by Pamela Chanko

NEW YORK TORONTO LONDON AUCKLAND SYDNEY MEXICO CITY NEW DELHI HONG KONG BUENOS AIRES

Shoe Box Learning Centers: Time & Measurement Pamela Chanko, Scholastic Teaching Resources

For my parents, whose timely inspiration helped immeasurably! Special thanks to Joan Novelli for her boundless creativity and unwavering support. Thanks also to Peter St. Marie, technical engineer and clockmaker extraordinaire.

Scholastic Inc. grants teachers permission to photocopy the pattern pages from this book for classroom use. No other part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission of the publisher. For information regarding permission, write to Scholastic Inc., 557 Broadway, New York, NY 10012-3999. Edited by Joan Novelli Cover design by Maria Lilja Cover photograph by James Levin/Studio 10 Interior design by Holly Grundon Interior illustrations by James Graham Hale ISBN 0-439-53797-5 Copyright 2005 by Pamela Chanko. Published by Scholastic Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 40 12 11 10 09 08 07 06 05

Shoe Box Learning Centers: Time & Measurement Pamela Chanko, Scholastic Teaching Resources

CON T EN TS
About This Book . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Shoe Box Learning Centers Checklist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Meeting the Math Standards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Shoe Box Learning Center Skill .. . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Reading an Analog Clock

Page

Time
Clockmaker Faces . . . . . . . . . . Hickory, Dickory, Spin the Clock Gimme Fives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bedtime Bears . . . . . . . . . . . . . Buzz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Make My Day . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dragons Day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Time Line Tales . . . . . . . . . . . . Happy Birthday to Me . . . . . . . Penny Parade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow . . . Its a Toss-Up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Egg Timer Estimations . . . . . . . Count on the Calendar . . . . . . . Calendar Cutups . . . . . . . . . . . .............9 Reading an Analog Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Reading an Analog Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Comparing Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Reading a Digital Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Sequencing Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Sequencing Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Sequencing Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Sequencing Time in Years . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Sequencing Time in Years . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Understanding Elapsed Time . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Understanding Elapsed Time . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Understanding Elapsed Time . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Reading a Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Reading a Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Measurement
One-Inch Art . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inchworm, Inchworm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . To Grandmothers House We Go . . . . . . . . . Jump, Frog, Jump! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Maxs Measurement Diner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Growing a Garden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pet Show . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Park It! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Great Gack Olympics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pizza, Please! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Build a Skyline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . To Market, to Market . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Three Bears Fill Their Bowls . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe . . . . . Measuring Mini-Books . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . More Easy-to-Make Shoe Box Learning Centers . . Repeating a Unit of Measure . . . . . . . . . . . 44 . . Measuring Length . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 . . Measuring Length . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 . . Measuring Length . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 . . Measuring Length . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 . . Measuring Height . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 . . Measuring Length and Height . . . . . . . . . . 58 . . Measuring Length and Area . . . . . . . . . . . 60 . . Measuring Length and Perimeter . . . . . . . . 63 . . Measuring Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 . . Measuring Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68 . . Measuring Weight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70 . . Measuring Volume . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72 . . Measuring Volume . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74 . . Choosing Appropriate Measuring Tools . . . . 76 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79

Shoe Box Learning Centers: Time & Measurement Pamela Chanko, Scholastic Teaching Resources

About This Book

A
s a teacher, you know the value of using learning centers in your classroom. Learning centers give you the opportunity to circulate among individuals or small groups of students, providing on-the-spot instruction, scaffolding, and guidance tailored to the needs of each child. Learning centers greatly benefit children as well. By allowing them to work independently and make their own discoveries, centers help children take responsibility for their own learningwhich, in turn, fosters a love of the learning process itself. Centers also give students the opportunity to practice important classroom skills, such as cooperation, teamwork, and respect for the materials. Shoe Box Learning Centers: Time & Measurement enables you to quickly and easily create 30 engaging, hands-on learning centers that teach important mathematical concepts in fun and creative ways. The concepts of time and measurement can seem abstract to children, and can therefore be challenging to teach. The activities in this book help make these concepts concrete for children as they play games, make discoveries, and even create their own learning materials. Just some of the activities youll find are:

To help students get the most out of using the centers, model the activities before inviting children to try them on their own.

fun kits for children to create their own clocks a do-it-yourself clip-on time line a calendar puzzle a year-by-year penny parade a frog-jumping measurement contest an interactive mini-book time and measurement games based on favorite stories and rhymes and much more!
The centers come together quickly with labels, directions, and reproducible pages included in this book. Other shoe box center materials are inexpensive or readily available in your classroom or home. The materials for each center fit neatly inside a shoe box, allowing you to assemble them ahead of time, store them conveniently, and pull them out as needed. With a shoe box, a copier, and a few additional materials, a wealth of exciting, independent activities are at your fingertips!

Shoe Box Learning Centers: Time & Measurement Pamela Chanko, Scholastic Teaching Resources

Setting Up Shoe Box Learning Centers

his book is divided into two sections of 15 centers each: Time (pages 943) and Measurement (pages 4478). The easy-to-follow organization allows you to choose the activities you want to use and set them up in a snap. For each center, youll find:

Title and Directions: The title becomes the shoe box label. Simply copy it
onto colored paper or have children decorate it. Glue the label to one end of the box for easy storage and retrieval. Glue a copy of the student directions to the inside of the box lid.

Materials: Check here to find out which items youll need

for each center. Simply gather the materials and place them in the box.

Shoe Box Setup: Here youll find

simple directions for assembling each center. In most cases, all youll need to do is gather materials and make copies of the reproducibles.

Tips: These ideas include activity

variations and extensions as well as helpful hints for making the most of childrens learning experiences.

Reproducible Pages: The

reproducible pages (record sheets, patterns, game boards, awards, mini-books, and more) for each center immediately follow the Directions page, making them easy to locate and allowing you to see the whole shoe box setup at a glance.

Me asuri Vo l u m en g

ren investiga te volume how muc by seeing h of of the thre different foods will e bears bow fill each ls.

Three Bea rs Their Bowl Fill s Child

Mea suri

ng Volu me

box labe l student directions scissors glue record sheet (pag e 73) three bowl s (small, med cereal ium, and large (such ) uncooked as O-shaped rings ), rice, unco oked elbow resealab noodles le plastic bags teaspoon s pencils

shoe box

Materials

T h re e B Fi ll T h e ir e a rs B o w ls
Directions

Shoe Box

Learning

o build coun ting and addition skills, have children calculate spoonfuls how man of each food y three bow all together ls. Or chal fill the lenge child guess and ren to then find out if a spec number of ified spoonfuls of the dried beans) will a food (such as fill all thre e bowls. 72

Centers: Time

& Measu

rement

Scholastic

efore copy ing a food, such the record sheet, write as O-shaped in students will cereal, measure. for each food Make a reco that rd out enough that you include. Mea sheet of sure bowls. Inclu each food to fill all thre de a little extra of each e each food in a plast . Place ic bag and record shee seal. Plac ts, bowls, e food bags and penc , teaspoons ils in the shoe box. , to one end Glue the of the box label and the stud direction s to the insid ent e of the lid.

Shoe Box Setup

Place the bowls in front of you. 2 Take a record she et. Select a bag of foo d. 3 Look at the food. Gue ss how man y teaspoons of this food will fill Little Bea bowl. Wri rs te number on that your record she et. Do the Bears and same for Mama Papa Bea rs bowl. 4 Measure to see how of the foo many tea spoons d will fit in Write the se number each bowl. s on your record she et. 5 Repeat with a new food.

Teaching

Resources

Shoe Box Learning Centers: Time & Measurement Pamela Chanko, Scholastic Teaching Resources

Meeting the Math Standards

he activities in this book are designed to help you meet the NCTM standards in your classroom. The standards set forth in the NCTM Measurement strand state that classroom instruction should enable students to:

Meeting th e Math St andard

r objects

volume

select approp riate unit/ tool

weight

area

use multip of units le copies

use nonsta standard ndard/ units

time

use tools to measu re Shoe Box

recognize

Shoe Box Learning Center

Clockmak er Faces Hickory, Dickory, Spin the Gimme Fives Clock Bedtime Bears Buzz Make My Day Dragons Day Time Line Tales Happy Birth day to Me Penny Para de Yesterday , Today, Tomorrow Its a TossUp Egg Timer Estimation s Count on the Cale ndar Calendar Cutups One-Inch Art Inchworm, Inchworm X To Grandmot hers Hous X e We Go Jump, Frog , Jump! X Maxs Meas urement X Diner Growing a Garden X Pet Show X Park It! X The Grea t Gack Olym X pics Pizza, Pleas e! X Build a Skyli ne To Market, to Market X Three Bear s Fill Their Bowls The Old Woman Who Lived in a Measuring X Shoe Mini-Books
8

Understan d Measura ble Attribute s

Apply Tech niques and Form ulas

length

recognize

compare/orde

recognize the attributes of length,

volume, weight, area, and time

X X X

X X

understand how to measure using

nonstandard and standard units

select an appropriate unit and tool for the attribute being measured use tools to measure develop common referents for measures to make comparisons and estimates
Each of these standards is covered throughout the book, and each shoe box activity supports several. The chart on page 8 identifies specific target skills for each activity. In addition to helping you meet the content standard for measurement, the shoe box centers in this book support the process standards including problem-solving, reasoning and proof, communication, connections, and representation.

