Halloween Mix-Up

Objective: Students will estimate quantities using benchmark information and use logical reasoning to match the bags of candy to the correct Trick-or-Treater. Materials: 5 large plastic baggies (gallon size) 135 pieces of Halloween candy* (NOTE: You can use color tiles, pattern blocks, beads, or other manipulative instead of candy.) Clue card 6 Index cards *This number can be lower for younger students. Be sure to adjust the lesson accordingly. Preparations: !Fill up the plastic bags as follows: 1. 25 pieces 2. 50 pieces 3. 40 pieces 4. 5 pieces 5. 15 pieces !Fold the index cards in half to resemble a place card. Use a marker to write the following: Card 1- write the number 25 Card 2- write the name Ginny Card 3- write the name Max Card 4- write the name Freddy Card 5- write the name Lisa Card 6- write the name Pete

Procedure: 1. Display the bags in random order so all students can see their contents. Do not display the number card until later. 2. Explain to the class that the five children in the Addams Family went trick-ortreating on Halloween and collected different amounts of candy. However, upon returning home, the children discovered that their bags had been mixed up. The family has asked your class to help determine which bag of candy belongs to each child. 3. Have students brainstorm possible ways to solve this problem. Discuss each one and identify why it would and/or would not work. 4. Now explain that you have some new information that might help and share the clue card and the fact that one bag has 25 pieces. Place the number card in front of the correct bag to serve as a visual reminder. 5. Read the clues one at a time, allowing students to place the name cards in front of the bag of candy that corresponds to the given clue. Encourage students to explain their reasoning. 6. When all clues have been read and name cards placed in front of a bag, reveal the correct owner of each bag and discuss any incorrect answers.

CLues
Clue 1- Ginny had about 25 pieces of candy in her bag. Clue 2- Freddy had fewer pieces of candy in his bag than Ginny. Clue 3- Maxs bag was almost full, with about 50 pieces. Clue 4- Lisas bag had less candy than Maxs bag but more than Ginny. Clue 5- Petes bag had more candy than Freddys bag but less than Ginnys bag.
Answer: Freddy= 5 pieces, Pete= 15 pieces, Ginny= 25 pieces, Lisa= 40 pieces, Max= 50 pieces