GRADE 4 Math Rubric
Students were asked, in groups, to use the following math problem to demonstrate the various levels of our Math Rubric. This Math Rubric is a key tool as we move forward in our work, learning the importance of criteria, self evaluation and how we can improve our work.
The Math Problem:
Jennifer put markers along a running track. She put the first marker at 100m. Then put a marker at every 50 m. How many markers does she need to reach 400m?
The Math Problem:
Jennifer put markers along a running track. She put the first marker at 100m. Then put a marker at every 50 m. How many markers does she need to reach 400m?
Chance and PROBABILITY: What if it's all a Joke?!?!
Theoretical
-VS- Experimental What happens if the results don't match? Are we living in a vortex of chance? Is probability really calculated and mathematically ruled? |
Review of Fractions to Decimals
Year End Test (Kind of)
We took time to review the GRADE 4 YEAR END ACCUMULATIVE REVIEW math test we took in the first week of school.
Rather then rewriting the test we wanted students to review questions they left incomplete, got wrong and compare current math work to this document. This was not an activity for the benefit of teacher assessment, but for student reflection. We compared this process to looking at an old photo album . . . then I needed to explain what a Photo Album is. Some of our reflective questions: What do you notice? Where have you improved? What are your feelings about taking a test? How have your feelings changed about math? Where have you not improved? Based on this data, what are goals that you would set for yourself? |
Lines & Points
Science Quiz |
Todays Challenge |
Geometry TasksCreate 10 shapes and draw a line of symmetry. This lead to conversations about how we define symmetry and exploring the meaning of congruent.
Students were asked to create a venn diagram and sort the capital letters of the alphabet while keeping angles in mind. What was your rule?
This small task will continue tomorrow. |
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Geometry Puzzle Challenge
Time Games
Mind challenging links
LOng Division
Our weekly work on basic operations continues as we are simultaneously exploring Math & Beauty, which is a great way of covering measurement, fractions and ratios.
Students will be expected to demonstrate their long division understanding in 2 ways: 1) Traditional Method (As seen here in this video.) Showing all the steps. & 2) BLIZZARD METHOD (Seen here in the following images.) |
Fraction Challenge (March 9, 2015)
Recess Vitruvian Men
Division On-line practice |
http://www.softschools.com/math/games/division_practice.jsp
Division questions for practice. http://www.mathplayground.com/division01.html Collection of 5 on-line division games http://www.fun4thebrain.com/division.html 3 pages of on-line division games |
Fibonacci: the natural sequence
As we progress on our journey on {Mathematics and Beauty} we looked at Fibonacci and the sequence that seems to 'pop-up' everywhere.
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THE STEPS . . .
1) Sand down your piece of wood (5-10 min) 2) Dark or Light paint wash (15 min) 3) Tape down template (5 min) 4) Indent 14 points (10 min) 5) Remove template and hammer in 14 nails (15-20 min) 6) Use string to create a unique design (40 min) |
Movie: Beautiful Equations
Asking the students to look at math through an artists lens, may help us gain perspective on the relationship between Mathematics and Beauty.
The content of the movie is quite challenging for our young budding minds. But it was fascinating to watch those who's eyes light up, heads went down and the comments that ensued. " I can't know everything about everything!!!" "My brain is hurting!" " I must be getting really strong then!" (Comment made after the teacher re-read the poster on the door that states, "We only get stronger when it's difficult.") Beautiful Equations: Published on Nov 13, 2012 Artist and writer Matt Collings takes the plunge into an alien world of equations. He asks top scientists to help him understand five of the most famous equations in science, talks to Stephen Hawking about his equation for black holes and comes face to face with a particle of anti-matter. |
Capturing major themes and ideas from the MOVIE: Beautiful Equations through Visual Murals.
Visual Murals is a way of capturing ideas shared by an observer while a meeting, movie, event or speaker is exploring a topic.
Visual Murals is a way of capturing ideas shared by an observer while a meeting, movie, event or speaker is exploring a topic.
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Introducing Multiplication to a group of students who feel proficient at it has its challenges. What do you see when asked a multiplication question? Numbers or an array? Can you use 6-7 different strategies to complete a simple multiplication problem? Are you able to accurately use math manipulatives to show what multiplication is?
Students were give a 10x10 multiplication chart and 8 minutes to identify as many patterns as they can. (A task many have down before.) They were then shown the image below on the left.
Is this art and why?
After a small conversation most agreed it was art and it had visual appeal because of its pattering and sequencing. If this is considered art, or at least aesthetically pleasing, then is the image on the right art?
The ideas that followed centered around the idea of a mathematical formula for beautiful things and if math plays a role in what we are attracted to.
Students were give a 10x10 multiplication chart and 8 minutes to identify as many patterns as they can. (A task many have down before.) They were then shown the image below on the left.
Is this art and why?
After a small conversation most agreed it was art and it had visual appeal because of its pattering and sequencing. If this is considered art, or at least aesthetically pleasing, then is the image on the right art?
The ideas that followed centered around the idea of a mathematical formula for beautiful things and if math plays a role in what we are attracted to.
Double Digit Subtraction (with Regrouping)
Double Digit Addition (with Carrying)
Patterns & Relationships
Understanding patterns using charts and graphs.
- Rules to patterns. - Problem Solving using patterning tools. - Patterns beyond the numbers. - |
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Pi (π) is the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter. Pi is a constant number, meaning that for all circles of any size, Pi will be the same.
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Are there patterns in pi? Watch. Think. Question. Explore.
Don't just blindly believe and trust, but question and challenge. (Can you find a pattern in Pi?) |
Here are a few Pi challenges to play. |