Why Bother Taking the Time to Go Hands-On?
Dr. Ben Mardell, Phd with the Project Zero at Harvard University has said, "kids learn through all their senses and they like to touch and manipulate things." Basically, hands-on activities activate more regions of student’s brains.
It’s actually pretty simple. As Judy Dodge author of 25 Quick Formative Assessments for a Differentiated Classroom states "The more parts of your brain you use, the more likely you are to retain information, if you're only listening, you're only activating one part of the brain," she says, "but if you're drawing and explaining to a peer, then you're making connections in the brain." That’s why things like doodle notes and hands on activities are so important. Activities like these are easy to implement and immensely beneficial to the students. 1. Cut & Paste
It can sometimes sound rudimentary, but a simple cut and paste activity is a tried and true method of learning. Kinesthetic learning is a great way to engage your students. Have your students cut up diagrams or models from worksheets or even a photocopy of textbook samples.
Then have your students arrange them on paper and scotch tape them down to create the original, then re-number and write/tweak the actual question (save time drawing the diagram or model yourself). Here is a great example of a hands-on pythagorean classroom activity from Kyle Krafka. 2. Folding
Another great illustration of the Pythagorean theorem is through paper folding. By folding a plain sheet of paper your students get a first hand look on exactly how this theorem is applied. This one moves fast, but is really spiffy!
This origami-style activity will help your students see and remember how the theorem actually applies. The great part is that it is a general proof that works for different right triangles, and you can actually fold further to get different versions. 3. Project: Create a 3-d Model
Have your students team up in pairs and create and actual 3D model of the theorem. They can use small balls, blocks, jelly beans, water, or even wadded up balls of paper to show how the side lengths work out. Here is an example that a few students came up with in their own math project.
4. Concept-Based Doodle Notes
This set of doodle notes is a great way for students to record and reference the basics of the Pythagorean Theorem. Visual note-taking is a strategy that is as hands-on as notes can get, and has been proven to boost focus, learning, and long-term retention.
Teaching fundamentals is extremely important. However, what you really your students to retain is the real meaning of it all.
Taking concepts such as the Pythagorean Theorem out of the text (beyond just memorizing a formula) and into our hands is a wonderful way learn. Do you have any tips or tricks you use in your classroom? Let us know what you do in the comments below! Enter your email address to get future articles, free lessons, updates, and more math education ideas: To Read Next:
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2/6/2017 9 Comments Discovery – Based Interactive Math Apps for Visualization & Inquiry (Grades 6-12)
Tech as a Tool for Exploration & Visualization
Although I just posted recently that I strongly believe that the classroom needs to be rooted in pen and paper, that does not mean that our students need to be stuck in an era before technology. There is nothing wrong with allowing eager learners the ability to take advantage of living in the 21st century. In fact, that is part of what education is all about. Improving ways to teach, learn, and grow is how we make the world a better place.
I think the most effective way to integrate technology in a math classroom in the 21st century is to use interactive apps that allow students to explore, investigate, manipulate, and visualize properties. Allowing children and young adults to explore math through virtual tools is amazing. They can discover new connections by engaging on new levels which will increase their academic success. Most of us grew up in classrooms with limited technology. Just a few decades ago there was typically only one computer lab for the whole school and we all took turns getting to experience the cutting edge technology of DOS, Windows and Macintosh. This was the birth of technology in the classroom; integrating virtual lessons to enhance our comprehension while having fun. And those were the days that were the best. When it was your classroom’s turn to play Number Munchers, you were having a great day at school. You could sharpen your basic math skills while playing video games, which was living and learning in the future to our parents. Not to mention a ton of fun for us kids. Tech for Hands-On Student Engagement
Adding excitement helps improve the ability to learn through increased engagement.
Our kids get the same thrill and benefit of having technology in their classrooms as well. Even though the technology has grown leaps and bounds since we were in grade school, the feeling is the same. We are instantly more enthusiastic when we are able to explore concepts through other platforms.
Top 7 Interactive Apps & Virtual Tools for an Inquiry Approach
1. GeoGebra - It’s no secret that I love GeoGebra. Their application of dynamic mathematics software is great for all levels of education. It brings together geometry, algebra, spreadsheets, graphing, statistics and calculus in one easy-to-use package.
2. Ooops App - This “Order of Operations” activity is a fun way to practice the order of math equations and problem solving. This addictive game app sharpens math skills as well as cognitive development and critical thinking for any algebra students. 3. Hands-On Equations - Just like it sounds, this Hands-On app allows you to interact with algebra with games and lessons. Students will have fun with the experience of having success with sophisticated algebraic equations. 4. Attributes by Math Doodles - Discover the joy, wonder, and fun of mathematics through patterns and interactive puzzles while using different parts of your brain. The key to understanding math is understanding patterns. That’s why this app is perfect for exploring math. In a brain-based approach like my own favorite Math Doodle Notes, students get to creatively use both hemispheres of their brain while learning basic and complex concepts. 5. Algebra Touch - Students really get a hands on feel with this app. Using the touchscreen technology you can manipulate algebraic equations, such as isolating variable by dragging X’s and Y’s to either side of the equation. It’s a perfect all levels of algebra, from beginners to advanced. 6. Geometry Pad - For a more advanced geometry student, this app packs tons of benefits. Students and teachers can use it in class for a deeper understanding of geometric concepts. Easily create complex geometric sketches, measure everything you have in a document, and experiment with shapes and transformations. 7. PhET Interactive Simulations: Math - “Beautiful and responsive tools bring light to tricky math concepts.” This free app is great for students and teachers in beginner or advanced math subjects. It includes a draggable “Trig Tour,” an interactive “Function Builder,” curve fitting and graphing apps, and more!
Technology will never fully replace performing math by hand, yet it is a fantastic way to explore mathematical concepts. I hope some of these help build your students understanding of higher-level math concepts! Share your own favorites in the comments area below to help us discover more great apps!
To Read Next:11/26/2016 5 Comments Complete, Free Guide to Teaching Slope
In the inquiry activity, students have to work with a partner with almost no guidance from the teacher to decide how they will order the "steepness" of a variety of ramps and staircases from least steep to steepest.
This challenge will lead them to find a way to assign numerical values to the steepness and make observations from there. It's a perfect way to build the foundation for the concept behind slope.
Here's a peek at what's included. Click here to download the Slope Teaching Guide and get the printables and teaching tips. The only "catch" is that there are a few ads included for related slope resources! :) Enjoy!
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