Hot Cocoa Math

My heart is in the lower elementary grades and this activity is a really good illustration why.  Who wouldn`t love having a job that requires you to taste yummy things and play with awesome kids all day?
I love how this activity is so hands on and while students are having fun they are learning crucial math skills that will help them in subsequent grades.
This activity is also another demonstration of my big idea that numbers can be represented in an infinite amount of ways.  Here we see them represented in the marshmallows, as well as on the charts that are created and on the tens squares.  The visual representation of the numbers is wonderful. There can be a lot of discussion and interaction during this activity which makes it much more meaningful to students. This lesson is hands-on and fun for students and teacher alike.  LOVE IT!

This great activity is taken from Apples and ABC's http://applesandabcs.blogspot.ca/2012/01/hot-cocoa-math.html

Hot Cocoa Math

The kids had a wonderful time using marshmallows as math manipulatives.  We are studying numbers 11-20.  The students made a mug out of construction paper and were allowed to glue down marshmallows to display any number between 11-15.

Step 1:  Cut and paste

Step 2: Glue down marshmallows

Step 3: Count marshmallows and write the number on the line

The next part of our lesson, we used our 5 senses to taste and investigate hot chocolate.  After we tasted our cocoa, we graphed our opinion if we liked the taste or not.

This chapter we are learning to count to 20 using 10 Frames.  I decided to use the previous cocoa mugs, to make a center station practicing showing sets of numbers 11-20.  The students chose a mat, and then placed marshmallows in the 10 frame to show the number on the mug.

**I try to post the objective and standards on each bulletin board, so parents and administration know what 

we are working on in class.  Here is what is posted around this board:

Hot Cocoa Math

Objective:  In math, we are focusing on numbers 11-15.  We are practicing counting and writing these numbers.  The students were able to choose how many (between 11-15) marshmallows that they wanted to glue onto their cup of hot cocoa.  We also used our sense of taste to take a sip of hot cocoa to see if we liked it.  Then we graphed if we did or did not like the taste of hot cocoa.  The following standards were addressed:

Math: Number Sense

1.2  Count, recognize, represent, name and order a number of objects (up to 30)

Statistics, Data Analysis, and Probability

1.1  Pose information questions, collect data, and record using graphs

Science: Investigation and Experimentation

4.0   Observe common objects by using the 5 senses: taste, smell

Taken from Apples and ABC's  http://applesandabcs.blogspot.ca/2012/01/hot-cocoa-math.html

I love how the teacher includes parent and administration in what is going on in the classroom and the finished product of this activity makes a great bulletin board for students to enjoy and take pride in their work.  I really like this activity and I think there are even opportunities for assessment in regards to number recognition and representation.