Teachers can make math class more exciting by planning lessons that feature candy corn. Candy corn is highly motivating and the perfect Halloween themed math manipulative. Teachers can buy large bags of candy corn in September when it starts appearing in stores and use it the entire month of October. The candy corn can be stored in re-sealable bags based and pulled out for the students to use during math class, as long as the candy stays dry it will be good to use all month.
Candy Corn Math Patterns
Teachers can use a candy corn mix, containing pumpkins, regular and chocolate candy corn, to teach students math patterns. The teacher passes out a small bag of candy corn mix and has the students sort the candy into three piles. The teacher then places the candy corn on an overhead projector in an ABAB pattern and asks the students to identify and continue the pattern at their desks. This activity is repeated with AAB, ABB, and ABC math patterns.
Candy Corn Measurement
Using non-standard measurement helps students internalize the concepts of length and estimation. Measuring objects with candy corn is not only educational, but lots of fun. To begin the lesson the teacher asks the students if anyone has used candy corn to measure things before and tells them that is that is what they will be doing today. She tapes an object to the front board and asks students to guess how many candy corn tall it is. The teacher explains that they just estimated how tall it was and demonstrates how to use the candy corn to measure the object. The students use candy corn to measure and label the height of items in their classroom.
Candy Corn Addition and Subtraction
Kindergarten and first grade students use manipulatives, or learning objects, to understand math concepts. In the weeks leading up to Halloween teachers can use candy corns to teach addition and subtraction. Teachers can use candy corns instead of cubes to help students visualize math sentences. The addition and subtraction sentences and candy corn manipulatives can be placed in a learning center in the classroom for independent practice.
Candy Corn Multiples
Candy corn is a delicious, tricolored treat that can also be used to teach students to count by threes. Teachers can demonstrate to students that each candy corn has three stripes and three colors. The teacher has the students recall how to count by tens and fives. She asks the students to make observations about the candy corn, their colors, and their stripes.
They talk about the three colored stripes and the teacher shows the kids how to use the candy corn to count by threes. The students can use a pile of candy corn to illustrate math multiples. Students can label paper candy corn with all of the multiples of three and then string them together to form a candy corn counting chain for more practice.
Almost any primary math concept can be taught using candy corn and capitalizing on the Halloween excitement will gain students’ attention and promote understanding. Try it this year for some candy math fun!
Megan Sheakoski - Megan Sheakoski is a teacher, mom and writer whose ideas have been featured in college text books, graduate courses, on websites and on ...
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