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Self-guiding in the Galleries
Pre & Post Visit Resources
Math in Motion

Click here for printable version of all resources

PreK – K


Program Outline

Grades PreK – K (45 min)
Grades 1 – 2 (1 hour)
Program Location:  Alexander Calder Toy Gallery

THEME:  Toys make math and science fun.

GOAL:  Students are introduced to the toys in the Kid Stuff exhibition while
practicing PreK - grade 2 math skills and observing basic science   phenomena.

Frameworks:
MA Frameworks

Science, Technology & Engineering
PreK - 2
3.1  Sort objects by observable properties such as size, shape, color, weight, and texture.

3.3  Describe the various ways that objects can move, such as in a straight line, zigzag, back-and-forth, round-and-round, fast, and slow.

3.4  Demonstrate that the way to change the motion of an object is to apply a force (give it a push or a pull). The greater the force, the greater the change in the motion of the object.

3.5  Recognize that under some conditions, objects can be balanced.

Math
Number Sense
K.N.1   Count by ones to at least 20.

K.N.3  Identify positions of objects in sequences (e.g., first, second) up to fifth.

K.N.4  Compare sets of up to at least 10 concrete objects using appropriate language (e.g., none, more than, fewer than, same number of, one more than) and order numbers. Estimate the number of objects in a group and verify results.

K.N.8  Estimate the number of objects in a group and verify results.

2.N.1  Name and write (in numerals) whole numbers to 1000, iden-tify the place values of the digits, and order the numbers.

2.N.4  Compare whole numbers using terms and symbols, e.g., less than, equal to, greater than (<, =, >).

2.N.7  Demonstrate an understanding of various meanings of addition and subtraction, e.g., addition as combination (plus, combined with, more); subtraction as comparison (how much less, how much more), equalizing (how many more are needed to make these equal), and separation (how much remaining).

Patterns

1. Identify the attributes of objects as a foundation for sorting and

classifying, e.g., a red truck, a red block, and a red ball share the attribute of being red; a square block, a square cracker, and a square book share the attribute of being square shaped.

K.P.2  Sort and classify objects by color, shape, size, number, and other properties.

K.P.3  Identify, reproduce, describe, extend, and create color, rhythmic, shape, number, and letter repeating patterns with simple attributes, e.g., ABABAB….

2.P.1  Identify, reproduce, describe, extend, and create simple rhythmic, shape, size, number, color, and letter repeating patterns.

Geometry

1. Name, describe, sort, and draw simple two-dimensional shapes.

K.G.2  Describe attributes of two-dimensional shapes, e.g., number of sides, number of corners.

K.G.3  Name and compare three-dimensional shapes.

K.G.4  Identify positions of objects in space, and use appropriate language (e.g., beside, inside, next to, close to, above, below, apart) to describe and compare their relative positions.

2.G.1  Describe attributes and parts of two- and three-dimensional shapes, e.g., length of sides, and number of corners, edges, faces, and sides.

Measurement
K.M.1  Recognize and compare the attributes of length, volume/capacity, weight, area, and time using appropriate language, e.g., longer, taller, shorter, same length; heavier, lighter, same weight; holds more, holds less, holds the same amount.

K.M.2  Make and use estimates of measurements from everyday experiences.

K.M.3  Use nonstandard units to measure length, area, weight, and capacity.

2.M.1  Compare the length, weight, area, and volume of two or more objects by using direct comparison.

2.M.2  Measure and compare common objects using metric and English units of length measurement, e.g., centimeter, inch.

2.M.3  Select and correctly use the appropriate measurement tools, e.g., ruler, balance scale, thermometer.

2.M.4  Make and use estimates of measurement, including time, volume, weight, and area.

Data
K.D.1  Collect, sort, organize, and draw conclusions about data using concrete objects, pictures, numbers, and graphs.

2.D.2  Organize, classify, represent, and interpret data using tallies, charts, tables, bar graphs, pictographs, and Venn diagrams; interpret the representations.

2.D. 3  Formulate inferences (draw conclusions) and make educated guesses (conjectures) about a situation based on information gained from data.

New York
[NY MST Standard 1.1; Standard 3 Math PK-K: PS.4, PS.6 - 8, RP.3, CN.1 - 3, R.3, N.1, N.4, A.1, G.1, M.1, S.1 - 2;  Math Grade 1 - 2: PS.4, PS.6 - 8, RP.4, CN.7, CN.9, R.1, N.1 [G3only], N.2-3, A.1, G.2, G.3[G3only], G.4[G4only], 3, M.1, S.1 - 2, S.4, S.6 [G3only]]; Standard 4 Physical Setting 5].

What’s In the Exhibition?
Visit the KID STUFF exhibition before or after your program!

“Kid Stuff is one of the most popular exhibitions in Berkshire Museum history, and we are delighted to bring it back home for the summer,” said Stuart A. Chase, executive director of the Berkshire Museum. “We realized that there are many families in our region who weren’t around eight years ago to experience this fun exhibition of great toys, so why not give them a chance? And of course adults of all ages will remember these toys and enjoy the nostalgia.”

