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Category: Problem-Solving

The Two Most Important Questions to Ask Your Kids

The Two Most Important Questions to Ask Your Kids

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Okay, so I’m talking about the two most important questions you can ask your kids to help develop mathematical thinking. Wait! Don’t go. Math often receives short shrift. It’s unfortunate because math, taught correctly, teaches us how to effectively problem solve. It’s also the perfect subject to teach our kids persistence. Research has shown that kids who are persistent tend to do better academically. And doing well academically has great benefits in life. The two most important questions: #1: WHY?…

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The Artistic Side of Math – 180-degree Rotational Symmetry

The Artistic Side of Math – 180-degree Rotational Symmetry

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Crossword puzzles are symmetrical?! That’s usually the response I get after students have been given a chance to look through blank crossword puzzles I’ve cut from the paper. Then I show them how all crosswords are designed with 180-degree rotational symmetry. Starting with 90-degree rotational symmetry, we rotate an object 1/4 the way around the circle. See photo below. Then we rotate an additional 90 degrees so that we end up with a turn of 180-degrees. (We’ve done work in…

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There is No Math Gene

There is No Math Gene

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Remember when I said there is no math gene? I meant it. But to underscore it, I’m going to share my son’s artwork. What does art have to do with math genes? Take a look at the photo. These are some of the art pieces that are hanging on my wall created by my oldest son. (My youngest son has an art wall, as well.) I’ll have to admit, these pieces are pretty good. The longboard piece (Gustave Caillebotte’s Paris…

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Project-Based Learning – Target Practice: Teaching the Area Formula for a Circle

Project-Based Learning – Target Practice: Teaching the Area Formula for a Circle

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Meaningful math with a purpose! This great hands-on lesson gets students doing math while designing targets. Students become comfortable using the area formula for circles. And the best part is, their targets are set up and used during the school’s fall carnival. Watch the video below for the entire lesson plan. CCSS: 7.G.4 TEKS: 6th grade 6C, 8A, 8B Link to video. .

The Artistic Side of Math – Area

The Artistic Side of Math – Area

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This is one of my favorite math and art activities. That’s because it involves a mathematical pattern. Using centimeter graph paper, we start with the basic unit which, in this case, is simply one square. I then ask students what they think the area would be if we doubled the size of the square. The first thing they blurt out before thinking is “two”. I then use the graph paper to show them that if I double the square (double…

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