Numeracy Resource Teacher, Mark Aizenburg, supported by Student Leadership Council members, organized a school-wide Family Math Activities Day at Biidaaban on March 26, for the first time!
Parents and Caregivers were invited into the classroom to participate in group projects involving:
- idea/concept development
- construction design
- feasibility and functionality testing of the design style
- collaboration and creating structure elements together
Students and Guardians attempted to construct a three-dimensional, free-standing structure in Ms. Kate Abitong’s Grade 1 class, while bridge construction took place in Mr. Jason Solomon’s Grade 4 class. Participants rolled newspapers held together with masking tape, in varying levels of compactness, to use as building materials for the structures. Popsicle sticks and adhesives were used in bridge construction projects.
The structures were put to the test and modified as needed, helping students to learn a number of important mathematical concepts as they apply to everyday life. They also activated their sense of resourcefulness by utilizing only the tools available to them and their own ingenuity.
While mathematics was the lesson of the day, students also worked on collaboration skills, by working with community members, Guardians, and fellow classmates, along with observation and engineering skills. Working together builds self-confidence and an exchange of knowledge between parent/caregiver/peers builds relationships, teamwork, and trust.
It was a fun and informative exercise, and some interesting structures and bridges were the result of bringing all of these components into the equation. Students had an opportunity throughout the week to visit an Estimation Station (guess how many mini chocolate bars were in the container) in their classroom, and the station was positioned at the school’s entrance for visitors to also enter the contest. An alternate contest was held where students were challenged to see who could make the most math equations using the numbers 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1; digits must remain in that order, and use arithmetic symbols in between (plus, minus, multiply, divide) to create the numbers 1 to 40. Prizes were awarded to the winning individuals.
Miigwech, Mr. Aizenburg and Student Leadership Council, for bringing everyone and everything together for this fun day of learning; exploring Math in a new and interactive way.