Reinforcing and Assessing Student Learning

ne of the greatest benefits of using centers in math is that they provide teachers with the opportunity to work with small groups or individuals on the concepts and skills being taught in the classroom. The center setup makes it easy to review concepts and provide individual assistance as needed. To record students progress as they move through centers, you may want to create assessment files. To do so, provide a pocket folder for each student. In the first pocket, place a checklist of all the centers so that students can keep track of those they have completed. (See page 7 for a reproducible Shoe Box Learning Centers Checklist.) In the second, have students store completed record sheets for review. For activities that do not require record sheets, sticky notes work well as an assessment tool. Observe students as they work with a shoe box center, and ask related questions. Jot comments on sticky notes, and record the childs name, the date, and the shoe box center name. Keep these on a separate sheet of paper in the pocket folder for easy reference. In addition, comments for any center can be recorded on the checklist. Use these assessments to guide students work with the centers. Encourage students to revisit those centers in which they show a need for more practice.

Shoe Box Learning Centers: Time & Measurement Pamela Chanko, Scholastic Teaching Resources

Learning Centers:

to these attributes

Time & Measur ement

compare and order objects according

X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X

Scholastic Teachi

ng Resour ces

make compa risons/ estimates

recognize

use repetit single unit ion of

recognize

recognize

Shoe Box Learning Centers Checklist

Name
Shoe Box Learning Center
Clockmaker Faces Hickory, Dickory, Spin the Clock Gimme Fives Bedtime Bears Buzz Make My Day Dragons Day Time Line Tales Happy Birthday to Me Penny Parade Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow Its a Toss-Up Egg Timer Estimations Count on the Calendar Calendar Cutups One-Inch Art Inchworm, Inchworm To Grandmothers House We Go Jump, Frog, Jump! Maxs Measurement Diner Growing a Garden Pet Show Park It! The Great Gack Olympics Pizza, Please! Build a Skyline To Market, to Market Three Bears Fill Their Bowls The Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe Measuring Mini-Books

Date

Comments

Shoe Box Learning Centers: Time & Measurement Pamela Chanko, Scholastic Teaching Resources

Meeting the Math Standards

Understand Measurable Attributes
compare/order objects

Apply Techniques and Formulas

select appropriate unit/ tool

use tools to measure

use multiple copies of units

Clockmaker Faces Hickory, Dickory, Spin the Clock Gimme Fives Bedtime Bears Buzz Make My Day Dragons Day Time Line Tales Happy Birthday to Me Penny Parade Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow Its a Toss-Up Egg Timer Estimations Count on the Calendar Calendar Cutups One-Inch Art Inchworm, Inchworm To Grandmothers House We Go Jump, Frog, Jump! Maxs Measurement Diner Growing a Garden Pet Show Park It! The Great Gack Olympics Pizza, Please! Build a Skyline To Market, to Market Three Bears Fill Their Bowls The Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe Measuring Mini-Books
8

X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X

X X X X X X X X X X X X X

X X X

X X X X

X X X X X

X X X X

X X X X

X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X

X X

X X

X X X X X X X X X X X X X

X X X X

X X

X X X X X X X X X X X X

Shoe Box Learning Centers: Time & Measurement Pamela Chanko, Scholastic Teaching Resources

make comparisons/ estimates

recognize volume

recognize weight

use nonstandard/ standard units

recognize length

use repetition of single unit

recognize time

recognize area

Shoe Box Learning Center

X X X X X X X X X X X

Re ading a n An a log Cl oc k

Clockmaker Faces
Children become clockmakers as they create self-portrait clock faces.

Reading an Analog Clock

Materials
shoe box box label student directions scissors glue clock patterns (page 10) paper fasteners pencils crayons yarn (various colors)

Clockmaker Faces
Directions
1 2 3 4
Write the numbers 1 through 12 in the correct spaces on a clock face. Color in the clock face to look like you. Draw eyes and a mouth, and glue yarn for hair. Set the clock to match the time on the classroom clock. Practice setting the clock for different times of day.

Shoe Box Setup

opy the clock patterns onto card stock and cut out the pieces. To create the clocks, pass a paper fastener through the base of each hand and then through the center of the clock. Place the clocks, glue, pencils, crayons, and yarn in the shoe box. Glue the label to one end of the box and the student directions to the inside of the lid. Set aside an eye-level bulletin board or wall space for children to display their completed clocks.

xplain to children that the surface of a clock is called a face. Invite children to share their ideas about how they think it got that name. Let children compare their clock faces and tell how they are alike and different. For time-telling practice, have children set their clocks to the current time at various points throughout the day.

Shoe Box Learning Centers: Time & Measurement Pamela Chanko, Scholastic Teaching Resources

Clockmaker Faces

10

Shoe Box Learning Centers: Time & Measurement Pamela Chanko, Scholastic Teaching Resources

Re ading a n An a log Cl oc k

Hickory, Dickory, Spin the Clock

Children practice telling time as they help the mouse run up the clock!

Reading an Analog Clock

Materials
shoe box box label student directions scissors glue game board (page 12) spinner and game markers (page 13) paper clip paper fastener

Hickory, Dickory, Spin the Clock

Directions
(for 24 players)

1 2

Each player takes a mouse marker. Place the markers on Start. Take turns spinning the clock. Spin the paper clip and pretend its the hour hand. Read the time to the closest hour. Move your marker forward to the nearest space with the matching time. If you cant find a time that matches, spin again. Continue taking turns until one players mouse reaches the top of the clock.

Shoe Box Setup

opy the game board, spinner, and game markers onto card stock. To set up the spinner, pass the paper fastener through the paper clip, then through the center of the spinner. Adjust the fastener so that the clip spins easily. Place the game board, spinner, and game markers in the shoe box. Glue the label to one end of the box and the student directions to the inside of the lid.

o create a different game board, use correction fluid to white out the time labels and write in your own. Write times to the hour, repeating a series of five or six different times.

Shoe Box Learning Centers: Time & Measurement Pamela Chanko, Scholastic Teaching Resources

11

Hickory, Dickory, Spin the Clock

3:00 10:00 1:00 4:00 7:00

7:00 4:00 1:00

3:00 10:00

7:00 10:00 7:00 1:00 4:00 3:00 4:00

1:00

12

Shoe Box Learning Centers: Time & Measurement Pamela Chanko, Scholastic Teaching Resources

Hickory, Dickory, Spin the Clock

11 10 9 8 7

12

1 2 3 4

4
13

Shoe Box Learning Centers: Time & Measurement Pamela Chanko, Scholastic Teaching Resources

Re ading a n An a log Cl oc k

Gimme Fives
Children practice counting by fives as they tell the time after the hour.

Reading an Analog Clock

Materials
shoe box box label student directions scissors glue clock patterns (page 15) paper fasteners

Gimme Fives
Directions
1 2 3 4
Turn the top circle to point the minute hand to a number. Point the hour hand to a different number. Count by fives to tell how many minutes after the hour it is. Lift the f lap to check your answer.

Shoe Box Setup

opy the clock patterns onto card stock. Cut along the dashed lines on the small circle to create a window flap. To complete the clock, pass a paper fastener through the middle of the X on the hour hand, then through the X on the small circle, and the X on the large circle. Place the clock in the shoe box. Glue the label to one end of the shoe box and the student directions to the inside of the lid.

xplain to children that each number on the clock represents a five-minute span of time. Together, practice counting by fives to tell the time after the hour. You might also discuss the placement of the hour hand and show children how it moves between numbers as the minutes pass.

14

Shoe Box Learning Centers: Time & Measurement Pamela Chanko, Scholastic Teaching Resources

11 10 50 9 8
45 40 35
55

12
60 5

1 2
10 15 20 25

3 4

30

7
Gimme Fives

x x

Shoe Box Learning Centers: Time & Measurement Pamela Chanko, Scholastic Teaching Resources

15

C o m p a r i n g Ti m e

Bedtime Bears
In this game, children compare bedtimes over a week to see who can collect the most teddy bears.

