Each student grabs a handful of pattern blocks and puts them together with those of their partner. They guess the number of pattern blocks and then count the blocks. Students record their guess and the actual number of pattern blocks on their recording sheets.

Variation:

Students can count their own group of blocks first and record an expression to represent the total number of pattern blocks.

Each group of 2 students needs around 20 pattern blocks.

Each student grabs a handful of ones cubes and puts them together with those of their partner. They estimate the number of cubes and then count the cubes. Students record their estimate and the actual number of cubes on their recording sheets.

Variation:

Students can count their own group of cubes first and record an equation to represent the total number of cubes.

Each group of 2 needs around 80 centimeter cubes.