NO! We want to build from and reward their natural curiousity. Games and exploration are the key pillars. At this stage, our thinking is:
- number sense is primary
- guided games and exploration
- communication builds deeper understanding
Number sense
Numbers are all around. Children can be encouraged to attend to the occurrence and use of mathematical concepts. By estimating, measuring and comparing, they build an intuition which leads to comfort. For examples:
- how many marbles in a jar (numbers of objects and volume)
- how tall is their friend (length)
- how long does it take to drive to school (time)
- how much mass does this mango have (mass)
- etc (area, volume, temperature, cost,angle measures, Fermi questions)
For a really intriguing story about the results of one school district using this approach, see:
Guiding
Take them to interesting places and let them explore. If it necessary, use leading questions to help but this is still best if our attitude is that we are also exploring. This is like a scuba or ski guide (and not a "tell" instructor).
Communicate
Encourage the kids to communicate what they are doing, what they think about it, why they think it works, etc. They can and should use words, pictures, diagrams, physical objects, and equations. Maybe even musical rhythms and tones?
Resources
As we kick-off our plan to add some fun math and reading activities, these are some of the resources from which we are drawing ideas and inspiration:
- nrich.maths.org: a lot of fun games and exploratory activities meant to be "low threshold and high ceiling"
- RightStart Mathematics books (aka Abacus Math)
- US Common Core Standards. We are using this for curriculum benchmarks in both math and language arts. This link has an example for grade 2 math.
- Mathematics Mastery: http://www.mathematicsmastery.org/
- Khan academy
We have a bigger list that will be useful once we get the rhythm established. *UPDATE* Here is a bigger list of resources we like.
Plan for tomorrow
- Venn diagrams of different shapes
- Looking for patterns in an addition table
- Some number balance games (online balance, other examples). Note: we prefer to use a physical balance.
Here was one suggestion:
ตอบลบdo something with dynamical systems
I like that idea and will have to look around for some projects. I remember that there are a bunch of fun and simple ones, but I don't recall them offhand. It also links nicely with pencilcode. I've already seen and built some fractals in my experiments there.
The original commenter added these:
ลบSelecting competitors for a swim team. This is a great activity. Though I don't see the connection to dynamical systems . . . maybe an extension to a soccer team or any other team event?
Dinner party
necsi Pedagogical methods
A search for 'complex systems activities for kids' had even more resources, the ones above are just a sampling
Use network relationships as an entry for linear algebra
ตอบลบI don't know much about this, actually. Here is an intro I found from UNC:
Linear Algebra in Network Theory.
I will have to think a bit to see how to bring that to a level they understand. To bad we aren't big sports fans because doing a matrix of people who have played on the same team could be a way to go.
At this stage, I'm not particularly in a rush to get them into linear algebra, but matrix manipulations might have to start soon if Jate keeps insisting on marching around a large army of turtles like this: Color Gang.
Another suggestion/comment:
ตอบลบDon't forget about bedtime math
We sometimes do their daily problem before bedtime. They enjoy it, so a good part of the resources to have in rotation.