Comparing Time

Materials
shoe box box label student directions scissors glue bedtime board and spinners (page 17) counting bears paper fasteners paper clips pencils

Bedtime Bears
Directions
(for 2 players)

1 2 3 4

Each player spins the hours spinner. Write the number on the first line. Now spin the minutes spinner. Write the numbers on the second line. Read your bedtime for Sunday. Compare bedtimes with your partner. Who went to bed earlier? That player gets a teddy bear. Repeat for each night of the week. Who got the most teddy bears in all?

Shoe Box Setup

ake copies of the bedtime boards. Copy the spinners onto card stock. Place a paper clip in the center of each spinner and fasten loosely with a paper fastener (so that the clip will spin easily). Collect seven colored counting bears for each game. Place the boards, spinners, bears, and pencils in the shoe box. Glue the label to one end of the box and the student directions to the inside of the lid.

alk with children about the concept of P.M. before they play the game. Explain that P.M. hours occur from noon until midnight. After 12 P.M., the numbers start over with 1. The higher the number, the later the hour. Also explain that if children spin a 5 on the minutes spinner, they write that as 05 to show the number of minutes.

16

Shoe Box Learning Centers: Time & Measurement Pamela Chanko, Scholastic Teaching Resources

P. M .

P. M .

P. M .

P. M .

P. M .

P. M .

Bedtime Bears

Wednesday

Thursday

5 10 9 8

Hours

6 7

55 50 45 40

5 10 15 20

Minutes

35

30

25
17

Shoe Box Learning Centers: Time & Measurement Pamela Chanko, Scholastic Teaching Resources

Saturday

Tuesday

Monday

Sunday

Friday

P. M .

Readin g a D i g it al C loc k

Buzz
Children practice setting the alarm on a digital clock they create themselves.

Reading a Digital Clock

Buzz

Materials
shoe box box label student directions scissors glue alarm clock (page 19) pull-through strips (page 19) resealable plastic bags

Directions
1 2
Pull on the first strip to choose an activity. What time do you this activity? Set the alarm on your clock to help you remember. Pull the number strips to show the time you do the activity. Buzz!

Shoe Box Setup

opy the clock face and pull-through strips onto card stock and cut them out. Cut along the dashed lines on the alarm clock to create five pull-through windows. For each clock, thread the strips through as follows: Thread strip 1 (word strip) through top slit of the first window and down through bottom slit. Thread strip 2 (with numbers 01) through the second window; strip 3 (09) through the third window; strip 4 (05) through the fourth window; and strip 5 (09) through the fifth window. Place the clocks in the shoe box. Glue the label to one end of the box and the student directions to the inside of the lid.

ou can expand this activity by creating additional strips for the Time to window. Simply write new activities that children can set their alarms for on a strip of paper. Have children replace the original strip in the first window of their clock with a new one.

18

Shoe Box Learning Centers: Time & Measurement Pamela Chanko, Scholastic Teaching Resources

Strip 1

Strip 2

Strip 3

Strip 4

Strip 5

Wake up.

0 0 1 1 3 2 4 5 6 4 5 7 8 9 3 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Go to school.

Have lunch.

Buzz

Have recess.

Go home.

Shoe Box Learning Centers: Time & Measurement Pamela Chanko, Scholastic Teaching Resources

Eat dinner.

Go to bed.

19

S e qu e n ci n g Ti me

Make My Day
Children make a flip book to create stories about morning, afternoon, and evening activities.

Sequencing Time

Materials
shoe box box label student directions scissors glue flip book template (page 21) paper fasteners crayons pencils

Make My Day
Directions
1 2
Think of activities you do in the morning, afternoon, and evening. Write words and draw pictures in each section of your f lip book to show things you do at each of those times. Flip the pages back and forth to tell different stories about your day. How many different stories can you make?

Shoe Box Setup

ake three or more copies of the template for each book. Line up the sheets and insert paper fasteners through the circles. Cut along the dashed lines to separate the pages of the flip book. Leave the solid lines intact. Place the flip books, crayons, and pencils in the shoe box. Glue the label to one end of the box and the student directions to the inside of the lid.

o take the lesson on time further, modify the flip book template to include clock faces. Children can fill in the hands on the clocks to show the times they do each activity.

20

Shoe Box Learning Centers: Time & Measurement Pamela Chanko, Scholastic Teaching Resources

Make My Day
Name Date

In the morning I . . .

Draw a picture.

In the afternoon I . . .

Draw a picture.

In the evening I . . .

Draw a picture.

Shoe Box Learning Centers: Time & Measurement Pamela Chanko, Scholastic Teaching Resources

21

S e qu e n ci n g Ti me

Dragons Day
Children practice reading time as they sequence the order of events in a dragons day.

Sequencing Time

Materials
shoe box box label student directions scissors glue time sequence cards (pages 2324) rubber bands

Dragons Day
Directions
1 2 3
Shuff le the cards and place them faceup on a table. Look at each picture. Tell what Dragon is doing. Read the time. Put the pictures in order. Tell the story of Dragons day.

Shoe Box Setup

opy the picture cards onto card stock and cut them apart. Shuffle each set of cards and secure with a rubber band. Place the cards in the shoe box. Glue the label to one end of the box and the student directions to the inside of the lid.

iscuss A.M. and P.M. with children before doing this activity. You can also customize decks of cards for students at different levels. For a simpler sequencing activity, use only the cards with hour readings. As children become more proficient, add in the half hours. Children can also sort the cards into A.M. and P.M. piles, or by morning, afternoon, and evening. For an extra challenge, ask children to sequence the cards in reverse order.

22

Shoe Box Learning Centers: Time & Measurement Pamela Chanko, Scholastic Teaching Resources

Dragons Day

7:30 A.M.

8:00 A.M.

8:30 A.M.

9:00 A.M.

9:30 A.M.

10:00 A.M.

10:30 A.M.

11:00 A.M.

11:30 A.M.

12:00 P.M.

12:30 P.M.

1:00 P.M.
23

Shoe Box Learning Centers: Time & Measurement Pamela Chanko, Scholastic Teaching Resources

Dragons Day

1:30 P.M.

2:00 P.M.

2:30 P.M.

3:00 P.M.

3:30 P.M.

4:00 P.M.

4:30 P.M.

5:00 P.M.

5:30 P.M.

6:00 P.M.
24

6:30 P.M.

7:00 P.M.

Shoe Box Learning Centers: Time & Measurement Pamela Chanko, Scholastic Teaching Resources

S e qu e n ci n g Ti me

Time Line Tales

Children clip clothespins on a yarn clothesline to make time lines that sequence events in their day.

Sequencing Time

Materials
shoe box box label student directions scissors glue time line cards (page 26) yarn clothespins crayons pencils paper

Time Line Tales

Directions
1 2 3 4 5
Choose a card. Read the clock. Draw a picture to show what happens in your day at that time. Repeat for each card. Use a clothespin to attach each card and picture in order to the clothesline. Use the time line to tell a story about your day.

Shoe Box Setup

opy the time line cards onto card stock and cut them apart. For each time line, cut a length of yarn (about 36 inches) and attach the number of clothespins youd like to use. Place the cards, time line strings, clothespins, crayons, pencils, and paper in the shoe box. Glue the label to one end of the box and the student directions to the inside of the lid.

or a simpler time line, include four cards with different times and attach four clothespins to the yarn. Use copies of the blank time line card to include more times (such as half hours), or have students designate their own times to make new time lines. As a variation, invite students to create a time line to show what would happen in a perfect day.

Shoe Box Learning Centers: Time & Measurement Pamela Chanko, Scholastic Teaching Resources

25

Time Line Tales

8:00 A.M.

9:00 A.M.

10:00 A.M.

11:00 A.M.

12:00 P.M.

1:00 P.M.

2:00 P.M.

3:00 P.M.

4:00 P.M.

5:00 P.M.
26

6:00 P.M.

____ : ____ P.M.

Shoe Box Learning Centers: Time & Measurement Pamela Chanko, Scholastic Teaching Resources

S e qu e n ci n g Ti me i n Ye a r s

Happy Birthday to Me
Children measure years with candles as they sequence their own birthday cakes.

Sequencing Time in Years

Materials
shoe box box label student directions scissors glue cake patterns (page 28) birthday candle patterns (page 29) resealable plastic bags crayons

Happy Birthday to Me

Directions
1 2 3 4
Choose a set of birthday cakes and candles. Draw a picture on each cake to show what you looked like at that age. Glue candles on each cake to show how many years old you were. Put your birthday cakes in order. How did you change each year?

