Problems

How Many Puppies?

Materials:

Paper to write on, pencil or something to write with

Share the Problem:

Julia’s dog had 10 puppies. Julia bought 2 beds for the puppies to share.
At night, Julia checked on the puppies while they were sleeping.

How many puppies could Julia have seen in each bed?
Show all the ways the 10 puppies could share 2 beds.

Possible Questions and Prompts

How will you keep track of all the ways you have found?
How will you make sure you have found all the ways the puppies could share the beds?
Could there be 10 puppies in one bed?

What Will I See?

Some students may draw out the different situations. Others may use numbers to show the different possibilities.

Modification

Some students might find it difficult to organize materials to help them solve the problem. Provide these students with 10 objects (e.g., coins, beads, lego pieces etc.) and a sketch of 2 beds. Help them to find one combination and record it. Ask them to try to find other combinations.
You could also change the problem to have 5 puppies and 2 beds.

Additional Challenge

For students who need an additional challenge, ask them to investigate what would happen if there were 15 puppies? 20 puppies?

How Many Am I Hiding?

Materials:

10 – 20 small objects (beads, popcorn kernels, lego pieces etc.)

Instructions:

Put 10 small objects in front of you and ask your child how many there are?
Quickly pick up some of the objects with one hand and hide that hand
behind your back leaving the remaining objects in front of you.
(e.g., I pick up 6 in one hand and put my hand behind my back leaving 4 in front of me).

Ask “How many am I hiding?”
Repeat picking up a different amount each time.

Modification

If students are finding it too difficult, try starting with 5 objects instead and
work your way up to 10.

Additional Challenge

For students who need an additional challenge try amounts between 10 and
20.