Click here for a scavenger hunt of the exhibition!

Featured Toys:

Ten retro themed areas of the exhibition explore the vintage toys. Each section provides historical information about the toys’ origins, includes period advertisements, and features hands-on activities for all ages.

In “Go To Your Room,” visitors will encounter the Magic 8 Ball, Whee-Lo, Labyrinth, Slinky, Silly Putty, Magic Slate, Wooly Willy, and Raggedy Ann & Andy.

“Can I Try?” highlights creative and hands-on toys, including Nerf Ball, View-Master, Etch-A-Sketch, Duncan Yo-Yo, Spirograph, Mr. Potato Head, and Colorforms.

Practical jokes are the focus of “That's Not Funny,” which includes joy buzzer, spilled ink, whoopee cushion, snake-in-the can, and similar Adams gags.

“I'll Never Ask For Anything Else” features the ever-popular Lionel Trains. The train layout includes both vintage Lionel trains and a modern train set that visitors can operate by pushing a button.

“Don't Make A Mess” includes Magic Rocks, Crayola Crayons, Play Doh, Easy-Bake Oven, and Ant Farm

Outdoor fun is the theme of “Go Outside and Play,” in which visitors will learn about Flexible Flyer, Balsa Planes, Frisbee, Radio Flyer Wagon, Wiffle Ball, Tonka Trucks, and Hot Wheels.

Classic board games including Twister, The Game of Life, Monopoly, Candyland, Cootie, Go to the Head of the Class, Yahtzee, and Chutes and Ladders are explored in “It's My Turn.”

“I'll Trade Ya” showcases the popular collectibles Pez and Matchbox cars.

“Wanna Play Dolls?” features vintage Barbie and G.I. Joe. Visitors will have the chance to pose for photos with life size versions of these childhood favorites in front of realistic backdrops.

Finally, “Look What I Made” showcases building toys such as Lincoln Logs, Lego, Erector Sets, Legos, and Tinker Toys. Visitors may operate an Erector Set ferris wheel with the push of a button.

What is there to DO in KID STUFF?

Visitors to Kid Stuff will not only see vintage toys, but have the chance to play. Visitors can throw Nerf Balls at objects or create different Mr. Potato Heads with magnetic parts. Wooly Willys, YoYos, Wheelos, Etch-a-Sketches, Magic 8 Balls, View-Masters, and Slinkys are all available for hands-on play. A six-foot long board provides for an ever-changing Colorforms “mural” created by visitors. A small staircase serves as a place for Slinkys to walk, and visitors may race Hot Wheels side-by-side on a track. The exhibition also features a Lego construction area and a Raggedy Ann and Andy reading area.

Many visitors will be transported back to childhood memories at the sniff jar station, where they can experience the distinctive smells of Crayola Crayons and Play-doh.

Kid Stuff is based on the 1996 book Kid Stuff: Great Toys of Our Childhood, by David Hoffman, with photographs by Victor Budnik.

Accompanying the exhibition will be two works by contemporary artist Wendy Walgate. Walgate is a ceramic artist based in Toronto. She casts groupings of brightly colored, toy-like animals to create whimsical ceramic sculptures that are commentaries on collecting and accumulation.

The Berkshire Museum aquarium will add Sea Monkeys. Sea Monkeys is a registered trademark of Transcience Corp., which began selling this unique species of brine shrimp as pets in the 1960s.

Kid Stuff: Great Toys from our Childhood is sponsored by Greylock Federal Credit Union, Hasbro, and Mattel.

National Tour

Since originating at the Berkshire Museum in 1999 Kid Stuff has been seen at: the Shelburne Museum, Shelburne, Vt.; the Museum of Science & Industry, Chicago; the Duluth Children’s Museum, Duluth, Minn.; the Capitol Children’s Museum, Washington, D.C.; the Henry Ford Museum, Dearborn, Mich.; the Memphis Museum System, Memphis, Tenn.; the Strong Museum, Rochester, N.Y.; the Liberty Science Center, Jersey City, N.J.; the Albuquerque Museum, Albuquerque, N.M.; Western Reserve Historical Society, Cleveland; Neville Public Museum, Green Bay, Wis.; the Science Museum of Virginia, Richmond; Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, Fort Worth, Tex.; the Ohio Historical Society, Columbus, Oh.; the Iowa State Historical Museum, Des Moines; Calgary Science Center, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Following its 2007 run at the Berkshire Museum, Kid Stuff will be next seen at the Orange County Regional History Center in Orlando, Florida.

Don’t miss KID STUFF’s return home to Pittsfield!

The Institute of Museum and Library Services, an independent Federal grant- making agency dedicated to creating and sustaining a nation of learners by helping libraries and museums serve their communities supports the Berkshire Museum.

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