- Definition
To estimate means to make a careful guess about an amount or quantity, rather than finding the exact answer.
Looking at a small pile of crayons and guessing there are about 10 is an estimate.
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: Estimating is like guessing how many crackers are in your hand before you count them.
Ask your child: How many blocks do you think are in this pile?
Common mix-up: Kids may think an estimate has to be the exact answer. The goal is to make a smart guess that's close, not perfect.
Examples
- Guessing if you have enough cookies for everyone at the table.
- Looking at two jars of beads and guessing which one has more.
- Guessing how many steps it will take to walk across the room.
estimate is a term used in Ontario’s Kindergarten to Grade 8 curriculum.
Where this shows up
+9 more mentions across the curriculum
The descriptions on this page are SmartStudy’s own original, plain-language writing — not the Ministry’s wording. They are aligned to the Ontario Curriculum, © King’s Printer for Ontario. For the Ministry’s official wording, see the source link below. SmartStudy is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Government of Ontario or the Ministry of Education. Ontario Curriculum and Resources ↗
