what’s
important to count and keep track of and why
what we
can learn about groups by collecting information
What you'll
need
cameras
markers and
paper for charts and graphs
notebooks for
journals
pens, pencils
Getting
started
Think of some
kinds of things that people keep track of. How
do you find out what types of things people like? Someone collects information!
You can, too: count objects in and around your Clubhouse and make a tally
in your notebook.
Count some events,
too: how many times someone sneezes, how many times the phone rings, how many
people walk by a window, etc.
Ask people about
their favorite things: colors, fruits, seasons, anything, and keep a tally
of your survey results.
Group or sort
objects and responses you count in different ways: if you count shirts worn
in the clubhouse, count how many are red, how many yellow, etc., but also
count how many are short- or long-sleeved, button-down or pullover.
Find out how
many girls say their favorite color is blue, and how many boys do. Group rocks
by size and by shape. Record the numbers of all of these different groups.
Group people that walk by as tall or short, young or old, male or female.
Make charts
and graphs to tell other people about what you've found.
What next
Creation
and invention:
Make a website
telling others about the numbers of things you found in your clubhouse.
Create a game
where counting and sorting things is important.
Discussion:
What can you
do with the counts of things you recorded?
What else do
we count in our daily lives?
What sorts of
people count as part of their jobs?
Why is your
count sometimes different than your friend’s count of the same things?
Sorting into
groups based on traits is called classifying; what types of things do we classify?
Field
trip possibilities:
anywhere
there are interesting things to count: the beach, the airport, the mall,
the park. Count some of the same things as in your clubhouse and see
how the numbers compare.
