Snack Share

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• Small collections of food items (e.g. crackers, raisins, grapes)
• Food items that can be easily cut into equal shares (e.g. a block of cheese, an apple, an orange)
• Paper plates or napkins
• Knife

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Preparation

1. Wipe down the tables that will be used for snack time. Wash and dry the foods as needed. Have children wash their hands.
2. Divide the children into small groups (or your usual snack time groups) at each table.
3. Create and place collections of food items (e.g., crackers) and one whole food item (e.g., a block of cheese) on separate plates for each table.

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1. Tell the children that they will share their snack foods equally so that everyone gets the same amount of food. Place a set of the snack foods on one table so all the children can see them.
2. Pick a food, such as crackers, and ask the children how they might share them equally. Take several suggestions and rephrase the ideas to emphasize math talk, So, each of you could take one piece until there are none left and then count how many pieces you have. Repeat for the cheese (or another whole food item). Again, rephrase the children’s ideas for equal sharing, We can divide it into slices that are the same size and each take one.
3. Place the snack items at the center of each table and give each child a paper plate or napkin.
4. Have the children at each table try to share the snack foods equally. (Note: You should cut the whole food items according to the children’s plan for sharing it equally.)
5. Assist groups as needed and promote math talk. Ask, How did you know how many you should have? Does anyone have too many or too few? What can we do to make the shares equal? What if there were (use a different number); then what would you do to make sure everyone gets an equal share?