Ms. Mosley teaches a kindergarten class in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. During a unit on plants and seeds, she and her students focus on estimation as a way of developing number sense. In this video segment, the students are shown three transparent bags filled with beans -- each labeled with the amount of beans inside. After discussing the samples, each group of students is given a bag and assigned the task of estimating the number of beans inside. After deciding on an estimate, students count their beans and represent their ideas in various ways.

As you view this video segment, focus on the ways in which students use representations to help solidify their understanding and to show their thinking.

Now watch an extended video segment at left (duration 5:47) of Ms. Mosley's classroom as they work on the "Beans, Beans, Beans" activity.

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