UPDATE (12/5/13 at 9:18 PM)
Here is the doc that I'm hoping to use for the activity. Interested in adding your thoughts? Please do!
Here is the doc that I'm hoping to use for the activity. Interested in adding your thoughts? Please do!
Just yesterday, students were hanging out in my room after school, getting help with finding the area and perimeter of polygons. We were working, er, scratch that: we were frustrated, trying to find the area and perimeter of each. Then, the moment came. You know the moment...
"When am I EVERRRRRR going to need to know this?!"
Oh boy. How is this going to go? I was contemplating the bodybuilding approach, a la Matt Vaudrey, but figured my early December physique didn't quite match up with something you'd want to see. I opted for the "it will teach you to persevere through problems you don't have a magic formula for and will provide your brain with a nice little workout". In hindsight, that answer was awful, so I've been busy finding an alternative.
This week, each group will be responsible for finding the square mileage for each high school's zone in our district. From there, we will discuss why some schools have larger zones than others. It sounds fun to a math nerd, but I need help. How can I make this better? More relevant? Do I:
"When am I EVERRRRRR going to need to know this?!"
Oh boy. How is this going to go? I was contemplating the bodybuilding approach, a la Matt Vaudrey, but figured my early December physique didn't quite match up with something you'd want to see. I opted for the "it will teach you to persevere through problems you don't have a magic formula for and will provide your brain with a nice little workout". In hindsight, that answer was awful, so I've been busy finding an alternative.
This week, each group will be responsible for finding the square mileage for each high school's zone in our district. From there, we will discuss why some schools have larger zones than others. It sounds fun to a math nerd, but I need help. How can I make this better? More relevant? Do I:
- Find video somewhere?
- Bring in a construction supervisor?
- Talk about population density?
- Scrap it all?
These guys look great at their job, but would they be interesting to high schoolers ready for Winter Break?
So here's what I have as of right now. Any comments would be greatly appreciated!
UPDATES (12/5/13 at 8:45 PM)
So I put this post out onto the twitters and got some good feedback to improve it. Here are some of the favorites:
So I put this post out onto the twitters and got some good feedback to improve it. Here are some of the favorites:
@Jstevens009 The students asked "Why is this important?" Are there schools w/in zone thought to be"better" or "worse" than others? Why?
— Hsquared Studio (@Hsquared_Studio) December 4, 2013
@Jstevens009 A host of mathematical equations which could answer the "why..." Press Release: Dpt of City Planning http://t.co/CPb5mvQTpq
— Hsquared Studio (@Hsquared_Studio) December 4, 2013
From Matt Vaudrey:
--Our football team has less people to choose from in a smaller area
--Schools get money based on students served
--We should join with an adjacent district and rule the county
If there's a reason, then you can drop a writing prompt in there, too.
"Write a letter to the principal explaining why we should or shouldn't merge with Chaffey USD to become a Basketball superpower in the Inland Empire."
From John Berray:
I did this! The problem was trying to superimpose the grid.
I'd find out from the district THEIR measurements and perhaps HOW they calculated those numbers. This way there'll be the anticipated Act 3 of the reveal. Surely some number cruncher has those stats if you inquire enough. Excited to hear how it goes.
Happy Fishing
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