Junior Maths

I have spent considerable time over the winter holiday planning for my year 8 Maths class. In the coming term they will study: central tendency, displaying data, rates, ratios, and gradient.

I was disappointed with their results last term, I felt that the class had really 'gotten' the topic we studied- algebra. I expected a higher pass rate. While I am aware that algebra can be notoriously hard for some to grasp, I was still disappointed, so...

I looked online for inspiration and I came across a Maths mat and other hands on activities. 

Maths Mat

Above is the Maths mat I made from 3x1.8m, 75% shade cloth, and 40m of waterproof fabric tape as per instructions found on Pinterest. Squares are approx. 30x30cm.

I then printed and laminated the cards that I will need, and cut out coloured card to 'colour' each box.

The idea is that students will 'be' the graph by standing in a position that represents them/ the pet the have etc. Secondly, the student can 'make' the graph by placing an icy pole stick as a tally mark instead of them having to stand there for a frequency table. Or perhaps colour in a square with the coloured card for a histogram to again represent their data. Finally the students can 'replicate' the graph by drawing a representation into their books before we move on to more abstract methods such a pure data.

I am incorporating Maths rotations such as I have seen in primary schools to help students understand by doing hands on activities and working in small groups. I have rotations for all topics next term, some to introduce, and some to consolidate knowledge.

I am hoping to get a more permanent grid painted on the school grounds so the students can make graphs outdoors with chalk to label axis etc. This could then be used by all of the Maths teachers, especially with the year 7's arriving at high school in 2015.

I also came across Dan Meyer's Three act Maths lessons on Pinterest and I will use the How much sugar? lesson for ratios as it includes an ugh! factor of sugar packets being eaten. Dan has provided an extensive list of resources designed to engage and get students thinking, well worth checking out.

To celebrate student success I have devised a merit badge system. First term, I had students colour a bar graph (1-10) representing how many answers were correct in the daily quick quiz. Very easy to do, not topic specific. Last term students graphed (1-4) on three to four explicit learning goals, with each value having specific qualities such as: 1. I recognize like terms, 2. I collect and simplify like terms, as found in the Art and Science of Teaching by Marzano. This term I'm trying a simplified graph (pictograph) that represents when the students have mastered a learning goal as so many struggled with the graphing last term and I found it took up too much class time making sure they were colouring the correct boxes, for the correct learning goal.

 Merit ribbon and stickers

I agree wholeheartedly that students should map their learning goals to help ignite intrinsic motivation, it just needs to be in a manner that matches the ability level of students. I will keep trying until I get it right!