First grade students have discovered the Navajo are known as great silversmiths. As such, today, we set out to create our own “silver” Navajo-style necklaces, integrating math concepts along the way. Starting with a box of noodles, students were tasked with estimating the number of noodles in the box. Although we counted approximately 23 visible in the small window as our starting point, our estimates varied greatly.
After estimating, we grouped noodles into tens and ones, counted the total number for each group, and modeled the steps of multi-digit addition to add the groups. We found we had a grand total of 383 noodles, with 200 being our closest estimate. After counting the noodles, students worked in pairs mixing alcohol and food coloring to dye the noodles. Tracing Navajo like designs onto foil and stringing our dyed pasta, students we proud to create their own necklaces.
