Junk Food Math

Sharon Ross                    DeWitt Clinton School
                               6110 N. Fairfield
                               Chicago, Illinois 60659
                               312-508-4025

Objective:

The main objective of this miniteach is to teach 3rd through 4th grade students
estimation and introduce percentage. 
                                       
Materials: 

For each student:

- one zip-lock bag containing 75 randomly chosen Skittles candies and 5 small 
  paper cups 

- classroom set of centimeter grids for graphing results

- worksheet prescribed with a circle in which 75 Skittles can be placed

- worksheet with directions

- box of 8 crayons 

Recommended Strategy:

. Distribute zip-lock bags containing Skittles and paper cups.

. Take out paper cups.

. Estimate amount of each color Skittles.

. Record estimated numbers.

. Count all Skittles and record total.

. Place Skittles by color into paper cups.

. Count Skittles by color and record actual amount of each color.

. Compare sets of candies by color using the less than, greater than, and equal 
  signs.

. On centimeter grid, list colors along horizontal axis.

. On centimeter grid, list numbers from 0 to 25 along vertical axis.

. With corresponding color crayon, color bar graphs to represent the number of 
  each color candy found in the sample.

. Use formula:  

        Color Number X  100 , to calculate the percent of each color.
        Total Number         

. On prescribed circle worksheet, form a pie-shaped wedge out of the predominant
  color.

. Next to the preceding wedge, form another pie-shaped wedge out of the next 
  most frequently occurring color.

. Continue making pie-shaped wedges until all colors are used and the circle 
  is filled.

. Label each pie slice with the percentage number which it represents. 

. The "Junk Food Pie"  may then either be eaten by the student or the pieces 
  may be glued to the paper to keep a permanent record of the results.