Day 1
We first began with an activity on group work. Students were to discuss what they like and what they don't like about group work. They created posters with their groups. We then came together to create a class list of the dos and don'ts of group work.
Four 4s
After watching a short video, we then did the Four 4s activity. Students are to use four 4s with any operation to find the numbers 1-20. We first brainstormed what operations we could use (+, -, x, ÷) and then the students came up with some other ideas like fractions, square roots, negative numbers, etc. Students were a little slow to jump in to the activity. Once they got a hang of it, they began to enjoy playing around with the numbers and finding new answers. We still haven't found all of the solutions so we will come back to it throughout the week...
Day 2
Day 2 of iMath has students explore visual patterns using a sheet made up of circles in various shapes and patterns. Students are to look at it and find any patterns that they can. Watch as they discover patterns and make connections...
Now listen to one student explain his color-coding system for the visual patterns he found...
And another student sharing her ideas on prime numbers (which don't have any "friends")...
Day 3
Paper Folding Activity
Today the students did the paper folding activity. The students are given a standard 8.5 x 11 sheet of paper. They are asked to fold it into a square. They must be able to defend and explain how they know it's a square. They are then given 5 challenges: 1. Construct a square with exactly ¼ the area of the original square, 2. Construct a triangle with exactly ¼ the area of the original square, 3. Construct another triangle, also with ¼ the area, that is not congruent to the first one you constructed, 4.Construct a square with exactly ½ the area of the original square, and 5. Construct another square, also with ½ the area, that is oriented differently from the one you constructed in 4.
This activity proved to be challenging. Most groups were able to complete three of the tasks. Some thought that they completed all five but weren't able to successfully explain that their shapes were the correct dimensions. If you think you can do it, give this activity a try!!
Day 4
Number Dot Talk
For this activity, a group of dots were flashed on the screen for about 1 second. Students were to tell how many dots they saw and describe the way in which they saw the dots grouped. There were several patterns shared. This activity is designed to show that we can come to the same answer, but often we see numbers and patterns in different ways.
Pascal's Triangle
This activity is again looking at numbers and patterns. Students worked in groups to find the missing numbers in Pascal's triangle. They were then given questions to help them to find more patterns that emerge when you look deeper into the triangle.
Day 5
Seeing Shapes Grow
Paper Folding Activity
Today the students did the paper folding activity. The students are given a standard 8.5 x 11 sheet of paper. They are asked to fold it into a square. They must be able to defend and explain how they know it's a square. They are then given 5 challenges: 1. Construct a square with exactly ¼ the area of the original square, 2. Construct a triangle with exactly ¼ the area of the original square, 3. Construct another triangle, also with ¼ the area, that is not congruent to the first one you constructed, 4.Construct a square with exactly ½ the area of the original square, and 5. Construct another square, also with ½ the area, that is oriented differently from the one you constructed in 4.
This activity proved to be challenging. Most groups were able to complete three of the tasks. Some thought that they completed all five but weren't able to successfully explain that their shapes were the correct dimensions. If you think you can do it, give this activity a try!!
Day 4
Number Dot Talk
For this activity, a group of dots were flashed on the screen for about 1 second. Students were to tell how many dots they saw and describe the way in which they saw the dots grouped. There were several patterns shared. This activity is designed to show that we can come to the same answer, but often we see numbers and patterns in different ways.
Pascal's Triangle
This activity is again looking at numbers and patterns. Students worked in groups to find the missing numbers in Pascal's triangle. They were then given questions to help them to find more patterns that emerge when you look deeper into the triangle.
Day 5
Seeing Shapes Grow
On the last day of the Week of Inspirational Math, students were asked to explain how they saw the shapes growing from one figure to another. The idea was for students to see that we don't all see things the same way. There is more than one way of looking at things mathematically. The students were asked to share and name the different ways that they see it. They were very creative in their visions...and their naming.
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| A student sharing his "push-up" method. |
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| The "rainbow", "Tetris", and "crane" methods. |
Excellent documentation of student engagement. I'm impressed.
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