Cognition is the process children use to acquire knowledge and then to apply that knowledge. It is not just a set of memorized, unrelated facts, but a process of discovery to learn what one needs to learn to solve problems. It is the result of active thought.

Consider the active learning that takes place when children are involved in Unifix Union.

Materials

1. One well-trained, patient and tolerant dog
2. One set of unifix cubes

Activity

Students connect the cubes and measure a body part (leg) and then count the number of cubes they have used. Next, they measure the corresponding body part of the dog (leg) and count those cubes. They can then make a comparison of which is "greater than" and which is "less than."

Benefits

• Counting practice
• Development of number sense
• Comparison
• Concept development of "greater than" and "less than"
• Problem solving using a measurement system