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Gone Mathin': A Project-Based Design-Approach to Math (and Science, too)

Intro

Gone Mathin' is based on the simple idea that kids learn better by becoming producers rather than consumers of their learning. I have taken all the skills from our 4th Grade Curriculum and embedded them into real-world projects for the students to execute.

Purposes of this article: - Document my own journey - Inform the parents of the children who'll execute this project - Share this project with other educators

Philosophy The philosophy driving this project is simple: Students will gain a deeper understanding of any material if given the chance to use their learning in active and meaningful ways.

Catch Phrases: Producers not Consumers Project-Based Learning Challenge-Based Learning Inquiry-Based Learning Integrated Approach Design Thinking in the Classroom Numercy Numbersight

Frequently Asked Questions:

FAQs

"What is project-based learning?" Simply put, it's simply putting all the skills in the curriculum in the context of completing some sort of project.

"Is this some sort of paperless-hippie initiative where kids just learn by experiencing?" No. This is a very structured series of projects with clear goals and measurable standards.

"How will the kids learn the basic skills workbooks teach?" Each project will have curricula embedded within it. Each curricular skill will be covered in two projects at least.

"How long is each project?" Project lengths will vary from two weeks to the entire school year.

"What types of projects will you create?" High interest projects such as architectural projects, money-related projects, relevant data analysis, and 3D design projects.

"Will the curriculum be the basis for the projects?" Absolutely.

"What do these challenges have in common?" Each challenge or project utilizes this basic template that is given to students in the ActivInspire Flipchart form:

- The Challenge - What Do You Already Know/ What Do You Want to Know - Tools of the Trade for this Challenge - Embedded Lessons for the Skills Needed to Successfully Complete this Challenge - Student Artifacts that Demonstrate Understanding - Student Reflections - Dig Deeper Opportunities for Students - Advice for Future Learners

References and Influences:

Every bit of research I've read points me in this direction. Kids need to be up, out of their seat, and producing things with their learning. In other words, they must USE math, not just regurgitate it on paper. Here are some handy resources that I've learned from:

Shop Class as Soul Craft (book) by Matthew Crawford

Project-Based Learning by Suzie Boss

The Sherpa Guide by Brenda Corbett

"What Happened to the Craftmanship Spirit?" Article in NY Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/22/business/what-happened-to-the-craftsmanship-spirit-essay.html?_r=1

"Good Guess" by Annie Paul of Time Magazine: http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,2101041,00.html

Ted Talk by Conrad Wolfram about Project-Based Math Instruction : http://www.ted.com/talks/conrad_wolfram_teaching_kids_real_math_with_computers.html

"What You (Really) Need to Know" NY Times article by Larry Summers: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/22/education/edlife/the-21st-century-education.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all

Dan Myers' Ted Talk about USING Math: http://www.ted.com/talks/dan_meyer_math_curriculum_makeover.html

Project List with Curricular Skills Noted:

Data Sets: Calculations, Data Analysis, and Storytelling Straw Chapel: Angles Money: Decimals (and Social Studies, too) Accordian Art: Angles and Measurement Gingerbread House: Measurement, 3D modeling, and Scale Swimming Pool: Area and Volume Knot of the Month: Spatial Reasoning PVC Chapel: Scale and Measurement Clinometer: Angles and Measurement Cereal Box: Scale and Volume Carnival Poll: Data Analysis Sand Castle: Measurements and Scale Paper Airplanes: Angles and Metric Measurement Genetics: Fractions, Decimals, and Percents EggBot: Weight and Circumference Kong Toilet: Scale and Measurement (with Science, too) 4-Square Court Design: Scale, Angles, and Measurement

Brief Explanation of Projects:

Data Sets: Using magnetic faceplates, students chart a questions such as "How Many Siblings Do You have?". Students need to find the range, mode, median, and mean. This attacks their calculation skills in that in the Fall long addition is reviewed, the Winter long multiplication is learned, and then in the Spring long division is learned. Subtraction is needed to find the range for each data set. There is also a "What's the Story?" aspect that teaches the difference between raw data and actual information.

Straw Chapel: Using straws and pipecleaners, students create a mini-version of our eclectic Chapel on campus replicating the funky angles of the roofing.

Money: Students learn all about money in this thematic unit, including how to add, subtract, and multiply decimals.

Accordian Art: Students create accordian-style self-portraits. Execution of a portrait that changes and the viewer moves is based on proper alignment, measurement, and angle manipulation.

Gingerbread House: After an inspirational Food Network show, students design a scaled 3D model of their Gingerbread houses before creating their actual houses. They need to measure the tray and cartons in order to make their 3D models to scale and then decide the positioning of their home in regards to a front yard vs. back yard spacing. Swimming Pool: Students work in small groups to go through the Design Thinking process in order to create a customized swimming pool for their client:  Me the teacher. The students need to work through my strict criteria in order to achieve a volume consisting of three depths for the pool that surrounds my home.

Knot of the Month: Students learn to tie a new knot with a specific use each month. This teaches students both spatial reasoning and a practical life skill. Students will be asked to use several of these knots during challenges throughout the school year.

PVC Chapel: Students will be asked to "scale-up" their straw Chapels using a new material and a variety of tools and materials such as PVC pipes.

Clinometer: Students are challenged to find the height of various campus heights (buildings, trees, goalposts, etc.) from the ground using their knowledge of equilateral right angles. They'll learn to make a clinometer and also use the clinometer app on an iPod Touch.

Cereal Box: Students look at cereals in the store, then design their own cereal brand and packaging theme. The next challenge is to create the shape and dimensions of their boxes using 3D modeling software. They then use a machine that creates a scaled down professional quality hand-held version of the cereal box.

Carnival Poll: Students create a series of questions about our annual carnival. We poll half the grade level (100 students) to achieve a better understanding regarding our carnival. Infographics are also created to demonstrate this information. Students will use Excel to create vibrant graphs and charts, too.

Sand Castle: Students use Google SketchUp to design their castles then visit the beach to build them to their previous specifications.

Paper Airplanes: Students are challenged to make planes that will fly far and straight. They'll learn about aerodynamics and then be asked to create "how to" designs that consist of labels for each fold that describe the angles and measurements from the corners.

Genetics: Students are asked to first chart their family trees going back at least two generations. Using that information they calculate the fraction, decimal, and percentage of each ethnicity they possess.

EggBot: Students first acquire fresh eggs laid here on campus by Mr. Lum's chickens which he gives to guest speakers who visit his classroom. Our task is to weigh the eggs and measure the circumference. We then use a hilarious EggBot device that use a robotic arm to write intricately created graphics and labels on the egg itself.

PVC Furniture: Students will once again use Design Thinking to customize and create a piece of PVC furniture for a client. Students will need to use measurement in order to customize

Kong Toilet: Scale and Measurement (with Science, too) Starting with a science unit based on the workings and history of the toilet, students create a working model toilet. This project asks the students to scale-up this small model to a gigantic working toilet for King Kong should have visit our campus and have to go.

4-Square Court Design: After receiving a letter asking students to scale-down the four-square courts for smaller children, students have to use their math, measurement, and angle-making skills to chalk out the new courts.