One of the most common things I have heard from students from the time I was a student was, “When will I ever have to use this in life?” As adults, we know there are countless ways that we use Math in life. As teachers, we all recognize the purpose of Math and so we try to show our students with math problems that make connections to real world situations, through the use of word problems. I have found, that word problems are not always enough for students to see the purpose of math, and that sometimes students need to experience using the math in a hands on practical activity.
A lesson that I once
used with some Grade 7 students in a Numeracy Intervention class was
successful in the students experiencing using math in the real world.
This lesson wasn't based around a specific Grade 7 expectation, as
the purpose of the Intervention class was not to cover the curriculum
(that was done in their homeroom) but to bridge a gap so that they
could be more successful in their classroom. The gap I was trying to
bridge in this case, was for the students to see a purpose in math
and see that math can be enjoyable.
The activity the
students did was to create checker/chess boards on four picnic tables
for the school yard. Throughout this activity they used math skills
such as measurement, division, and symmetry. The activity was student
lead, where with very little guidance, the students figured out what
calculations and measurements they would need to make the squares on
the boards equal and fit in the centre of the picnic table. They
discovered throughout the activity, how important math skills were.
As the students calculated, measured, and painted that tables, the
students had a blast. For one of the first times that term, I
witnessed at-risk students who normally complained about school,
enjoy themselves and look forward to class. This was a ground
breaking moment in the term, which changed their view of math from
that day forward.
For those that work in
a Catholic board, you might also appreciate how this activity also
worked towards some of the Ontario Catholic Graduate Expectations. By
creating the game boards for the school yard, the students learned
about being a responsible citizen, and they became very proud of
themselves that they did something for the school community.
This is a heartwarming success story to hear. It is so common (especially in a math class) to hear "When will I ever use this?", and it is always great to hear of students who have come to enjoy learning and have found value in math. As teachers, our job is to provide students with opportunities to meet their own educational needs. Meeting students where they are at means finding the gaps in their specific class, and then finding activities that can help meet their unique needs.
ReplyDeleteIn teacher's college, one of my practicum schools held an annual Math department trip to Canada's Wonderland. Before attending the trip, each student completed a grade-appropriate assignment referring to analytic geometry of specific rides at Canada's Wonderland. Students analyzed the linear and parabolic shapes of certain rides, and calculated values such as the slope, vertex, zeroes, etc. of each ride. When the students arrived at Wonderland, they were excited to experience the content that they had learned at school, and to have a more relevant understanding of their pencil and paper assignments. I think that "real-world" math applications such as these can do wonders for students who usually struggle for the motivation to learn the necessary math skills to succeed at school.