Back in October, I wrote about my Marker Estimation Jars. There are lots of things that can be put in an estimation jar, but what about volume estimation jars?
For estimating volume, I used sand in the jars and water. Like I did with the marker jars, I used 4 jars to show children different amounts. Three of the jars are used to gain knowledge about what’s inside and how much space it takes up, and the last jar is for guessing. {By the way, these are clear plastic jars from Walmart’s kitchen gadget department.}
For these sand jars, I put 1 measuring cup of sand in the first jar, 2 cups in the second jar, 3 cups in the third jar, and 4 cups in the fourth jar. Since that is a little too obvious for guessing, I taped the numerals to the 1st, 2nd, and 4th jars, and put a question mark on the 3rd jar. That way, they weren’t just counting “1, 2, 3, … 4”. I used a 1 cup measurer, but you could also use a half measuring cup, 1/3 measuring cup, or 1/4 cup. I used Jurassic Sand that we use in our sensory table since we have it in large quantities (not an ad, just a recommendation). Colored art sand would be pretty, too.
For these water jars, I put one half cup of water in the first jar, 3 half cups in the second jar, 6 half cups in the third jar, and 9 half cups in the fourth jar. The children will look at the numbers on the lids of each, and make a guess at how much water they think is in the fourth jar. This activity can be repeated by using different amounts of water.
What are some other things you could use for estimating volume? Share your ideas in the comments below!
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Fun idea! I’m so curious to know how my almost 5 year old would answer these questions. Thanks for the post!
Thanks for visiting, Rebecca! Hope you have fun with it!
love it! i estimate with solid objects but using water seems like fun and interesting..will try!!!
Thanks for this great idea- It will have to wait till next year tho 🙂
Gracias por tu ideas, me van a servir mucho para enseñar a las profesoras como trabajar la Estimacion
Thank you Karen. I love the idea and I will do it next year..
Thanks, Naima!
May 15, 2013 at 8:47 p.m.
This is a great idea. I will use this next year. This year has been my first year teaching prekinder. Thank you Karen.
Thanks Bonnie! Hope you have had a great 1st year!
I think I want to check out the Walmart kitchen department!
Thanks for commenting, Anne!
wonderful,my kids will really like this activity.Thank you very much
Thanks!
Thank yo so much for the great ideas. I always come here first when looking for anything.
Thanks, Connie! I’m glad the site is helpful!
That’s is such a great activity to reinforce the estimation concept. I have also done a similar activity but with solids. I have used the kids juice jars that are transparent and filled them with lima beans, chain links and foam 3D shapes and I gave the students a self-made recording sheet.It is so much fun! Thanks for sharing your ideas.
Thanks! Yes, I’ve used these jars for both dry items and liquid for estimating. We did markers in another post.
Thank you, Karen, for sharing this idea – as well as SO many other ideas! This past January I started teaching “First-Things-First” preschool class of ages 3’s through Pre-K (after teaching 3rd-6th grades for 11 years). FTF is based on child-directed learning through discovery. So many of your ideas work with this learning/teaching concept. One more week of school, then this summer I plan on thoroughly perusing your site more; I have already purchased several of your items on TPT too! Thank you so much!
Thanks Sandy! Glad the site has been helpful to you with your 3’s.
Thanks Dear, i hope to explore this idea next year.
Great idea. After estimating, I would add an empty jar so that the children can ” check” their answer by using the scoop to fill it up to match the jar with the ?. I love this site. I have been teaching early childhood for 31 years and I always get fresh, new ideas from your site. I have shared this site with many of my colleagues. Thank you!
Thanks, Pat! Great idea to add an empty jar. Thanks for sharing.
Pat i love this idea… more to do!
I am nuts about the Gingerbread Man (& Girl, Cowboy, Baby, Bear, Pirates….etc.) I have little gingerbread counters from oriental trading—we do so many things with them! Thanks to this idea—I found some cute, inexpensive jars at target and will set up some gingerbread man estimation jars tomorrow!!