Mathematics: Working with Numbers
Math Workshop.
Teaching math within a workshop model gives the children a chance to participate in several hands on activities over the math period including math games and challenges. It also allows me to work with each child in a much smaller group setting or one-on-one. While workbooks and worksheets are not a big part of workshops, even when the children are working on math pages they are approaching math in a hands on way, using manipulatives and working in teams or partnerships to solve problems in interesting and efficient ways that promote a strong number sense and mental math skills. |
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Measurement.
Third graders are ready to solve real world problems using measurement tools in the classroom. During this study, third graders studied measurement and standard units through a series of hands on investigations. They made their own rulers using centimeter cubes and inch tiles as a reference. They also used manufactured rulers, yard sticks, and meter sticks to solve measurement problems about our classroom. |
Data Projects.
Through a hands-on study the third graders learned how to collect, organize, describe, and analyze data. These projects were based on survey questions designed by the third graders. They worked in pairs and small groups to survey their classmates and other children in our school. Then they used their knowledge of data organization and representation to create a poster and a presentation to share their discoveries with the class. Third graders are naturally interested in learning about each other so they quickly became very invested in these projects. |