Empty containers can provide opportunities to explore comparisons, measurement, estimation, and geometry. Rice, popcorn kernels, or water Marker Masking tape Paper What to do Have your child choose an empty container each day and label it for the day by writing the day on a piece of masking tape and sticking it on the container. Put all the containers that hold more in one spot, those that hold less in another, and those that hold the same in yet another. The process of predicting, filling the containers, and comparing how much each will hold, gives your child the opportunity to experiment with measurement without worrying about exact answers. It is helpful to explore whole numbers and fractions through measurement and estimation.
Children can see relationships and the usefulness of studying fractions.
Other containers with which to compare What to do Have your child run a piece of masking tape up the side of the container so that it is straight from the bottom to the top. For younger children, use a 1-cup measure. Pour the chosen amount of a substance listed above into the container. Follow this procedure until the container is full, and the tape is marked in increments to the top of the container. Now, the jar is marked evenly to measure the capacity of other containers.