Week of Inspirational Math
The week of inspirational math is a week were we watch certain videos and conduct activities to help develop concepts that will help us conduct math in the future with maximum brain growth.
1. Building Shapes: In the Building Shapes activity my group members made 1D and 3D shapes with a rope that had both ends tied together, but hear is the catch each person in my group had to have at least one hand on the rope.
2. Number Visual Pennies: In the Number Visual Pennies activity we had to identify visual patterns, then with one hundred pennies find a way to disperse them along five different pattern structures.
3. One-Cut Geometry: In the One-Cut Geometry activity we had to draw a scalene triangle in the middle of patty paper and then cut it out with only one cut. (We also tried other shapes and figures)
4. Square Mania: In the Square Mania activity we found how many squares were made when a certain amount of line segments were created into a figure.
2. Number Visual Pennies: In the Number Visual Pennies activity we had to identify visual patterns, then with one hundred pennies find a way to disperse them along five different pattern structures.
3. One-Cut Geometry: In the One-Cut Geometry activity we had to draw a scalene triangle in the middle of patty paper and then cut it out with only one cut. (We also tried other shapes and figures)
4. Square Mania: In the Square Mania activity we found how many squares were made when a certain amount of line segments were created into a figure.
One-Cut Geometry Problem The One-Cut Geometry problem asked us to draw a scalene triangle in the middle of a square piece of patty paper, then cut it out using only one cut. After this first step was completed, you then started experimenting with other shapes such as hexagons, trapezoids, multiple types of triangle, made up shapes, and more.
At first, my group member and I were all individually folding the patty paper randomly. Eventually, we came together and discussed possible solutions, but to no resolve. Then we all went back to folding our patty papers, but this time we were communicating with each other and sharing things that seemed to work and not work. We were folding corner to corner, corners to center, and eventually started to try to make a triangle at the edge of our patty paper. Then we realized that there needed to be only one line for one cut. How could we make three lines into one? This is when we started to fold the lines of the triangle on top of each other. We cut the paper and it worked! Aligning all the lines to make one line was our ending solution. One challenge I faced was not know were to start. This held me back for awhile, before I was able to actively start working on the problem. This threw me for a metal loop. I overcame this challenge by starting to communicate to my group members and by realizing that mistakes are valuable. This led me to the conclusion just go for it, conjecture and test. During this problem I used the Habits of Mathematicians conjecture and test. I used this Habit of Mathematicians by coming up with a folding idea, then testing this idea on the patty paper. I did this multiple times, each time one idea would not work I took a new approach, got a new idea, then tested the new idea on the patty paper. I used the Habit of Mathematician conjecture and test almost like a procedure while trying to find a solution to the One-Cut Geometry problem. Another Habit of Mathematicians I used was be systematic. I used this skill within each new idea I tried by making a singular fold and seeing how it affected my outcome. I made small changes to find different outcomes, eventually using the new knowledge to make bigger changes. I chose the One-Cut Geometry problem because I had an ah-ha moment while working with my group members. At first my group members and I were just randomly folding, but as the lines started overlapping I realized that to cut the scalene triangle in one cut there could only be one line. To make only one line you need to fold all the lines on top of each other and then cut the one solid line. This was my ah-ha moment when everything clicked. |
Reflection:
I believe the purpose of the week of inspirational math was to help the students develop concepts that allows them to efficiently work out problems in the future with the maximum amount of brain growth. By focusing on the week of inspirational math we were able to develop skills that will help us problem solve. These skills will help us solve math problems throughout the school year. The week of inspirational math laid down the foundation we need to be able to solve/find solutions to math problems in the future.
Video 1: Strategies for Learning Mathematics
During the week of inspirational math I feel I have affectively participated and put effort into all of the activities. Within my table group I consistently shared my ideas and perspective while working with each of my group members to solve the problem/activity at hand. I have also actively listen to my group members ideas, perspectives, and suggestions to apply them to what we were trying. I have put effort into this week by giving each activity my all, constantly thinking of new ways to approach the problem and trying to make connections to previous and new subjects. Another way I have put my effort into the week of inspirational math was by driving myself to want to learn more, to want to be inspired, and to want to grow.
Video 1: Strategies for Learning Mathematics
- In this video five strategies for solving problems are explained. These strategies are draw it first, teamwork, experiment, look for different resources, and start with a smaller case. These strategies remind me a lot of the Habits of Mathematicians. The message that was shown through the video was that there are multiple ways to approach and solve a problem. This message inspires me to always try new approaches because there is never only one way of finding/create a solution.
- This video explains how deep thinking is more important than speed. The message that came across was that speed does not define how good you are at math, nor is it important. I am usually always the last one to finish a test, so this message really is important to me. When people finish a test before me it gives me a nervous feeling, like I was not quick enough to solve/find a solution to the problems. So this message really makes me feel comfortable and confident in taking my time to think deeply.
- In this video it explains how there in no such thing as a "math person." The message shown through this video was that there is no such thing as a "math person" and that everyone can learn to the highest level of math. I have always loved finding solutions to problems, but when people find solutions like it is not even difficult sometimes I get discourage. Learning that everyone can learn to the highest level of math boosted my confidence, making me want to pursue math problems with more energy.
- In this video it explains how when you are solving a problem and you believe in yourself your brain grows more. The message that came across was that you need to believe in yourself and your ability. This video inspired me to be more confident in sharing my ideas because believing in yourself while trying to solve a problem helps your brain grow.
- In this video the process of how mistake help your brain grow is explained. When you make mistake synapses in your brain fire (connections), making new pathways. The message shown through this video was that mistakes are valuable and help you make better connections. Sometimes when I make mistake or can't figure out a problem I get frustrated. Learning that mistake are actually helping your brain grow and making connections that will assist you in solving a problem made me want to be more experimental when it comes to solving problems.
During the week of inspirational math I feel I have affectively participated and put effort into all of the activities. Within my table group I consistently shared my ideas and perspective while working with each of my group members to solve the problem/activity at hand. I have also actively listen to my group members ideas, perspectives, and suggestions to apply them to what we were trying. I have put effort into this week by giving each activity my all, constantly thinking of new ways to approach the problem and trying to make connections to previous and new subjects. Another way I have put my effort into the week of inspirational math was by driving myself to want to learn more, to want to be inspired, and to want to grow.