Shoe Box Setup

ake multiple copies of the cake and candle patterns. Cut out the cakes and candles. Make sets of eight cakes each, labeling them as follows: 1 year old, 2 years old, 3 years old, 4 years old, 5 years old, 6 years old, 7 years old, and 8 years old. Place each set of cakes and candles in a bag. Place the glue, bags, and crayons in the shoe box. Glue the label to one end of the box and the student directions to the inside of the lid.

o add a writing component and make a keepsake time line, have children glue their birthday cakes in order on a long sheet of paper. Have them write or dictate something about each year of their lives.

Shoe Box Learning Centers: Time & Measurement Pamela Chanko, Scholastic Teaching Resources

27

Happy Birthday to Me

28

Shoe Box Learning Centers: Time & Measurement Pamela Chanko, Scholastic Teaching Resources

Happy Birthday to Me

Shoe Box Learning Centers: Time & Measurement Pamela Chanko, Scholastic Teaching Resources

29

S e qu e n ci n g Ti me i n Ye a r s

Penny Parade
Children sequence time by years as they arrange pennies in a parade.

Sequencing Time in Years

Materials
shoe box box label student directions scissors glue parade strips (page 31) sets of 10 pennies (each set to represent 10 different years) resealable plastic bags paper pencils

Penny Parade
Directions
1 2 3
Place the parade strip in front of you. Choose a bag of pennies. Read the year on each penny. Place the pennies on the parade marchers in order. Start with the earliest year. End with the latest year. Record the dates on your pennies in order. Choose another bag of pennies and make a new parade.

Shoe Box Setup

opy the parade strips onto card stock. Tape the strips together to form one long parade. Place each set of 10 pennies in a separate bag. Include a range of years in each set. Place the parade strips, penny bags, paper, and pencils in the shoe box. Glue the label to one end of the box and the student directions to the inside of the lid.

4 5

or a shorter penny parade, use one strip. For a greater challenge, tape three or more strips together to make a longer parade. You can also challenge students to sequence the pennies in reverse order, starting with the latest year and ending with the earliest.

30

Shoe Box Learning Centers: Time & Measurement Pamela Chanko, Scholastic Teaching Resources

Penny Parade

Shoe Box Learning Centers: Time & Measurement Pamela Chanko, Scholastic Teaching Resources

31

U nde rst a ndi ng

Elap sed Time

Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow

Children strengthen math vocabulary with an activity that explores the passage of time.

Understanding Elapsed Time

Materials
shoe box box label student directions scissors glue time and word cards (page 33) resealable plastic bags

Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow

Directions
(for 2 or more players)

Shoe Box Setup

ake multiple copies of the time and word cards. Cut apart the cards. Place the time cards in one bag and the word cards in another. Place the cards in the shoe box. Glue the label to one end of the box and the student directions to the inside of the lid.

1 2

Shuff le each set of cards. Place each stack of cards facedown. Players take turns choosing a card from each stack. Use the time word in a sentence to tell about what happens (or happened) at the time shown on the clock.

or practice telling time, substitute clock cards for the time cards. Draw in hands to show times that correspond to activities in the school day, such as Morning Meeting, Literacy Time, Lunch, and Dismissal.

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Shoe Box Learning Centers: Time & Measurement Pamela Chanko, Scholastic Teaching Resources

Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow

Time Card Time Card Time Card

_____ : _____ A.M.

00

_____ : _____ A.M.

00

_____ : _____ A.M.

11 00

Time Card

Time Card

Time Card

_____ : _____ P.M.

12 00

_____ : _____ P.M.

00

_____ : _____ P.M.

00

Yesterday

Today

Tomorrow

Yesterday

Today

Tomorrow

Shoe Box Learning Centers: Time & Measurement Pamela Chanko, Scholastic Teaching Resources

33

U nde rst a ndi ng

Elap sed Time

Its a Toss-Up
Children keep track of time as they race to complete a variety of activities.

Understanding Elapsed Time

Materials
shoe box box label student directions scissors glue score sheet (page 35) game cubes (page 36) clock or timer pencils

Its a Toss-Up
Directions
(for 2 players)

Shoe Box Setup

ake several copies of the score sheet. Copy the game cube patterns onto sturdy paper and cut them apart. To assemble the cubes, fold along the solid lines and glue to secure. Set aside the blank cube for later use. (See Tip, below.) Place the score sheets, game cubes, clock or timer, and pencils in the shoe box. Glue the label to one end of the box and the student directions to the inside of the lid.

The first player tosses the game cubes. Read the activity on one cube. Read the number on the other cube. This is the number of times you will do the activity. Have your partner write your start time on the score sheet. Do the activity. Record the finish time. Subtract the start time from the finish time to get the total time. The second player repeats steps 1 and 2. Players continue tossing the cubes and keeping score until the score sheets are full. Players add up the minutes in the last column. The player with the lowest score wins the game.

o create new games, make two copies of the blank cube. Write the activities on one cube and the number of repetitions on the other.

3 4

34

Shoe Box Learning Centers: Time & Measurement Pamela Chanko, Scholastic Teaching Resources

Its a Toss-Up
Name Date

Round 1

Start Time _____ : _____

Finish Time _____ : _____

Total Time _______ minutes

Round 2

Start Time _____ : _____

Finish Time _____ : _____

Total Time _______ minutes

Round 3

Start Time _____ : _____

Finish Time _____ : _____

Total Time _______ minutes

Round 4

Start Time _____ : _____

Finish Time _____ : _____

Total Time _______ minutes

Round 5

Start Time _____ : _____

Finish Time _____ : _____

Total Time _______ minutes

Shoe Box Learning Centers: Time & Measurement Pamela Chanko, Scholastic Teaching Resources

35

Game Cubes
GLUE

GLUE

5 times

GLUE

10 times

8 times

9 times
GLUE GLUE GLUE

GLUE

GLUE

GLUE

GLUE

12 times

GLUE

15 times

GLUE

36

Shoe Box Learning Centers: Time & Measurement Pamela Chanko, Scholastic Teaching Resources

GLUE

GLUE

Hop on one foot. Say Spell Write your first a nursery the date. rhyme. name. Count to 10.
GLUE GLUE

GLUE

GLUE

Say the ABCs.

GLUE

GLUE

GLUE

U nde rst a ndi ng

Elap sed Time

Egg Timer Estimations

Children see how much they can do before the sand runs out on an egg timer.

Understanding Elapsed Time

Materials
shoe box box label student directions scissors glue record sheet (page 38) hourglass-style egg timer (1 minute) activity materials (stackable blocks, paper clips, beads, yarn, paper, hole punch, crayons, inkpad, stamper) paper pencils analog clock with second hand

Egg Timer Estimations

Directions
1 2 3
Make sure all the sand is on one end of the timer. Read the first question. Guess how much you can do before the sand runs out. Write your guess. Turn over the timer and do the activity. Stop when all the sand has poured through the timer. Write the number. Repeat with each activity. Guess how long it takes for the sand to run through the timer. Circle your guess. Turn over the timer and watch the clock. Circle the time.

Shoe Box Setup

ake several copies of the record sheet. (Adjust the times listed in the last section on the record sheet as necessary to include a time that matches the egg timer students will use.) Place the record sheets, timer, activity materials, paper, pencils, and clock in the shoe box. Glue the label to one end of the box and the student directions to the inside of the lid.

4 5

Name

Egg Timer Estimatio ns

Date Task
How many beads can you string ?

My Guess

ou can create new games by replacing the activities in the first column with your own. You might like to try silly activities, such as How many jumping jacks can you do? or How many times can you sing Happy Birthday all the way through?

Actual Num ber

How many holes can you punc h?

How many blocks can you stack ?

How many clips can you chain ?

How many stamps can you stam p?

Shoe Box

Learning

38

3 minutes 5 minutes

1 minute 3 minutes 5 minutes

Centers: Time

How long does it take for all the sand to go through the timer ?

1 minute

& Measure ment

Scholastic Teaching Resources

How many smiley faces can you draw ?

Shoe Box Learning Centers: Time & Measurement Pamela Chanko, Scholastic Teaching Resources

37

Egg Timer Estimations

Name Date Task
How many beads can you string?

My Guess

Actual Number

How many holes can you punch?

How many blocks can you stack?

How many clips can you chain?

How many smiley faces can you draw?

How many stamps can you stamp?

How long does it take for all the sand to go through the timer?
38

1 minute 3 minutes 5 minutes

1 minute 3 minutes 5 minutes

Shoe Box Learning Centers: Time & Measurement Pamela Chanko, Scholastic Teaching Resources

Readin g a C ale nd a r

Count on the Calendar

A calendar becomes a game board as children learn about days, weeks, and months.

