Week of Inspirational Math

Group Work Pro & Cons (Day 1)

This week, we participated in Jo Boaler's Week of Inspirational Math.  This may have been the Single. Best. Adventure. in Math learning.  EVER!  And we get to try the second version later this year!

Jo Boaler is Professor of Mathematics Education at the Stanford Graduate School of Education.  YouCubed, the site where I found Week of Inspirational Math, declares,  "Teachers will be able to enjoy energetic, joyful classrooms, and opportunities to appreciate the thinking of and to learn from every student in the class." The lessons did not disappoint this grade 6 teacher or her students.

Dot card and how different students grouped the dots to determine the number (Day 3)

The first day allowed the kids to play around with operations in the Four 4s challenge.  Using addition, subtraction, division and multiplication, brackets and fractions and four 4s, students were asked to arrive at sums from 1 to 20.  One example for 16 was 4+4+4+4 while 4/4 +4+4 results in 9.  The site boasted that, in their tests, students were excited enough to bring this task home to finish or challenge family.  Not sure if anyone in my own class tried that but some students continued during the lunch hour!  

Day 2 was visualizing using dots.  Each child was given a handout with numbers represented as dots grouped in particular ways.  Students enjoyed looking for the pictures that the numbers created and their relationship with other numbers.  A painless introduction to prime numbers, factors and multiples. 

Day 3 gave students the chance to try their hand at paper folding.  Origami meets Math!  A big lesson was to persevere even when a problem is challenging.  The kids practiced area, fractions, triangles and squares. Add a hint of drama when one partner is asked to convince the other (who plays the role of the skeptic) of their creation's accuracy.  Fun stuff!

Create a square that is half the area of the original square.

Day 4 was a study in patterns in Pascal's Triangle.  Students may have doubted the entertainment that this famous triangle could provide in the 21st century when Pascal played with it in the 1600s.  They're chucking their technology for the latest advancement seconds after its debut.  They were so delighted by their findings that we have to extend our math play with Pascal to Day 5.  Guess we can call this Day 4.5?

Day 4 sees the acceptance of a calculator as a tool rather than cheating

Perhaps the most impressive aspect of participation in Week of Inspirational Math was that every child found an entry point into each activity (low floor, high ceiling) and they were engaged and ENJOYING math.  Isn't that every teacher's wish?

~MissBrooks

ROCKin' a New Year

Temperatures reaching 104 F (with humidex) can only mean that school's out for summer! we're back to school.  Thank goodness (and by that, I mean past PAC groups) for A/C this week!

BUY THIS BOOK!
Seriously...you and your classes will treasure the message and artistry.

Isn't this cover a beauty?  Fish swim in a SCHOOL.  Kids go to SCHOOL.  September is back to SCHOOL.  PUHLEEZE!  Choosing Linda Kranz's "Only One You" is a no brainer, people!

This is a story that celebrates the uniqueness of everyone and encourages the reader to take time for ourselves, our families and others, to make a difference, and to embrace your YOU-niqueness.  Such an inspirational message.  

You can visit Linda Kranz's website for more information and
ideas on how schools have embraced this book.

I read the book aloud on Tuesday (the first day of school).  My kiddies are sixth graders but I asked them to come to the carpet to better hear and view the story.  I read.  We talked about some of the messages.  And that was that.  Or so they thought!

On Friday, I explained that we would make time for visual arts and that on this day, we would be painting rocks in the style of Linda Kranz's fish from "Only One You".   Material Managers from each table retrieved a paper towel, mini paint brush and side of white acrylic paint for their tablemates.  Each child then chose a rock* they wished to paint.  

*These are beach stones that are part of my backyard landscaping.  Think it will be noticeable if 30+ are missing?

WARNING:  It looks like ranch dressing....it is NOT!

Now, we SHOULD have washed them first, which means we didn't!  Did I mention that we have had more rain in the last 20 days than all summer?  I declared they would be clean (in my own mind). 

Anyway, on to applying a white base.  We did this before lunch so that, despite the humidity, we hoped they would dry.

We tossed the paint cups and brushes into the trash.  I realize this is NOT eco-friendly, nor is it pocketbook friendly but sometimes, for the sake of my sanity and because of the dollar store, I do what I have to do.

After lunch, we studied the cover of the book and the kiddies noted:

1. All fish were different (brilliant!)
2. Almost all had a heart-shaped mouth (except one was smiling)
3. Not all had a fin
4. The fish's face was approximately 1/3 of the rock and only included an eye and mouth
5. Lines and colours of all varieties were used

These observations became the lesson's expectations.

Using a piece of paper and pencil, students sketched their fish but I think you could forego this step.  When they were satisfied, they used Sharpies and other permanent markers to design their fish.  

BEFORE

Jesse's AFTER is the one with the teal face

The end results were as unique as the artists!  These have been placed on our prayer table and only need to be varnished (clear nail polish?) before the kiddies will bring them home.

How did your new school year begin?

~MissBrooks