M & M Math

March 20th

Good morning, blogging Moms! Today we are focusing on counting, sorting and color recognition.

Theme: M & M Math

Materials Needed: M & M Counting Book by Barbara Barbieri McGrath, Small Package of M&M's, Color Sorting Sheet, Graphing Sheet, Crayons

Developmental Skills: Counting, Color Recognition, Sorting, Graphing, Fine Motor Skills, Comparing and Contrasting, Predicting

Activity:

Give your children a handful of M & M's. Have them predict how many M & M's they have (depending on your child's level, have them count how many they have and compare it to their prediction). Have them put the colored M & M's on the colored sorting sheet. We made ours by drawing circles and coloring them in with crayons. After sorting the M & M's, have them count how many they have of each color. Discuss with your child which color has the most, the least, the same, etc. Next, help your child fill in the graphing sheet. Depending upon your child's level, it might be easier for your child to lay the M & M's on the paper, or if they are more advanced have them color in the squares.

Extension Activities:

If your child is ready to explore addition and subtraction, help them create math problems by adding two different colors. They can subtract by eating some of the M & M's.

Teacher's Tip:

This is a great activity to help your child learn how to listen and follow directions. In doing this activity with your child, give specific and simple directions for them to follow. For example, you might say, "Count only the red M & M's." Gradually increase to a variety of two-step and three-step directions. This is an essential skill students need to be successful in the classroom.