Connecting Math to the Real World
The Imagine IT project that I will implement this year will be Connecting Math to the Real World. My idea for this project will focus on identifying how the main concepts in Algebra I connect to the real world. I will implement this scope to my ninth grade Algebra I classes at Carver Military Academy. Carver Military is located on the far south side of Chicago categorized as a JROTC based college preparatory high school. This school primarily serves 50/50 split of African American and Latino students from all levels of socio-economic backgrounds. Specifically, I carry out this project to three levels of students; honors, regular, and diverse learner collaborative team sections. All classes meet daily using a regular 52 minute class period. Freshman receive a Chromebook as part of the school’s initiative to use technology as a vehicle to connect students and teachers to enhance the learning environment.
Students often feel that most higher order math concepts do not connect to anything tangible to their everyday lives. They feel overwhelmed with the processes and accuracy of mathematics and never really discover or see the wonder, beauty or strength of the deep connections of this discipline in their lives. My goal is to reverse the thinking of my students so that they will see the connections throughout this Algebra I course. I want students to complete their freshman year having a better appreciation for my beloved discipline -Mathematics.
I would like my students to experience the following:
Implementation will consist of aligning real life problems to each unit utilizing Algebra I curriculum maps. Cooperative groups will be utilized, creating activities, lessons and opportunities for student exhibiting the Common Core State Standards - Mathematical Practices. While all MP’s will be demonstrated in classes I will be emphasizing the following:
I will utilize the Chromebooks, hands on activities, supplies to display real world problems. I will utilize various resources such as internet generated videos, CPS online resources, student generated pictures and videos to generate real world ideas to the content. In addition there may be an opportunity to use a cross curricular project so that students can connect mathematics to other disciplines.
The pedagogical approach for incorporating my big idea will be the use of authentic teaching. This approach where students are presented with a real life problem and discovering various solutions to that problem. Quarter 1, I will present real life problems from published resources, that are connected to the content. Quarter 2, I will began to find real life problems by recording videos, taking pictures, and videos of current events that present an enduring question or problem that are parallel to the content. Quarter 3 - students can present problems that mirror the content by using any technological outlet ie.. youtube, current TV shows, pictures, pictures, videos. Quarter 4 - students will be solely responsible for presenting in collaborative groups two real life problems that are in line with the end of year content. I will determine the technological requirement at that time.
My goal is to build my students up over the course of the year to transfer their understanding of the concepts and how it is connected to something real and tangible. If student can create two real life problems that are captured using their own technology, identify how it mirrors the current content, and present a viable solution - this will be used as a way to assess my big idea.
Students often feel that most higher order math concepts do not connect to anything tangible to their everyday lives. They feel overwhelmed with the processes and accuracy of mathematics and never really discover or see the wonder, beauty or strength of the deep connections of this discipline in their lives. My goal is to reverse the thinking of my students so that they will see the connections throughout this Algebra I course. I want students to complete their freshman year having a better appreciation for my beloved discipline -Mathematics.
I would like my students to experience the following:
- Application of real life problems to every major unit in Algebra I
- Student generated problem solving, solutions that connect to Algebra concepts
- Student recommended real life problems that can be presented and explored during classes
- Enriched performance based formative assessments using real life problems to math content.
Implementation will consist of aligning real life problems to each unit utilizing Algebra I curriculum maps. Cooperative groups will be utilized, creating activities, lessons and opportunities for student exhibiting the Common Core State Standards - Mathematical Practices. While all MP’s will be demonstrated in classes I will be emphasizing the following:
- MP1 - Make sense of problems and persevere in solving
- MP3 - Constructing viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others
- MP4 - Model the mathematics
I will utilize the Chromebooks, hands on activities, supplies to display real world problems. I will utilize various resources such as internet generated videos, CPS online resources, student generated pictures and videos to generate real world ideas to the content. In addition there may be an opportunity to use a cross curricular project so that students can connect mathematics to other disciplines.
The pedagogical approach for incorporating my big idea will be the use of authentic teaching. This approach where students are presented with a real life problem and discovering various solutions to that problem. Quarter 1, I will present real life problems from published resources, that are connected to the content. Quarter 2, I will began to find real life problems by recording videos, taking pictures, and videos of current events that present an enduring question or problem that are parallel to the content. Quarter 3 - students can present problems that mirror the content by using any technological outlet ie.. youtube, current TV shows, pictures, pictures, videos. Quarter 4 - students will be solely responsible for presenting in collaborative groups two real life problems that are in line with the end of year content. I will determine the technological requirement at that time.
My goal is to build my students up over the course of the year to transfer their understanding of the concepts and how it is connected to something real and tangible. If student can create two real life problems that are captured using their own technology, identify how it mirrors the current content, and present a viable solution - this will be used as a way to assess my big idea.