Math time: Counting Jar

     We use a math series called Investigations.  I believe this series is great because it teaches students the meaning behind the concepts we learn in math, not just math facts.  There are a lot of hands-on experiences as well as games.  Something we did this week was called "The Counting Jar."  The children loved it.  I put a quantity of items into the jar.  Once they determined how many were in there, they had to make sets of the same amount of different items.  This was a great exercise in counting and then applying their quantity recognition.  Plus, it gave them time to work with their peers and play with the dice, dominoes, and small animals!