Together partners decide how to measure around the base of a geoblock with a piece of string. Students use the display to compare and answer questions about the information they gathered. Challenge students to organize the data by ordering the geoblocks according to the lengths around their bases. They take turns testing objects to see if they float or sink and re-sort the groups according to the results of their experiments. Students discuss other common attributes of each of the groups.
Students discuss their strategies for making the estimates.
Allow them to change their estimates during the discussion, if they desire. Order the estimates on a number line graph drawn on the board or on a large strip of paper, and have students discuss any patterns they see in the set of estimates. Each student prints each letter of his or her name on a square of paper. Students work together to sort the letters and display them in a bar-type graph to help answer the question. Divide a box of cereal or pasta among the class, putting each child's sample in a small paper cup.