Week 1 (Spring)

At our meeting this morning we discussed several options for the spring project. After much discussion, we decided that all the classes would focus on Math in Our World.  Each class would develop a project based on this theme. In each class, I introduced the theme, discussed ideas with students, and came up with a final product. We also planned out a timeline to ensure the work was completed. Here is what we decided:

• K-14: Math in Games - Students will play different, fun games and learn how math is important in playing games. They will take pictures of themselves playing the games, and write the rules for each game. Then they will create a podcast of games. Some of the games we brainstormed are baseball, basketball, Sorry, Operation, and Tic-Tac-Toe
• 1-104: Math in our Homes - Students will conduct investigations of their homes to find how math is used in each room in the house. We know there is math in clocks, on phones, and on our addresses, but where else do we find math? Can we live in our house without math? Students will use what they learn to create videos.
• 2-204/3-304: Math in our World Websites - Students will create websites to teach students important mathematical topics. Some of the topics might be measurement, estimation, patterns, addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. On the websites we will use real-world pictures, create number story movies, and develop math games.
• 4-404: Mathanimation - Students will use animation to teach difficult math concepts and skills. Students will relate math to the real world in their animations. They will focus on topics that most students have difficulty on in the standardized math tests, such as angles, weights and measurements, functions, percents, fractions, area, and perimeter. 
• 5-504: Math Movies: Using the PBS series "The Eddie Files" as inspiration, students will develop full-length movies in which math concepts are used to solve real world problems. The class will develop into a full fledged production house with actors, directors, prop managers, set designers, and more. Students will use math to help plan and organize their movie, and keep to their timeline. 

Lots to do. Let's come back next session with topic ideas and groups.