Halloween: Treat Math

Grandpa gave us some early Halloween candy and our daughter wanted to do some sorting with it.  We extended her idea into a few other math explorations with treats.  You could certainly use healthy options for this activity as well!

Materials

• Candy (we suggest something like Skittles, Smarties or M & Ms for these activities)
• Sorting Mat colour_sorting_mat

• Least/ Greatest Mat least_greatest

• Counting in a Ten Frame Mat  ten_frame   ten_frames

• Patterning Mat patterning_template_1 patterning_template_2  patterning_template_3

• Subtracting Mat subtraction_mat

• Addition Mat adding_mat_template

• Page protectors or laminating supplies (Optional)
• Cardstock
• Pencil/ eraser OR overhead pen
• Damp & dry cloth

Directions

• Print the provided templates onto cardstock.  Slip them into page protectors for longevity or laminate them if they are for classroom use.  Children can re-use the templates that you write on by using an overhead pen which wipes off with a damp cloth.  (Be sure to dry it before the next person’s turn!)

Sorting

• Sort your candy into colours.  We provided a template with some spots for customization depending on the candy type you use.

Counting in a Ten Frame

• After you have sorted by colour (or another attribute of your choice), count how many of each colour you have, using the ten frame.  This is particularly helpful for younger children to stay organized and as the metric system is based on tens, it gets them into thinking of these groupings.  We provided a template with 1 ten frame and another with a few.

Least/ Greatest

• After you have sorted and counted your candies, decide which colour has the most and which has the least in the group, using the mat.

Addition

• Put two different colours of candies on the first two boxes of the mat. Record how many you have.  Add them together and move them to the last box, writing the numeral in the small box below. Repeat.

Subtraction

• Now for the tasty part! Put your candies on the mat in the first box. Record how many you have.  Decide on how many you would like to eat.  Record this number on the second box, moving that number over.  Move the remaining candies from the first box to the last box (following the arrow) and record how many you have left!  Repeat.

• If you child or students are ready for it, this would be a great time to discuss and explore the relationship between addition and subtraction.

Patterning

• Create different patters  in the boxes on the patterning template.  If you child is a bit older, try to get them to assign letters to the pattern above the colour or to identify the core of the pattern.

Make Your Own & Storage

• Now that you have tried out these mathematical concepts create templates of your own together.
• Pop your templates into a binder or folder and tuck them away for next year.

Purpose

• Using a variety of objects to explore mathematical concepts (sorting, counting with a ten frame, identifying least and greatest, subtraction, patterning etc.)

Safety Notes

• Small candies can be a choking hazard so this activity is not recommended for children 0-3 or those that tend to put things in their mouths.
• Laminators should be used by an adults.