On
January 29, the SMS Math department hosted its second annual Math Night in the
Holy Family Center. Students in grades
6-8 displayed their individual projects, and class projects were displayed for
grades K-5.
K-5
Kindergartners
are rolling with math by adding with dice, while 1st graders are exploring math
with technology. Second graders are
applying their math skills within their science lessons by counting,
estimating, measuring, comparing and hypothesizing with pumpkin math. Third grade is using (M&M’s) to learn
sorting, adding and graphing.
In
4th grade, a group of students applied multiplication and problem
solving strategies to plan a holiday party, while the others learned about the
mathematician Fibonacci, solving his intriguing “rabbit” problem and exploring
how patterns and numbers relate to the “Golden Ratio” which is used in art and
architecture.
A
group of 5th graders is doing math with technology. They are learning the basic concepts of
Computer Science with drag and drop programming. A puzzle game, Lightbot, is a tool that uses
programming game mechanics to let players gain a practical understanding of
basic coding. The students learn to
sequence instructions, write procedures, and utilize loops to solve problems at
different levels. Another group of 5th
graders will be displaying what they learned by planning and budgeting a trip
to a dream destination. They learned how
to plan a trip, estimate cost and create a budget.
6th
Grade – Game Design
Games
are an integral part of all societies.
Games and learning enjoy a connection that predates digital technology
by thousands of years. For example, did
you know that the game of chess was used in the Middle Ages and Renaissance to
teach nobleman the strategies of war?
Not until the mid twentieth century did the association between games
and learning begin to capture the public’s appreciation.
Since
kids love games, so what better way is there to promote learning than to have students
develop educational math games that are exciting to them? This year the 6th grade class
project involved designing a math game that incorporated at least eight
different math concepts and could be played in the classroom and/or with family
and friends at home. The games not only
must incorporate math concepts, but should also include mathematical practice
skills including critical thinking, communication, collaboration,
problem-solving, sense-making and reasoning all connecting to the real world. Students may choose to design a board,
computer, sports or almost any other type of game. The students estimated how much it would cost
to manufacture the game, how to price it, and develop a marketing / sales
campaign to sell it to make money
7th
Grade - Architectural Mathematics Dream House Project
Designing
a dream house is an exciting, challenging, and rewarding experience that can
spark interest and creativity while learning.
In
the 7th grade project, students had the opportunity to demonstrate their
creativity and mathematical knowledge while designing their dream house. The objective was to design a family-friendly
house and yard that they can sell for a profit.
This applied mathematics project provided the students the opportunity
to “dream” and have fun with mathematical concepts, while applying them to
real-life learning situations. Students working in groups of 3-4 applied for
construction loans, and designed their house and yard using bubble diagrams
that evolved to scaled blue prints and, ultimately, 3D physical models.
Accelerated
7th Grade - The “Game of Life” Financial Literacy Project
In
today’s complex financial world, being financially literate is a critical life
skill… as important as reading, writing, and arithmetic. Let’s face it – kids like money. So combining financial education with math instruction
is a fabulous way to teach and excite students about math and educate them
about financial literacy.
This
year in the 7th grade Accelerated Pre-Algebra class, students had the
opportunity to apply math skills to many of life’s costly challenges, while
learning important financial concepts along the way. Students explored personal finance and
financial literacy all on the context of the “Game of Life’. Students gained a general understanding of
all key aspects of personal finance, however, as with reality of life, they
were also thrown curve balls along the way that required them to continuously
have to adjust their budgets
8th
Grade - The Bridge Project
We
all know a successful bridge or structure design is one that does not
collapse. However, have you ever
wondered how engineers are confident that their design will not have disastrous
results as the Tacoma Narrows Bridge that literally shook itself apart? The answer lies in making sure that the
strength of the bridge, including the materials from which it is made, is able
to support all the forces that may act on it.
From Newton’s Third Law of Motion we know that for every action there is
an equal and opposite reaction. In other
words, if you push against a wall (action) it pushes back against you
(reaction). Nothing moves. Today, engineers design and build bridges
that range in size from superstructures crossing wide estuaries to small
pedestrian bridges spanning busy roads.
Using
K’NEX construction sets, students were introduced to the history, function,
structural design, geometry and strength of bridges. Our 8th graders
developed a deep understanding of the forces involved in structures, the physical
properties of materials, and their applications in the design and construction
of bridges
As
students used the K’NEX set, they had the opportunity to acquire skills using a
hands-on, inquiry-based approach to information and concepts. When the time came for the students to design
and build their own bridges of glue and toothpicks, the designs will have sound
structural knowledge behind them.
Terri
I Chapman
Middle
School Math Curriculum Chair
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