Reading a Calendar

Materials
shoe box box label student directions scissors glue calendar grid (page 40) game cards (page 41) number cube game markers (different shapes or colors)

Count on the Calendar

Directions
(for 24 players)

Shoe Box Setup

opy the calendar grid and game cards onto card stock. To complete the game board, write the name of the current month and fill in the numerals in the appropriate spaces. If there are directions on the space for the last day of the month, white them out. Cut out the game cards. Place the calendar, game cards, number cube, and game markers in the shoe box. Glue the label to one end of the box and the student directions to the inside of the lid.

Each player takes a game marker. Place all the markers on the first day of the month. Stack the game cards next to the board. Each time a card is used, place it on the bottom of the pile. The first player rolls the number cube and moves ahead that many days on the calendar. The player follows any directions on the space. Then it is the next players turn. Continue taking turns. The first player to reach the end of the month wins the game.
Shoe Box

or a more challenging game, create a game board that covers several months. Simply make extra copies of the calendar grid, fill them in, and tape them together in sequential order.

40

Month
Sunday
Pick a card.

Monday

Tuesday
Pick a card.

Wednesd

ay

Thursday
Trade plac es with anot her player.

Friday

Saturday
Pick a card.

Pick a card. Lose a turn.

Pick a card.

Pick a card.

Its a special day! Go agai n!

Pick a card.

Pick a card.

Go back one spac e. Pick a card.

Pick a card. Pick a card.

Move ahea d 2 spaces.

Trade plac es with anot her player. Pick a card.

Learning

Its a special day! Go agai n!

Pick a card. Go back one spac e.

Centers: Time

& Measure ment

Scholastic Teaching Resources

Shoe Box Learning Centers: Time & Measurement Pamela Chanko, Scholastic Teaching Resources

39

40

Month
Tuesday
Pick a card. Trade places with another player. Pick a card. Its a special day! Go again! Pick a card.

Sunday

Monday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday
Pick a card.

Pick a card.

Pick a card.

Lose a turn. Pick a card. Go back one space.

Pick a card.

Move ahead 2 spaces.

Shoe Box Learning Centers: Time & Measurement Pamela Chanko, Scholastic Teaching Resources

Pick a card. Pick a card.

Pick a card.

Pick a card.

Trade places with another player.

Its a special day! Go again!

Go back one space.

Pick a card.

Count on the Calendar

Todays your lucky day! Move ahead 1 whole week. Its your birthday! Move ahead 3 days. Oops! You forgot to return your library books. Go back 3 days.

You need to catch up on your homework! Move back 1 day.

You cant wait to visit your grandparents this weekend! Move ahead to the next Saturday.

You missed your music club meeting! Go back to the last Tuesday.

Time f lies when youre having fun! Move ahead to tomorrow.

You missed a playdate. Go back to yesterday.

Too much to do in too little time! Move back 1 week.

Its time for a new week at school. Move ahead to the next Monday.

Vacation time goes fast! Move ahead 5 days.

Oh no! You had a cold and missed school. Go back 4 days.

Shoe Box Learning Centers: Time & Measurement Pamela Chanko, Scholastic Teaching Resources

41

Readin g a C ale nd a r

Calendar Cutups
Children practice reading a calendar as they put together a puzzle for different months.

Reading a Calendar

Materials
shoe box box label student directions scissors glue calendar template (page 43) paper lunch bags

Calendar Cutups
Directions
1 2 3 4
Choose a month. Place the calendar board in front of you. Choose the bag of puzzle pieces for the same month. Place each piece on top of the calendar where it belongs. Try it again with a new month.

Shoe Box Setup

ake several copies of the calendar template on card stock, two for each month puzzle youd like to create. Write the name of the month on top and numerals for dates in the appropriate squares. For each puzzle kit, leave one calendar intact and cut the other into pieces (by month, days, and dates). Place the puzzle pieces in a bag and label with the appropriate month. Place the calendar boards and puzzle bags in the shoe box. Glue the label to one end of the box and the student directions to the inside of the lid.

ou might like to note special days on the calendar puzzles, such as vacation days, holidays, and childrens birthdays. For a more challenging puzzle, provide children with filled-in puzzle pieces and a blank calendar board. Children can use sequencing skills and their knowledge of calendars to put the pieces together on top of the board. Make a calendar available for reference.

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Shoe Box Learning Centers: Time & Measurement Pamela Chanko, Scholastic Teaching Resources

Month

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Shoe Box Learning Centers: Time & Measurement Pamela Chanko, Scholastic Teaching Resources

43

R ep ea ti ng a U ni t of Measu re

One-Inch Art
Children become familiar with the inch as a unit of measure as they create a colorful, textured collage.

Repeating a Unit of Measure

Materials
shoe box box label student directions scissors glue one-inch squares of various colors and textures (such as construction paper, foil, tissue paper, gift wrap, wallpaper, and sandpaper) construction paper resealable plastic bags

One-Inch Art
Directions
1 2
Choose a bag of paper. Use the squares in the bag to measure something in the classroom. Arrange the squares on a sheet of paper to make a collage model of the object you measured. Write your measurement on the paper. Glue the paper in place. Use the crayons to add details to your collage. Repeat steps 1 through 3 with a new object.

Shoe Box Setup

ollect a variety of colored and textured paper. Cut the paper into one-inch squares. Store the squares in the bags. Place the squares, glue, and construction paper in the shoe box. Glue the label to one end of the box and the student directions to the inside of the lid.

3 4

or easier cutting, line up sheets of same-sized paper and use a paper cutter to cut square inches. When childrens collages are dry, display them on a bulletin board for a One-Inch Art Gallery. Encourage children to share and compare their work.

44

Shoe Box Learning Centers: Time & Measurement Pamela Chanko, Scholastic Teaching Resources

Measuring
Length

Inchworm, Inchworm
In this game, children use inchworms to measure a variety of leaves.

Measuring Length

Materials
shoe box box label student directions scissors glue inchworm patterns (page 46) leaves of different lengths (or leaf patterns, page 46) paper bag resealable plastic bags

Inchworm, Inchworm
Directions
(for 2 players)

1 2 3 4 5

Shoe Box Setup

opy the inchworms onto heavy green construction paper or card stock and cut them out. Place sets of inchworms in resealable bags. Collect leaves, making sure you have a variety of types and lengths. (If natural leaves are unavailable, make several copies of the leaf patterns and cut them out.) Place the leaves in a paper bag. Place the inchworm bags and leaf bag in the shoe box. Glue the label to one end of the box and the student directions to the inside of the lid.

Each player takes a bag of inchworms. Each player chooses a leaf from the bag. No peeking! Let the worms crawl from one end of the leaf to the other by laying them on the leaf end to end. Repeat with two more leaves. Count all the inchworms. Which player used the most worms all together? Choose new leaves and play again.

ntroduce this shoe box center by sharing Leo Lionnis classic Inch by Inch (Astor-Honor, 1960). In this story, a resourceful inchworm measures different birds. As a variation, invite children to play the game with craft feathers instead of leaves.

Shoe Box Learning Centers: Time & Measurement Pamela Chanko, Scholastic Teaching Resources

45

Inchworm, Inchworm

46

Shoe Box Learning Centers: Time & Measurement Pamela Chanko, Scholastic Teaching Resources

Measuring
Length

To Grandmothers House We Go
Children practice measuring distances as Little Red Riding Hood follows different paths to get to Grandmas house.

Measuring Length

Materials
shoe box box label student directions scissors glue story map (page 48) story cards (page 49) counters (such as dried beans or small math cubes) resealable plastic bags paper pencils

To Grandmothers House We Go

Directions
1 2
Choose a story card. Follow the story to make a path from Little Red Riding Hoods house to Grandmas house. Use counters to show the path. How many counters did you use? Write the story card number and the number of counters on a sheet of paper. Choose a new story card. Find out how many counters long the new path is. Which path is shorter?

Shoe Box Setup

opy the story map and story cards. Place counters in the resealable bags. Place the story maps, story cards, counters, paper, and pencils in the shoe box. Glue the label to one end of the box and the student directions to the inside of the lid.

or a greater challenge, create more complex paths for students to take. You can write your own stories on index cards, including more stops on Little Red Riding Hoods path. You might also like to create stories for her return trip!

Shoe Box Learning Centers: Time & Measurement Pamela Chanko, Scholastic Teaching Resources

47

48

To Grandmothers House We Go
Shoe Box Learning Centers: Time & Measurement Pamela Chanko, Scholastic Teaching Resources

To Grandmothers House We Go
Clue Card 1
Little Red Riding Hood left her house. She stopped to pick some f lowers. She stopped to feed the birds. Then she went to Grandmas.

Clue Card 4
Little Red Riding Hood left her house. She stopped to pat the bunny. She also walked over a bridge. Then she went to Grandmas.

