Mouth- Watering M&M Math

Introduction:
Mouth-Watering M&M Math is an exciting way to engage students' mathematical abilities.  This compelling project is adapted from Mighty M&M Math.  Mouth-Watering M&M Math is intended for first graders, however you can make adjustments according to the appropriate grade level.  This project can be completed in about two weeks.  There are also many extentions teachers can do with their students.
 
 
 
 
 

Learning Objectives:

When this exciting project is completed, students will be able to:

 
Activities:

Activity #1

Put students into groups of 2 to 3 children.  Give each group a data sheet and 1 package of M&M's.  Data sheet should include the following--

Activity #2

Rediscuss information from activity #1.  Complete worksheet with addition and subtraction problems.  Use manipulatives for assistance.

Activity #3

Go back to data sheet in activity #1.  Write basic fractions for each color M&M.

Activity #4

Translate information from data sheet onto bar graph.

Activity #5

Students in first grade do not typically work on percentages.  Therefore, the teacher should figure out percentages and post results on Mighty M&M Math. After posting results, compare findings with other students throughout the country.  Discuss.
 

Have each student draw and color an M&M pattern.  Publish artwork on Kids Online Magazine.

NJ Core Curriculum Content Standards:
New Jersey Standards
 
 

Cross-Content Workplace Readiness

Standard 2--All students will use technology, information and other tools.

Standard 3--All students will use critical thinking, decision-making, and problem solving skills.

Visual and Perfroming Arts

1.2--All students will refine perceptual, intellectual, physical, and technical skills through creating dance, music, theater, and/or visual arts.

Math

4.1--All students will develop number sense and will perform standard numerical operations
and estimations on all types of numbers in a variety of ways.
 

4.3--All students will represent and analyze relationships among variable quantities and
solve problems involving patterns, functions, and algebraic concepts and processes.
 

4.4--All students will develop an understanding of the concepts and techniques of data
analysis, probability, and discrete mathematics, and will use them to model situations,
solve problems, and analyze and draw appropriate inferences from data.
 

4.5--All students will use mathematical processes of problem solving, communication,
connections, reasoning, representations, and technology to solve problems and
communicate mathematical ideas.

If you like this project, check these out!

1. Math Centers (Part 1)
2. The M&M Brand Chocolate Counting Book Curriculum Web
3. Marshmellow Math
4. Ring Toss Math
5. Skittles Math
6. Taste Zones
7. Teaching Fractions and Ratios with M&M's
8. Tootsie Pop Pull--Probability

Additional Reading Materials:
    1.  The M&M's Brand Counting Book by Barbara Barbieri McGrath
    2.  More M&M's Brand Chocolate Candies Math by Barbara Barbieri McGrath
    3.  The Hershey's Milk Chocolate Bar Fraction Book by Jerry Pallotta and Rob Bolster
    4.  Reese's Pieces Count by Fives by Jerry Pallotta
       5.   Chocolate Fever by Robert Kimmel Smith
 
 

Additional Sites for Teachers:
    1. The Math Forum for grades K-2 
     2. AAA Math for first grade
     3. Kathy Schrock's Guide for educators
     4. M&M's web site
 

Assessment:

Students data tables and graphs will be assessed by using teacher created rubrics on Kathy Schrock's web site.

Contact Information:
 

This page has been composed by Janice Skrivanic, first grade teacher at Wallace Elementary School in Hoboken, NJ.  If you have any comments, questions, suggestions or insights, please feel free to contact me at [email protected].