How to use this sheet

  • Cover the counting part of the sheet and ask for the estimate first. An estimate made after counting is not an estimate.
  • Before estimating, have the child find a group of about ten on the page and use it to judge the rest.
  • After counting, talk about how close the estimate was. Close is the goal, not exact.

Common mistakes

  • Counting one by one and calling the answer an estimate. Give only a few seconds to look before writing a guess.
  • Rubbing out an estimate after counting so it matches. Explain that a guess that was a bit off is still a good estimate.
  • Guessing numbers that are far too big or too small, such as 1,000 for a jar of 40. Compare with a group of 10 first.

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