T4T The Chicken Coop

Created Jan. 24, 2024 by DAWNE COKER

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Lesson Excerpt: 

Launch:

  1. Ask:  Has anyone ever had a pet chicken? Could you tell us about them?  Allow a few students to share.  Possible prompts: 

  • Where do pet chickens live?  (in a coop)

  • Why do chickens live in a coop? (to stay safe and to keep from getting away)

  • Do chickens usually live alone or with friends?  (in groups)

  • Show students the picture of the chicken coop.  

  • Ask:  What do you notice about this picture of the chicken coop?  As students share their thinking, record what they notice about the picture.  Be sure students mention:

    • I notice chickens can be in ‘run’ (grassy area where chickens can eat bugs and seeds)

    • I notice chickens can be in the house (where they sleep and lay eggs)

  • Ask:  What do you wonder about this picture? As students share their thinking, record what they wonder about the picture.   Be sure students mention:

    • I wonder where the chickens are.

    • I wonder how many chickens live in the coop.

  • Focus student’s thinking on the question: If 8 chickens live in the coop, how many chickens could be in in run (grass) and how many chickens could be in the chicken house? 

  • Say: Discuss the important details of this problem with your shoulder buddy.

    • 8 chickens

    • Some are in the coop and some are in the run (grass)

  • Call on a few students to share details with the whole group.  Make certain all students have made sense of the problem.

  • Say: Today you’re going to be working with a partner (or alone) to solve this problem.  You may use manipulatives to help solve the problem if you need it.  You should record your thinking in your math journal.

  • Provide each student with the 8 manipulatives of the same color and size.  (If students will be working in pairs, place them with their partners at this time.) 

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