Double Up
You'll get a watery grasp on fractions when you learn to "double up." This activity for kids teaches a basic principle of math in a fun and hands-on way.
You start with a bucket of water and a measuring cup; then fill 'er up ... and then fill 'er up again! And again. And again. Here's how it works:
 ©2007 Publications International, Ltd. Fractions are easy to understand when you play this water measuring game. |
What You'll Need
Measuring cups
Bucket
Water
Paper
Pen or pencil
How to Play "Double Up"
Step 1: Use a measuring cup to fill a bucket with water. Start with 1/4 cup.
Step 2: Keep track of how many 1/4 cups it takes to fill your bucket to the brim.
Step 3: Write the number on your paper.
Step 4: Now dump your bucket (in a plugged sink to recycle the water), and fill it up again, this time using a 1/2-cup measure.
How many dips of the 1/2 cup did it take to fill the bucket this time? Exactly half as many? If not, you spilled.
Step 5: Try it again with a 1-cup measure.
Ever toss a coin and wonder whether it would come up heads or tails? Keep reading to learn about probability.
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