Clue Card 2
Little Red Riding Hood left her house. She stopped to feed the birds. Oops! Little Red forgot her lunch. She went back home to get it. Then she went to Grandmas.

Clue Card 5
Little Red Riding Hood left her house. She stopped in two places to pick some f lowers. Then she went to Grandmas.

Clue Card 3
Little Red Riding Hood left her house. She stopped to say, hello to the deer. She also stopped to feed the squirrels. Then she went to Grandmas.

Clue Card 6
Little Red Riding Hood left her house. She walked over a bridge. She also stopped to feed the squirrels. Then she went to Grandmas.

Shoe Box Learning Centers: Time & Measurement Pamela Chanko, Scholastic Teaching Resources

49

Measuring
Length

Jump, Frog, Jump!

Children enter a frog-jumping contest and measure distance to win a prize.

Measuring Length

Materials
shoe box box label student directions scissors glue masking tape prize ribbons (page 51) yarn plastic jumping frogs (available at variety and toy stores; or at www.orientaltrading.com) rulers pencils paper

Jump, Frog, Jump!

Directions
(for 13 players)

1 2 3 4 5

Choose a frog. Place it on the starting line. Press the back of the frog to make it jump. Use a ruler to measure how far your frog jumped. Write the number of inches on a sheet of paper. Make your frog jump 10 times in all. Record each distance. What is your frogs longest jump? Write the number on a prize ribbon. Wear your ribbon as a necklace!

Shoe Box Setup

et aside an area on the floor for the frog-jumping contest. Use a strip of masking tape to mark the starting line. Copy and cut out the prize ribbons. Punch a hole in the top of each, and string with yarn to make a necklace. Place the prize ribbons, frogs, rulers, pencils, and paper in the shoe box. Glue the label to one end of the box and the student directions to the inside of the lid.

how children how to measure their frogs jumps with a 12-inch ruler, adding up inches as they go. You can also provide them with a yardstick or measuring tape for practice with other tools. Invite children to record their measurements in feet and inches.

50

Shoe Box Learning Centers: Time & Measurement Pamela Chanko, Scholastic Teaching Resources

Jump, Frog, Jump!

Shoe Box Learning Centers: Time & Measurement Pamela Chanko, Scholastic Teaching Resources

51

Measuring
Length

Maxs Measurement Diner

Children measure in inch and half-inch increments when they visit a diner that requires customers to measure their orders!

Measuring Length

Maxs Measurement Diner

Materials
shoe box box label student directions scissors glue game board (page 53) food cards (page 54) game markers and menu (page 55) tape number cube ruler

Directions
(for 34 players, plus waiter)

1 2

Place the food cards in the center of the board. Each player places a marker on a different Start space. Take turns rolling the number cube and moving that many spaces on the board. Follow any directions on the space. When a player lands on Eat Up! he or she picks a food card, measures along the line with the ruler, and says the measurement. The waiter checks the measurement on the menu. If the player is right, he or she keeps the card. If not, the card is put back. Continue until all the cards are gone. The player with the most cards wins.

Shoe Box Setup

opy the game board, food cards, game markers, and menu onto card stock and cut apart. To create the markers, fold in half along the center solid line, then fold the tabs under and tape together to make a base. Place the game board, game markers, food cards, menu, number cube, and ruler in the shoe box. Glue the label to one end of the box and the student directions to the inside of the lid.

ou can expand the game by creating new foods to add to the menu. Draw simple pictures on construction paper, or cut out pictures of foods from magazines. Add the names of the new foods and their measurements to the menu.

52

Shoe Box Learning Centers: Time & Measurement Pamela Chanko, Scholastic Teaching Resources

Maxs Measurement Diner

Game Board

Go back 2 spaces.

Eat up! Start

Eat up!

Skip a turn.

Eat up! Start

Place cards here.

Move ahead 2 spaces. Eat up! Start Go back 2 spaces.

Start

Shoe Box Learning Centers: Time & Measurement Pamela Chanko, Scholastic Teaching Resources

53

Maxs Measurement Diner

Food Cards

cracker french fry cookie

strawberry

milk shake

pickle

pancake

54

Shoe Box Learning Centers: Time & Measurement Pamela Chanko, Scholastic Teaching Resources

ice cream cone

banana

hotdog

Maxs Measurement Diner Menu

Tab Tab Tab

Cracker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 inch inch

Banana . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 inches
Tab

Strawberry . . . . . . . . . . .

1 2

Cookie . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 inches 2

Game Markers and Menu

Hotdog . . . . . . . . . . . 5 1 inches 2
Tab Tab

Ice Cream Cone . . . . 3 1 inches 2

Milk Shake . . . . . . . . . 4 inches

Maxs Measurement Diner

Pickle . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 2 inches

Tab

Shoe Box Learning Centers: Time & Measurement Pamela Chanko, Scholastic Teaching Resources

Pancakes . . . . . . . . . 4 1 inches 2
1
Tab

French Fry . . . . . . . . . . 3 inches

55

Mea sur in g Height

Growing a Garden
Children measure with seeds to see how many they need to grow a garden.

Measuring Height

Materials
shoe box box label student directions scissors glue flower patterns (page 57) craft sticks cut to different lengths green paint unshelled sunflower seeds (in a container) pencils paper

Growing a Garden
Directions
1 2 3
Choose three f lowers. Guess how many seeds tall each f lower is. Write your guesses on a sheet of paper. Measure each f lower by placing the seeds end to end. Start at the bottom of the stem. Stop at the top of the f lower. Count how many seeds tall each f lower is. How close were your guesses? Choose three new f lowers. Grow a new garden.

Shoe Box Setup

ake several copies of the flower patterns. Color, cut out, and laminate the flowers. Cut craft sticks to different lengths. Paint them green. Glue a flower top to each stick. Place the flowers, seeds, pencils, and paper in the shoe box. Glue the label to one end of the box and the student directions to the inside of the lid.

4 5

xtend this activity by providing two varieties of seeds, such as sunflower seeds and bean or pea seeds. Challenge children to grow the same garden with different seeds (for example, sunflower seeds and kidney bean seeds). They can base their estimations on the size of each seed.

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Shoe Box Learning Centers: Time & Measurement Pamela Chanko, Scholastic Teaching Resources

Growing a Garden

Shoe Box Learning Centers: Time & Measurement Pamela Chanko, Scholastic Teaching Resources

57

Le n g t h an d H e i g h t

Measuring

Pet Show
Children have a pet show and present an award to the pets with the largest measurements.

Measuring Length and Height

Materials
shoe box box label student directions scissors glue pet trophies (page 59) toy animals rulers paper pencils crayons

Pet Show
Directions
1 2
Choose three pets to enter in a pet show. Measure the first pet. Use a ruler to see how long and how tall. Write the number of inches on a sheet of paper. Repeat step 2 for each pet. Give the tallest pet an award. Give the longest pet an award. Fill in the blank to tell the kind of pet. Write the winning measurement. Choose three new pets and have another pet show.

Shoe Box Setup

ake copies of the pet trophies. Gather a variety of plastic or plush animals of different sizes. Place the trophies, animals, rulers, paper, pencils, and crayons in the shoe box. Glue the label to one end of the box and the student directions to the inside of the lid.

3 4

ntroduce this shoe box center by sharing Loreen Leedys Measuring Penny (Holt, 1998). In this story, a girl measures her pet dog in many creative ways for a homework assignment. Invite children to suggest different body parts to measure (ears, tails) and measuring tools to use (dog biscuits, cotton swabs). Children can also weigh their pets on a balance scale.

58

Shoe Box Learning Centers: Time & Measurement Pamela Chanko, Scholastic Teaching Resources

Pet Show
I measured to see which pet was the best. which pet was the best. This pet was bigger than all the rest! I measured to see

This pet was bigger than all the rest!

Pet Name inches long!

Pet Name inches tall!

Shoe Box Learning Centers: Time & Measurement Pamela Chanko, Scholastic Teaching Resources

59

L ength and Area

Measuring

Park It!
Children follow an architects blueprint to park cars on a lot they design.

Measuring Length and Area

Materials
shoe box box label student directions scissors glue parking lot template (page 61) blueprint cards (page 62) toy vehicles of various sizes rulers crayons

Park It!

Directions
1 2 3
Take a parking lot sheet. Choose a blueprint card. Place a car on the lot. Draw lines to show the parking space. Follow the blueprint to draw more parking spaces for more cars. Use a ruler to measure and mark the space between each car. Park the cars on your lot. How many cars did you fit? Use the blank card to make your own parking lot blueprint. Try it out.

Shoe Box Setup

ake copies of the parking lot template and blueprint cards. Cut out the cards. Collect toy vehicles of different sizes. Place the parking lot sheets, blueprint cards, vehicles, rulers, and crayons in the shoe box. Glue the label to one end of the box and the student directions to the inside of the lid.

