Introduction

These activities are opportunities for our children to practice grayscale thinking — to see the world as having some middle ground versus being a world of black and white.  When using  “Same but Different” our children are encouraged to look at the characteristics of what they are comparing. “Same but Different” activities help them strengthen an approach for learning and thinking about mathematics.

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Same & Different: Rows & Shapes

Look at the two pictures. What do you notice?

K-1

A. shows 5 red triangles in the top row. 5 blue rectangles in the bottom row. B. shows 5 yellow triangles in the top row. 2 yellow triangles and 3 red circles in the bottom row.

1. How are pictures A and B mathematically the same, and how are they different?

 >  Talk about how A and B are the same.

>  Now, talk about how A and B are different.

2.  Make a picture that uses 10 shapes. Explain how your picture is the same as pictures A and B, and how it is different. You can use some of the shapes below or choose your own.

A mix of 20 shapes. 5 red triangles. 7 yellow triangles. 3 red circles. 5 blue rectangles.

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COLORFUL CRITTERS

Same & Different

K-1

Look at the two pictures. What do you notice?

1.  How are pictures A and B mathematically the same, and how are they different?

>A and B are the same because …

>A and B are different because …

2.  Make a third picture that shows 10 and 5 more.

>How your picture is the same as pictures A and B?

>How it is different?