Spring SAVY 2017, Day 4- Awesome Algebra
Patterns, equations, and careers, oh my! Our mathematicians jumped in today with both feet. Though reluctant to admit it, these friends experienced some challenging learning today. Mistakes lead to growth, and I could see the synapses firing in their brains today! We talked about growth mindsets in mathematics today by opening with a number talk and video clip by Stanford Professor and researcher Jo Boaler. She suggests that there is no such thing as a “math person,” but rather our hippocampus grows as we learn new things. I encourage you to check out her research for more information.
https://www.youcubed.org/mathematical-mindsets/
We continued learning how to solve equations using the hands-on equations program to explore the concept of balance. We learned our first legal move in whole group, and we practiced independently with our table partners. This was a struggle for many, but they persevered! In small groups, we rotated through stations where we worked on adding some careers who use algebra to our booklets, met with Ms. Madeline to build Cuisenaire rod mazes and write equations, and met with me for more instruction on the balance scale. Some groups moved on to the second legal move, which we will be practicing more next week.
This week at home, please begin talking more to your students about the use of algebra in the real world and careers around them. Ask them to share about the careers we’ve already added to our books. If you know what careers fascinate your child, talk to them about how that career might use patterns, balance, or solving for unknowns in that job environment. Talk to them about how you use it in yours. Many were excited to share about their parents’ jobs today as we discussed architecture, engineering, and health/fitness coaching! In our final session together on week 6, we will be presenting some of these ideas to all of you. I look forward to seeing how that unfolds. Have an awesome algebra week!
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