Objective:
The students will estimate and count a measured number of objects.

Materials

• Measuring cups - 1 cup, 1/2, and 1/4.  The students will be divided into groups of 4-5 students.  Have enough measuring cups so each group has one of each.  If the students are young, this lesson may also be done as a teacher demonstration and work together as a whole class.  In that situation, only one measuring cup of each size is needed.

• Chocolate chips, m&m's, Tootsie Rolls, or Hershey's Kisses (to be used as manipulatives.)  (As a side note, over 300 chocolate chips will fill a 1 cup measuring cup, therefore, a larger sized candy may be more appropriate for younger students.)

• How Many Pieces of Chocolate? Worksheet

Procedure

1. Pass out the How Many Pieces of Chocolate? Worksheet.  

2. Hold up the 1 cup measuring cup and a handful of the chosen candies (either chocolate chips, m&m's or kisses).  Ask the students how many pieces of this candy will fit into the cup, with it being level on the top.  Have the students record their estimate on the worksheet.

3. Divide the class into groups (if appropriate) and give each group the measuring cups and the candies.  If done as a teacher demonstration, fill the 1 cup with the candies and then work as a class to count for the actual amount.  If the students are in groups, have them work to measure the candies and count them.  Discuss procedures for counting the total.  For example, they may group the candies into piles of 10s for easier counting. 

4. Older students may work on fraction concepts of 1/2 and 1/4 when their total numbers have been counted.  They may also find the differences between their estimates and their actual amounts.

Other Lesson Ideas

1. Have the students graph their favorite way to eat chocolate - i.e. chocolate milk, chocolate pudding, chocolate cake, hot chocolate, etc.

2. Use any of the m&m math books or the Hershey math books for a variety of math activities.

3. On average, each American eats 12 pounds of chocolate per year.  Using a scale, find items in the classroom that equal 12 pounds.