These resources have been developed for STEMConnect2020@AAC Virtual World which is an initiative coordinated by the Australian Agriculture Centre.
The antics of chickens aren’t just entertaining to watch, they can be used in some simple, engaging activities that explore mathematics.
Each of the short videos in the collection below can be used by school educators to run a variety of activities. Suggestions are provided for each video, however they are not limited – get creative and have some fun with Chicken Maths!
COUNTING
Counting Eggs 1 – 10
In this video, eggs are displayed in a basket.
In the first series, the number of eggs increases, in order, by 1.
In the second series, the number of eggs is out of order.
Activities:
- Count along out loud together
- Students write down the numbers
Counting Eggs 1 – 12
In this video, eggs are displayed in a carton.
In the first series, the number of eggs increases, in order, by 1.
In the second series, the number of eggs is out of order.
In the third series, the number of eggs is mixed up again and the pictures change more quickly.
Activities:
- Count along out loud together
- Students write down the numbers
Counting Eggs by 2, 3 and 4
In this video, eggs are displayed in a carton in multiples of 2, 3 then 4.
Activities:
- Count along out loud together
- Students write down the numbers
Friends of 10
This video shows a carton that holds ten eggs with different combinations of white and brown eggs.
Activities:
- Say or write the number combinations that add to ten
Counting Pecks
In this video there are two clips of a chicken pecking grain from a white container.
Activities:
- Count along out loud together
- Students write down the total numbers
- Students use a tally to count the number of pecks
Which Chicken Ate the Most?
In this video, a number of chickens are shown eating from a single container.
Activities:
- Tally the number of pecks from each chicken
- Display the results in a table
- Display the results in various types of graphs
- Calculate the Mean, Median, Mode, Range
Which Grain is Most Popular?
In this video, a number of chickens are shown eating from three containers, each with a different grain (corn, sunflower, sorghum).
Activities:
- Tally the number of pecks of each grain
- Display the results in a table
- Display the results in various types of graphs
Other Ideas
Time
If a chicken lays one egg per day, how many will it lay in:
- a week?
- a fortnight?
- a leap year?
- August? October? April?
- Summer?
If a chicken lays an egg every 23 hours and she lays an egg at 4.25pm on Monday, what time will she lay an egg on the following Friday?
If a chicken lays an egg every 24.5 hours and she lays an egg at 10.35am on Wednesday, what time will she lay an egg on the following Sunday?
Multiples of 12
1 Dozen = 12 eggs
2 Dozen = ?
7 Dozen = ? etc.
