Embedded Files
Overview
Overview
Conservation is the idea that the count for a set group of objects stays the same no matter whether the objects are spread out or are close together.
If a student counts a group of objects and then needs to recount the group of objects after the educator spreads them out or brings them closer together, they do not yet understand the principle of conservation.
This principle was shown in early work by Piaget. Blocks arranged on a table were moved farther away from one another, and the children were asked if the quantity was still the same or if it had changed. The children responded that there were now more blocks. They did not yet understand the conservation of number.
While students are learning the counting principles, these principles, such as conservation, are important foundational skills that must be consolidated into a strong understanding. You will find that many of the counting principles are interconnected. Once students have a solid understanding of the counting principles, many of them will become key ideas that support students as they develop addition/subtraction strategies for learning mathematics.
Supporting Students with Conservation
Supporting Students with Conservation
To support students with learning conservation, encourage students to show you a group of items that match a specific number. You can also support students by asking them to represent the same number using different objects in different ways (e.g., Can you use 5 blocks to build a tower? Can you put 5 animals in the box?).
Games to Promote Conservation
Games to Promote Conservation
Flip It! Make It! Build It!
Flip It! Make It! Build It!
This activity provides the opportunity for students to practice making different representation of various quantities to 10. Students will use concrete materials in a ten-frame and to build a tower of the number.
Flip It, Make It, Build It Activity instructions (English)
Flip It Make It Build It activity card (English)
Fill the Jar Task
Fill the Jar Task
This activity provides the opportunity for students to practice making different representation of various quantities to 10. Students will use concrete materials and various representations.
Fill the Jar Activity instructions (English)
Fill the Jar Task activity cards (BLM) (English)
Report abuse