Maths concepts – Measurement and sorting, graphing and data analysis

This is a wonderful activity to explore comparative words such as long and short, light and heavy, float and sink etc.

Step 1 – Go on a nature hunt and gather different objects that may sink or float such as leaves, feathers, flowers, rocks, sticks, etc.

Step 2 – Fill 2 large clear containers with water and label one “Sink” and one “Float”.

Step 3 – Explain to your child that the one container is for things that are light and will float and the other container is for things that are heavy and will sink.

Step 4 – One by one allow your child to pick up each object and ask “Will this sink or float” and then choose which container to place it in.

Once the objects have been sorted into the sink or float containers through some trial and error, it’s time to start graphing and analyse the data!

We created a simple graph together: on one side was ‘sink’ and the other side ‘float’ and as we removed each item from the sink container we crossed it off on the paper. We then counted how many objects we had in each section. Which one had more? Which one had less?

The object of the activity is not to get it all right, but to learn through the experience and hands on exposure. This is also wonderful for developing prediction and self-correction skills.