Bilateral/Mirror Symmetry
Using folded paper and scissors, students create designs with bilateral (mirror) symmetry. CCSS: 4.G.3
Three “Tools” that Promote Mathematical Thinking
One of the best ways to engage young children in math is to make it hands-on. Here are three hands-on tools that can give kindergartners opportunities to do some great mathematical thinking in the context of…them. Bathroom Scale: The bathroom scale is a fun math “tool” to have in the house because it gives kids immediate feedback and, the best part is, it’s all about them! Unlike a lot of adults who may not like standing on a bathroom scale,…
The Restaurant: Practicing Arithmetic in Third and Fourth Grade
Here’s a fun activity I do with 4th graders but it can be adapted for third graders. I wouldn’t have the 3rd graders figure out the tip unless you want to offer the high achievers a challenge. It’s also a little difficult for 4th graders but I find it’s a teachable moment, so I help them figure it out using number sense (10% + 5%). If you like, you can simply skip the tip part. In advance: Collect real restaurant…
Fractions as a part of a set
Fractions as a part of a set can be tricky for students. Especially when we spend a lot of time teaching fractions as a part of a whole (1 of the 6 equal pieces of pie) and the area model of fractions (1 of the 6 equal regions of the rectangle). When it comes to fractions as a part of a set, I start easy by asking students to count the number of people in class. If there is an…
The Attributes Game
By far, this is the game my students L-O-V-E the best. That’s because it’s all about them. And that’s okay because I get to use it to help kids make connections in math. This is a game we used to do in Mathematics A Way of Thinking (Math Their Way) workshops. It’s all about attributes. Attributes are characteristics of something. I actually use the word ‘attributes’ with students because I want them to become familiar with what it means. That…