ESTIMATION 2
(Mathematics)

• Give each pair/group a pack of wood sticks/matches/toothpicks.
• Each student in a group tries to estimate the number of sticks in the pack (stating the numbers out loud). “Guess, how many pieces of wood there are.” Have them write their guesses down: "Write down the number, please."
• Then, students open the pack and count all sticks, writing the number down. Ask each pair/group what the real number was. Also, ask individual students what their estimate was: “Now count them. How many pieces are there? How many have you got?”
• The winner is the student whose estimate was closest to the real number of sticks: “Oh, great, you are the winner.”
• Eventually have students count the difference between the real number and their estimates: “How many more or less have you got?” Students answer, for example, “I’ve got 4 more, 2 less…”

Variation 1:

Draw a line on the blackboard and have students guess how long it is (in centimetres). Follow the same pattern as with wood sticks.

Variation 2:

Use scales and weight various objects. First, students estimate how much an object weights. Then, they weight it (if they do not know fractional numbers, round the results to whole grams or kilograms).

Variation 3:

Take a container and fill it with pebbles/beads etc. Have children guess how many pebbles/beads there are in the container.

Variation 4:

Students may estimate time, e.g. how long it takes to: name all the letters in the alphabet; tie their shoe lace; colour a picture; etc. Use stopwatch to measure the time.

Back to:
Mathematics

Tento projekt je spolufinancován Evropským sociálním fondem a státním rozpočtem České republiky.