4 5

or a simplified activity on area, have children sort the toy vehicles into piles by size. Invite children to guess how many cars of each size will fit on the lot and then park them according to a blueprint to find out.

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Shoe Box Learning Centers: Time & Measurement Pamela Chanko, Scholastic Teaching Resources

Park It!

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Park It!
Parking Lot Blueprint
Space between each car: 1 inch Space between each row: 1 inch

Parking Lot Blueprint

Space between each car: 1
1 2

inches

Space between each row: 1 inch

Parking Lot Blueprint

Space between each car: 1 inch Space between each row: 1
1 2

Parking Lot Blueprint

Space between each car: 1
1 2

inches

Space between each row: 1

1 2

inches

inches

Space between each car: __

Make Your Own Parking Lot Blueprint

Space between each row:

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Shoe Box Learning Centers: Time & Measurement Pamela Chanko, Scholastic Teaching Resources

M eas uri n g Leng th and Per imeter

The Great Gack Olympics

Children perform great feats with gack and measure their results to win an award!

Measuring Length and Perimeter

Great Gack Olympics

Materials
shoe box box label student directions scissors glue event cards and certificates (page 64) gack (stretch play putty) plastic eggs rulers yarn pencils paper

The Great Gack Olympics

Directions
(for 13 players)

1 2 3 4 5

Choose an event card. All players follow the instructions for the event. Record your measurements on paper. Repeat the event three times. Circle your best score. Win your award! Write the name of the event and your best score. Choose a new event and play again.

Shoe Box Setup

opy the event cards and certificates. Place handfuls of play putty in separate eggs, using the same amount for each. Cut yarn into one-foot lengths. Place the event cards, certificates, putty, rulers, yarn, pencils, and paper in the shoe box. Glue the label to one end of the box and the student directions to the inside of the lid.

ommercial play putty may work best for this activity, but you can also make your own. Mix one part liquid starch and one part white glue. Add food coloring if you like. Let dry a bit until workable. Add more starch or glue as needed until you get the desired consistency. Store in an airtight container.

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The Great Gack Olympics

Gack Stretch Great Gack Event
Stretch your gack as far as you can. Your gack must stay in one piece! Measure your stretch with a ruler.

Gack Splat Great Gack Event

Flatten your gack into a circle. Measure around the circle with yarn. Line up the yarn next to a ruler to measure your circle.

Olympics

Olympics

Gack Snake Great Gack Event

Roll your gack into a snake. Make your snake as long as you can. Measure your snake with a ruler.

Gack Art Event

Use a pencil to draw a picture of yourself on a sheet of paper. Flatten the gack on your picture. Press. Pull off the gack. Stretch your picture as far as you can. Measure your picture with a ruler.

Olympics

Great Gack Olympics

Name

Great Gack Olympics

64

Event World Record

inches!

Shoe Box Learning Centers: Time & Measurement Pamela Chanko, Scholastic Teaching Resources

Measuring Area

Pizza, Please!
Children explore area as they top pizzas with favorite fixins!

Measuring Area

Materials
shoe box box label student directions scissors glue pizza patterns (page 66) pizza menu sheets (page 67) pizza toppings (such as buttons, bingo markers, dried beans) resealable plastic bags pencils

Pizza, Please!
Directions
1 2 3 4 5 6
Take a menu. Place the small pizza in front of you. Choose a topping. How many pieces will fit on your pizza? Write your guess on the menu. Place the toppings on your pizza until it is full. Make sure all the pieces touch without overlapping. Count the pieces and write the number. Repeat with the medium and large pizzas. Choose a new topping and try it again.

Shoe Box Setup

opy the pizza patterns onto card stock and cut them out. Make several copies of the pizza menu sheet. Place each topping in a separate resealable bag. Label each bag with a topping name (such as pepperoni, meatballs, and sausage). Place the pizzas, menu sheets, bag of toppings, and pencils in the shoe box. Glue the label to one end of the box and the student directions to the inside of the lid.

o incorporate fractions, have students estimate and count how many toppings will fit on half a pizza, a quarter of a pizza, an eighth of a pizza, and so on.

Shoe Box Learning Centers: Time & Measurement Pamela Chanko, Scholastic Teaching Resources

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Pizza, Please!

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Shoe Box Learning Centers: Time & Measurement Pamela Chanko, Scholastic Teaching Resources

Pizza, Please!
Name Date

Small Pizza Menu

Pizza Topping My Guess How Many Pieces?

Topping 1 Topping 2 Topping 3

Medium Pizza Menu

Pizza Topping My Guess How Many Pieces?

Topping 1 Topping 2 Topping 3

Large Pizza Menu

Pizza Topping My Guess How Many Pieces?

Topping 1 Topping 2 Topping 3

Shoe Box Learning Centers: Time & Measurement Pamela Chanko, Scholastic Teaching Resources

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Me as u ring Ar ea

Build a Skyline
Children explore the concept of area as they roll number cubes to build a city with a centimeter grid.

Measuring Area

Materials
shoe box box label student directions scissors glue centimeter grid (page 69) number cubes pencils paper crayons and markers

Build a Skyline
Directions
(for 2 players)

Shoe Box Setup

ake several copies of the centimeter grid. Place them in the shoe box along with two number cubes for each child, pencils, paper, crayons, markers, glue, and scissors. Glue the label to one end of the box and the student directions to the inside of the lid.

Roll the number cube two times. Write the numbers on your paper. Use the higher number for the height of your first building. Use the lower number for the width. Color in squares on the grid to match the numbers you rolled. Roll the number cubes again to plan your next building. Color in squares to make this building. Keep rolling and coloring to make as many buildings as you can with your squares. You can use a different color for each building. Cut out each building. Glue your buildings to a sheet of paper to make a city. Draw other things that you see in your city.

2 3 4

o make mathematical comparisons, display childrens skylines next to one another in a row. Challenge children to count the squares to figure out which buildings have the largest area. Which have the same area? Do these buildings have to have the same height and width or can they be different? Let children use linking cubes or blocks to create their buildings on a larger scale.

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Shoe Box Learning Centers: Time & Measurement Pamela Chanko, Scholastic Teaching Resources

Build a Skyline

Shoe Box Learning Centers: Time & Measurement Pamela Chanko, Scholastic Teaching Resources

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Measuring We i g h t

To Market, to Market
Children go shopping to see whose grocery bag holds the most weight!

Measuring Weight

Materials
shoe box box label student directions scissors glue shopping lists (page 71) balance scale groceries (3 cans of soup, 5 single-serving boxes of cereal, 3 small juice boxes, 5 small cans of cat food, 7 snack-size boxes of raisins) paper lunch bags

To Market, to Market
Directions
(for 2 players)

1 2 3 4 5

Each player chooses a shopping list. Read your lists. Guess whose groceries will weigh more. Now go shopping! Place each item on your list in a bag. Place the bags on the balance scale. Which groceries weigh more? Choose two new lists and play again.

Shoe Box Setup

opy the shopping lists and cut them apart. Place a balance scale in the center. Place the shopping lists, groceries, and paper bags in the shoe box. Glue the label to one end of the box and the student directions to the inside of the lid.

xpand students investigations with weight by creating new shopping lists. If you have play food in the classroom, include those items on shopping lists. Children might also enjoy creating play produce to add to the lists. Provide them with colored clay and have them create bananas, oranges, pears, carrots, and other fruits and vegetables.

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Shoe Box Learning Centers: Time & Measurement Pamela Chanko, Scholastic Teaching Resources

To Market, to Market
Shopping List 1
1 can cat food 1 box cereal 1 juice box

Shopping List 4
1 can soup 2 boxes cereal 1 box raisins

Shopping List 2
2 juice boxes 1 box raisins 1 box cereal

Shopping List 5
2 boxes raisins 1 box cereal 1 can cat food

Shopping List 3
1 can soup 1 can cat food 2 boxes raisins

Shopping List 6
1 box raisins 1 can soup 2 cans cat food

Shoe Box Learning Centers: Time & Measurement Pamela Chanko, Scholastic Teaching Resources

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Measuring Vo l u m e

Three Bears Fill Their Bowls

Children investigate volume by seeing how much of different foods will fill each of the three bears bowls.

Measuring Volume

Materials
shoe box box label student directions scissors glue record sheet (page 73) three bowls (small, medium, and large) cereal (such as O-shaped rings), uncooked rice, uncooked elbow noodles resealable plastic bags teaspoons pencils

Three Bears Fill Their Bowls

Directions
1 2 3
Place the bowls in front of you. Take a record sheet. Select a bag of food. Look at the food. Guess how many teaspoons of this food will fill Little Bears bowl. Write that number on your record sheet. Do the same for Mama Bears and Papa Bears bowl. Measure to see how many teaspoons of the food will fit in each bowl. Write these numbers on your record sheet. Repeat with a new food.

