Count The Skittles

Vernita Smith                  Mahalia Jackson Elementary School
                               917 West 88th Street
                               Chicago IL 60620
                               (312) 535-3341

Objectives:

This mini-teach has been designed for first and second graders.  You may alter 
it in any way to accommodate your grade level.  The main objective is to  
introduce counting and graphing to students in a phenomenological manner.  After    
completion of this lesson students should feel very comfortable with counting 
from one to twenty-five.  In addition, they will become familiar with two types 
of graphs:  the pie graph and the bar graph. 

Materials Needed:

Average size classroom of 20-25 students.

1.  Crayons                           5.  Rulers-one for each student
2.  Scissors                          6.  Tape measure
3.  2x2-Circles                       7.  Height chart
4.  Two 16 oz. bags of skittles (colored candies)

Strategy:

Start out by asking students if they have ever eaten skittles before?  (Answers 
will vary).  Than have the students name the five different colors of Skittles. 
List them on the chalkboard.  Pass out the uncut circles and have them cut 
neatly along the line.  Let the students tell you what shape they have.  Ask how 
many Skittles do you think will fit on the circle?  (Answers will vary.)  Ten 
will fit.  Have them try it and record their answers on the pie graph.  The pie 
graph is divided into ten sections. All students should color the graph 
according to the colors they actually have on their circle.  If a student has 3 
reds (color 3 slices red), 2 yellows (color 2 slices yellow), etc.  Then they 
can record their answers in a fraction.  i.e. 3/10, 2/10, 6/10.  Do the same 
procedure with the rulers.  Have students tell you how many Skittles will fit 
across a ruler.  Twenty-four will fit.  They will then fill out the bar graph 
according to the colors they have.  If students have 7 greens, (color 7 bars 
green) 10 oranges (color 10 bars orange etc).  Lastly, they will guess how tall 
they are in Skittles.  Have each student stand near the height chart and have 
them record their answers.  Each foot will be equal to 24 skittles.  Therefore, 
if the student is 3 feet tall, he/she is 72 skittles tall. 

Performance Assessment:

When lesson is completed ask students if they enjoyed the activity.  Then let 
them tell you why.  (Answers will vary.)  From the pie and bar chart you can see 
the percentage of colors which showed up the most and the least.  With the 
height chart you can determine who is the shortest person and the tallest person 
in the classroom.