This project provides a cross curricular learning opportunity within the math classroom, helping to instill that math surrounds us and influences where we can go in life. I once heard how hating math is like hating to read - you just haven't found what type of math you love! This will provide numerous ways for students to pick up a math based activity - whether it be a STEM based book, graphic novel, fidget toy, game or art project and put away their smart device. They will truly be sticking their iPads on a charger and powering up their minds.
When given the opportunity, students will always default to their iPad. Their goal is to complete their assignment (whether correctly or incorrectly) as fast as possible in order to switch to playing games or using social media. This project will give students a variety of math and STEM based cross curricular options as well as fidgets to utilize in class.
While the new four day school week will not allow for much downtime, when it occurs, it is my preference that student's option is more academic based. With teaching math strategies as well, this will allow for students that struggle a bit more to have opportunity to connect to math in a more engaging way.
My proposed design is a designated bookshelf with 30 charging stations for iPad, iPhone, or Android devices. Students can trade in their device - which they will not be allowed to use for anything other than classwork - in exchange for STEM based books, games, or activities that offer a cross curricular approach to mathematics.
Books will take into consideration all levels of learners with series such as The Math Inspectors, Sir Cumference, and Charlesbridge Math Adventures. It will also include STEM based books with a focus on influential scientists, space exploration, coding, and women in science. Finally it will include "real world" math to build interest with things like cook books for kids which can give a practical application in multiplication, division, and fractions. Efforts to find high quality second hand copies will be made to fill the shelves with a variety of titles without compromising on content and maximizing donor resources.
Art supplies will include "Color by Math" sheets which focus on basic addition, subtraction, multiplication and division skills as well as classroom sets of colored pencils.
In order to continue the focus of powering up your mind, we have to focus on neurodivergent students. The National Library of Medicine has shown that utilizing fidget toys can increase comprehension and decrease behavioral issues. The shelf would include a classroom set of fidgets that students can utilize during lessons.
When given the opportunity, students will always default to their iPad. Their goal is to complete their assignment (whether correctly or incorrectly) as fast as possible in order to switch to playing games or using social media. This project will give students a variety of math and STEM based cross curricular options as well as fidgets to utilize in class.
While the new four day school week will not allow for much downtime, when it occurs, it is my preference that student's option is more academic based. With teaching math strategies as well, this will allow for students that struggle a bit more to have opportunity to connect to math in a more engaging way.
My proposed design is a designated bookshelf with 30 charging stations for iPad, iPhone, or Android devices. Students can trade in their device - which they will not be allowed to use for anything other than classwork - in exchange for STEM based books, games, or activities that offer a cross curricular approach to mathematics.
Books will take into consideration all levels of learners with series such as The Math Inspectors, Sir Cumference, and Charlesbridge Math Adventures. It will also include STEM based books with a focus on influential scientists, space exploration, coding, and women in science. Finally it will include "real world" math to build interest with things like cook books for kids which can give a practical application in multiplication, division, and fractions. Efforts to find high quality second hand copies will be made to fill the shelves with a variety of titles without compromising on content and maximizing donor resources.
Art supplies will include "Color by Math" sheets which focus on basic addition, subtraction, multiplication and division skills as well as classroom sets of colored pencils.
In order to continue the focus of powering up your mind, we have to focus on neurodivergent students. The National Library of Medicine has shown that utilizing fidget toys can increase comprehension and decrease behavioral issues. The shelf would include a classroom set of fidgets that students can utilize during lessons.
$850
Value:
priceless