Shoe Box Setup

efore copying the record sheet, write in a food, such as O-shaped cereal, that students will measure. Make a record sheet for each food that you include. Measure out enough of each food to fill all three bowls. Include a little extra of each. Place each food in a plastic bag and seal. Place record sheets, bowls, food bags, teaspoons, and pencils in the shoe box. Glue the label to one end of the box and the student directions to the inside of the lid.

o build counting and addition skills, have children calculate how many spoonfuls of each food all together fill the three bowls. Or challenge children to guess and then find out if a specified number of spoonfuls of a food (such as the dried beans) will fill all three bowls.

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Shoe Box Learning Centers: Time & Measurement Pamela Chanko, Scholastic Teaching Resources

Name

Date

Three Bears Fill Their Bowls

Food
Little Bears Bowl Mama Bears Bowl Papa Bears Bowl

Estimate
teaspoons teaspoons teaspoons

Measurement
teaspoons teaspoons teaspoons

Name

Date

Three Bears Fill Their Bowls

Food
Little Bears Bowl Mama Bears Bowl Papa Bears Bowl

Estimate
teaspoons teaspoons teaspoons

Measurement
teaspoons teaspoons teaspoons

Shoe Box Learning Centers: Time & Measurement Pamela Chanko, Scholastic Teaching Resources

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Measuring Vo l u m e

The Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe

Children explore volume with a favorite nursery rhyme.

Measuring Volume

Materials
shoe box box label student directions scissors glue record sheet (page 75) shoes (different sizes) small objects (such as counting bears, blocks, clothespins, and uncooked bow-tie noodles) resealable plastic bags pencils

The Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe

Directions
1 2 3 4 5 6
Take a shoe. Choose an item to fill the shoe. Take a shoe sheet. Write the name of the item in the first two spaces How many will fit in the shoe? Write your guess. Then fill the shoe to the top. Empty the shoe and count the items. Write your answer. Read the rhyme! Choose a new item and repeat.

Shoe Box Setup

opy the record sheets. Collect a variety of old shoes in different sizes, such as baby shoes, a child-size sneaker, and an adult loafer. Remove any laces to make shoes easier to fill. Collect a variety of shoe-filling items (any item of uniform size will work). Place a number of each item in a separate resealable bag. Place the record sheets, bags, pencils, and shoes in the shoe box. Glue the label to one end of the box and the student directions to the inside of the lid.

ou may want to place one shoe in the shoe box at a time and rotate each week. Or place two shoes of different sizes in the shoe box at once. Invite children to use the same item to fill each shoe, using the size of each shoe to help make estimates.

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Shoe Box Learning Centers: Time & Measurement Pamela Chanko, Scholastic Teaching Resources

There was an old woman who lived in a shoe.

The Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe

She had so many

she didnt know what to do! How many

will fit in her shoe?

My Guess: My Answer:

Shoe Box Learning Centers: Time & Measurement Pamela Chanko, Scholastic Teaching Resources

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Choosing Appropriate M e a s u r i n g To o l s

Measuring Mini-Books
Children create a book to show which tools they can use to make different kinds of measurements.

Choosing Appropriate Measuring Tools

Materials
shoe box box label student directions scissors glue mini-book pages (pages 7778) mini-book pictures (page 78) paper crayons

Measuring Mini-Books
Directions
1 2 3
Write your name on the cover. Cut out the measuring tool pictures. You can color them in if you like. Look at each page. Which tool would you use? Write what you would use to measure it. Paste the picture in the space.

Shoe Box Setup

ake copies of the mini-book pages and pictures. Cut apart the book pages, place them in order, add a cover, and staple them together. Place the mini-books, pictures, crayons, scissors, and glue in the shoe box. Glue the label to one end of the box and the student directions to the inside of the lid.

ou can expand childrens mini-books by adding blank pages. Invite children to draw more things theyd like to measure, and have them write the names for and draw pictures of the tools they would use. Once childrens books are complete, invite them to share their books with partners. Encourage them to discuss different ways they could use each tool and measure each item.

it? What time is Use a

How long is it?

1 Use a

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Shoe Box Learning Centers: Time & Measurement Pamela Chanko, Scholastic Teaching Resources

Measuring Mini-Books

What time is it? Use a .

How cold is it outside? Use a .

How long is it? Use a .

How much does it hold? Use a .

Shoe Box Learning Centers: Time & Measurement Pamela Chanko, Scholastic Teaching Resources

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Measuring Mini-Books

What day is it? Use a .

Which weighs more? Use a .

ruler scale

thermometer

clock

calendar

measuring cup

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Shoe Box Learning Centers: Time & Measurement Pamela Chanko, Scholastic Teaching Resources

dd to your supply of shoe box centers periodically by creating fresh activities to keep student interest strong. Following are more ideas for making shoe box centers that reinforce counting skills. For each, use the reproducible templates (right) to make a label and write student directions. Glue the label to one end of the box and the student directions to the inside of the lid.

More Easyto-Make Shoe Box Learning Centers A

Directions

What Time Is It?

Children practice telling time as they make clock collages. Stock a shoe box with pictures from magazines and advertisements that show clocks and watches. Also provide scissors, glue, paper, pencils, and markers. Have children cut out pictures of clocks and watches from the print material and use them to make a collage. Ask them to record the time (or just the hour for a simpler exercise) next to each picture. Use the pictures to help students learn more about the features of clocks and watches. Students can classify pictures by these features for example, sorting by those that show hands and those that dont and those that have numbers and those that dont.

Shoe Box Learning Centers: Time & Measurement Pamela Chanko, Scholastic Teaching Resources

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Five-Minute Alarm
Teach concepts of time with a center that also strengthens estimation and reading skills. Place an alarm clock or timer in a shoe box, along with sticky notes and several picture books about time. Have children choose a book to read and place a sticky note on the page they think they can read to in five minutes. Have them set the alarm or timer for five minutes and then read. When the alarm goes off, have children check to see how close they came to their estimates. They can set the alarm or timer and try again. As a variation, try 10, 15, or 20 minutes. Encourage children to make reasonable estimates.

cards, and measuring tools in the shoe box. Have children shuffle the cards, place them facedown, and then randomly select an object and turn over the top card. Have children tell whether they think the measurement matches the object (and if not, is the object longer or shorter than the measurement on the card), and then measure to find out.

Craft-Stick Squares
Children build a square with craft sticks to explore measurements of area. Place sets of four craft sticks in bags, one set per bag. Show students how to use the sticks to form a square (overlapping the ends at each corner). Stock the shoe box with the craft sticks, lots of small objects (such as bear counters, buttons, dried beans, and paper clips; each type of item stored in a separate bag), paper, and pencils. Have children use the sticks to form a square and then choose a type of object to place in the square. Ask children to estimate how many of each object will fit in the square and then fill the square to find out. To keep the center fresh, periodically rotate new objects into the shoe box. Students can experiment with using four rulers to form squares, too.

Match That Measurement

Children learn about selecting appropriate units and tools for the attributes being measured with an easy-to-make matching game. Glue pictures of various measuring tools (such as a ruler, yardstick, meter stick, tape measure, measuring cups, measuring spoons, and scales) on index cards. Glue pictures of objects that people might measure (such as a sheet of paper, a fence, a person, flour, apples or other produce, water, and salt) on index cards. Place the picture cards in the shoe box. Have children match the cards to show which tool they would use to measure each object. Its okay to match more than one object to a measuring tool. Periodically add new cards to the shoe box to provide more practice.

Mini-Muffin Makers
Children explore volume as they fill mini-muffin tins with different substances. Place a mini-muffin tin (a toy tin with six sections is a good size, but a baking tin with 12 sections will work, too), baking cups, cup-size yogurt containers filled with various dry substances (such as sand, small uncooked noodles, dried beans, and flour), measuring spoons, paper, and pencils in a shoe box. Have children guess how much of each substance it will take to fill the muffin cups and then measure to find out. Have them record guesses and actual amounts and then compare.

Is It or Isnt It?
Provide practice in estimating length with this fun guessing game. Collect an assortment of small objects ranging from 1/2 inch long to about 10 inches long. Examples of objects are a rubber band, a stick of wrapped bubble gum, an envelope, a playing card, a toy car, connecting blocks (in different lengths), a small shoe, a paper clip, a CD case, a book, and a sponge. Place the objects in a brown bag. On index cards, write the length of each object (one per card). Place the objects, the

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Shoe Box Learning Centers: Time & Measurement Pamela Chanko, Scholastic Teaching Resources