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November 11, 2010 | 6 Comments

Math Lesson: Unpack it & Graph it !

I love online shopping. With a handful of small children, you have to love online shopping (because browsing in the stores will make you insane). I never knew what to do with the packing peanuts.

Did you know that when packing peanuts get wet they “melt”?

Here is a fun way to use them to teach your child math. They make quite a perfect fit for counting and graphing. You just need a piece of paper, small bowl with water, a marker, packing peanuts, and glue (not in the picture).

Draw a space and then write the numbers you wish to use. I used 1-5, but this can be a great way to introduce counting by two’s (or anything else).

Have your child dip the ends of the packing peanuts in water. Press the ends together. They will “melt” and fuse to each other. Don’t use too much water or the peanuts will dissolve too much and become mush. You can have your child count out the peanuts as he fuses them together.

Place some glue on the paper and attach the coordinating stack of packing peanuts to the numbers.

The end result is a neat graph that clearly shows which numbers are greater. It is a fun way for children to learn number recognition, counting, graphing, and whatever else you can think of. 🙂

The stack in #4 really does have 4 peanuts, but a little too much water was used and one of the peanuts melted down into almost nothing. We still had a great time and learned a lot.

Filed Under: Age Preschool, Age: Kindergarten, Age: Toddlers, Graphing, Math Activities | 6 Comments

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6 Comments

  1. Deborah says

    November 11, 2010 at 3:47 am

    I didn’t know they melt!

    to Deborah" aria-label='reply to this comment to Deborah'>reply to this comment
  2. Michelle Willow says

    November 11, 2010 at 6:48 am

    Excellent! I have full bag od them and don’t have a slightest idea how to use them! We turned them to sensory bin some time ago 🙂

    to Michelle Willow" aria-label='reply to this comment to Michelle Willow'>reply to this comment
  3. Jackie Lee says

    November 11, 2010 at 7:03 am

    This is a fantastic idea! How fun. I am not really a “math” person and I’ve been having trouble finding fun and interesting activities to get my kiddo interested in math stuff. This will be really fun to do! I think I have packing peanuts around here somewhere!

    to Jackie Lee" aria-label='reply to this comment to Jackie Lee'>reply to this comment
  4. Min says

    November 11, 2010 at 1:42 pm

    Wonderful idea? Can you link this to our Math Monday Math Links?

    Thanks!
    Joyful Learner

    to Min" aria-label='reply to this comment to Min'>reply to this comment
  5. JDaniel4's Mom says

    November 12, 2010 at 12:53 pm

    I love that the machines helped to the craft. The whole team did a great job.

    to JDaniel4's Mom" aria-label='reply to this comment to JDaniel4's Mom'>reply to this comment
  6. Sarah says

    November 12, 2010 at 1:40 pm

    Thanks for the great activity! I just received a package with these packing pieces and KNEW there was a great activity to be found!

    to Sarah" aria-label='reply to this comment to Sarah'>reply to this comment

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