This issue of Smithsonian in Your Classroom includes two lessons from the Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center (SEEC). The first follows the SEEC model of introducing new concepts with familiar items. In early-algebra exercises, students organize a collection of random buttons, counting and multiplying them according to attributes. In the second lesson, the students work with a collection of seashells to see how sorting and classifying relates to the work of natural scientists.

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