Combine learning colors and learning basic addition in this activity. Give each student a bag of M&Ms with various colors. Each student could have the same number of each color or different numbers if time permits. Ask students to draw circles on a piece of paper and write a color in the middle of each circle. Have students sort their M&Ms by color, placing them in the appropriate circle. Then ask them to add two colors together, and have them write down the answer. Check their answers, and reward them with an M&M!
Introduce students to simple graphing. Give them a baggie with M&Ms in a variety of colors. Have them sort the M&Ms by color, and ask them to order the M&Ms in number from least to most. Show them how to make a simple bar graph, writing colors horizontally on one side, and write numbers (up to 5) vertically on the other side. Draw a bar on the graph above each color to the corresponding number of M&Ms. Color in the bar, and display the graphs in the room.
Give each student a bag of M&Ms (or one bag for each pair of students). Have the students pour the M&Ms into a clear plastic cup without counting. Ask them to guess the number of M&Ms of each color by just looking into the cup. Then ask them to empty the cup and count the actual number of each color. Compare the estimation to the actual number. Make a tally on the board to display the results. See if there are differences between the bags of M&Ms and discuss.
Teach students money basics in a fun and delicious way. You will need fake coins (pennies, dimes, nickels and quarters), icing, cookies and M&Ms. Sort the M&Ms by color into different containers. Give each color a different amount; for example, red M&Ms can be $0.25, green $0.10 and so on. Have students "purchase" M&Ms with their money and decorate their cookies with the icing and purchased M&Ms. Introduce money before attempting this activity, and adjust the level of difficulty to students' abilities. Use higher prices as they become more comfortable with counting and adding money.