Hey everybody. I hope this beautiful month of October finds you well. So I was thinking about a topic for this month's blog and I started reflecting on how topics like math can be viewed in everyday life experiences. When I connect that concept to what students experience, they actually encounter math on a daily basis just like we do as adults. I mean think about the math that a 16-18 year old driver has to experience for the first time: they have to consider speed limits, how fast they are driving (while some don't always do that, it's important to note that this is what they have to consider). Also, they have to have an understanding of the amount of fuel/gas needed to fill up their tank (again, while some don't do that, it's important to point that out as an opportunity for them encounter real life math). These young drivers also have to understand the meaning of the gas needle on the dashboard when it's pointing to 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, or 4/4...as much as they may have had a bad experience with fractions in school, that concept has it's place in real life).
And since we're in the Fall season, we know that math ideas/concepts have a place in real world experiences during this time of the year. For example, a student in middle school may have to estimate the number of bags it'll take to rake leaves when filling 3 bags per hour and they work outdoors raking leaves for a total of 7 hours. For the child at the elementary level, they may have to consider ways they can share a certain amount of freshly picked apples or mini pumpkins between friends equally. And for the youngest learners at PreK/Kindergarten, their teacher may assign them a task of turning off their video camera and going on a walk to collect leaves (this idea came to mind since some schools are still virtual at this time). These young learners may be asked to collect leaves around the neighborhood then sort them by color, shape, size, etc. as part of an interactive math lesson. Whatever the case may be, everyday encounters with math can be found at all levels! Under this week's Intentional Toolkit I share an article that highlights at least 22 examples of math in everyday life; I hope you find this resource useful.
So this Sunday as you kick back in the recliner to enjoy some football or watch the World-Series, I hope you keep track of the number of points each team earns, or the number of rushing yards that your favorite wide receiver makes. In doing so I urge you to ask yourself this one question...Where's the Math? :) Until next time...go out there and be GREAT!
And since we're in the Fall season, we know that math ideas/concepts have a place in real world experiences during this time of the year. For example, a student in middle school may have to estimate the number of bags it'll take to rake leaves when filling 3 bags per hour and they work outdoors raking leaves for a total of 7 hours. For the child at the elementary level, they may have to consider ways they can share a certain amount of freshly picked apples or mini pumpkins between friends equally. And for the youngest learners at PreK/Kindergarten, their teacher may assign them a task of turning off their video camera and going on a walk to collect leaves (this idea came to mind since some schools are still virtual at this time). These young learners may be asked to collect leaves around the neighborhood then sort them by color, shape, size, etc. as part of an interactive math lesson. Whatever the case may be, everyday encounters with math can be found at all levels! Under this week's Intentional Toolkit I share an article that highlights at least 22 examples of math in everyday life; I hope you find this resource useful.
So this Sunday as you kick back in the recliner to enjoy some football or watch the World-Series, I hope you keep track of the number of points each team earns, or the number of rushing yards that your favorite wide receiver makes. In doing so I urge you to ask yourself this one question...Where's the Math? :) Until next time...go out there and be GREAT!
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