear sorting worksheet with sections labeling the different colors.
2. Fill plastic bags with about 10-15 gummy bears for each student.
3. Write each student’s name on a small name card.
4. Create a chart with all the gummy bear colors listed across the top.

REPRODUCIBLES

1. Bear Counting Sheet
   
   

DIRECTIONS

PART 1
(You’ll want to have taught colors prior to this lesson.)

Step 1: Pass out the sorting worksheets and markers. Review colors and demonstrate how to color the bears on the sorting sheet.

Step 2: Pass out the plastic bags with gummy bears. Make sure to give your expectations of only touching the gummy bears when given instructions to do so.

Step 3: Model how to sort the bears by placing them on the correct color of the sheet. Have students sort their bears.

Step 4: Circulate to check for student understanding.

Step 5: Show how to count the number of each color and write this number on the sorting sheet.

Step 6: Check student worksheets to make sure they are complete and correlate to their sorting papers. Have students count up all the gummy bears and record the total number on the bottom of the worksheet. Model how to circle the favorite color on the sorting worksheet and write the name of their favorite color on the worksheet. Then allow the students to eat the gummy bears.

PART 2

Step 1: Give each child the card with their name on it.

Step 2: Students should have already circled their favorite color on their worksheet. Call students up one at a time to put their name under the corresponding color on the chart in the front of the room.

Step 3: Ask students to look at the chart and determine the order of most to least favorite based on which have the most and least names under each section.

Step 4: Record this information on the board for the class to see.

SUPPORTING ALL LEARNERS
Allow students to sort one color at a time and help those students who need assistance writing their numbers or names of colors on the worksheet.

LESSON EXTENSION

1. Mark certain areas in the classroom to indicate a particular color of Gummy Bears. Have students stand in the area of their favorite flavor of Gummy Bears. Compare the actual chart they made with their bodies to the representational chart they made earlier by putting their names on the chart.
2. Use different flavors of Teddy Grahams to sort and count.

ASSESS STUDENTS

Teacher Observation:

1. How well did students follow directions?
2. How high could students easily count?
3. Where did they struggle with the lesson?

Written Outcome:

1. Did the students complete their individual sorting and counting correctly?

ASSIGNMENTS
Students will complete sorting and counting worksheet.

HOME CONNECTION
Make parents feel a part of their child's learning experience by sending home regular correspondence to inform them what their child is learning. Use bear stationary to continue the theme.

EVALUATE THE LESSON

1. Was there enough time for students to be successful?
2. What connections did the students make between the written numbers and gummy bears?
3. Were they able to add up the total number of gummy bears?
4. How might you do this lesson differently next time?

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