Big Collections and Small Collections

Counting and estimating are tasks that both first and second graders need to work on. To differentiate this work, I offer "big collections" and "small collections" for students to estimate and count. Today's math menu included the choice to work with these collections--just odd batches of items kept in ziplock bags--old keys, spoons, plastic shapes and doodads. The "small collections" for younger children number between five and twelve items. The "big collections" for olders number between fifteen and fifty. The worksheet accompanying the tasks asks students to record "what I had" and an estimate and an actual count. A few of the younger students who were anxious about recording "what I had" in words, drew a picture of the item in that space instead.