Math Egg Hunt
By Caroline Wyman
Objective: The students will be able to hunt for hidden eggs and solve the math problems in them as a group. Grades 2-4
Initiation: Talk about the Easter Bunny, read an Easter story that is very generalized and talk about different Easter traditions including egg hunts.
Development: While the class is in lunch or at a special, hide the plastic eggs either in your classroom or for more room, hide them outside in a designated area. Prepare the eggs by grouping the class into groups of 4 or 5, depending on your class size. Number the groups and put different math problems in each group egg. For example: plastic egg 1 will have 2 math problems in it on a piece of paper, plastic egg 2 will have 4 math problems in it, plastic egg 3 will have 6 math problems in it, plastic egg 4 will have 8 math problems in it...and plastic egg 5 will have 10 problems in it. Each group will search for 1- 5 eggs with all of the math problems in them. The groups will compete to complete all of the problems correctly first. Each group will have to continue to complete the problems until they are finished. Make sure you have enough eggs with math problems so that each group can find all 5 eggs. You decide how much time you have by hiding them in easy spots or more difficult spots. Write down where you hide the eggs so that you don't forget! You can also vary the skill level of problems. Egg 1 may be the easy problems while Eggs 2-5 can progressively get more difficult. Have a treat for the groups once they complete all of the problems.
Closure: Pass out a couple of empty plastic eggs to each student and have them make up a few math problems to hide at home and have their family complete the problems.
Materials: Plastic eggs, math problems, treats
Time: 45min.-1hour
Caroline Wyman has a degree in Sociology and a Masters in Elementary Education and is the administrator for TeacherNet.com.