Connection / Welcome to _____ Grade! I am excited that we will be learning and growing together this year in math. Today we are going to talk about places that we find math, and how we are all mathematicians.
** Prior to this lesson, the teacher may want to gather pictures, short video clips, etc. of “math” taking place in the “real world”. The teacher may also consider pulling some Children’s Literature that has some “math” examples or “mathematician” characters**
Teach / Today I am going to show you some “math situations” and we are going to brainstorm ways that we are “mathematicians”. I am also going to let you practice being a “mathematician”
After showing some examples of “math/mathematicians,” the teacher will model thinking aloud his/her own thoughts about where we see “math” in the real world, and how we use math daily. For example, the teacher might say, “I am a mathematician every day when I cook dinner for my family. I have to buy groceries, and measure ingredients when following a recipe. Sometimes I have to adjust measurements to make sure I have enough food for my family.”
Prior to the lesson, you may decide to create a Kid Friendly Chart that has the Standards for Mathematical Practice on them. We will be visiting/ using language from them throughout the 1stFive Days of Math Workshop and throughout the school year. Note Standards 1-6 should be evident in every lesson, so you will benefit from familiarizing your students with the language of these standards.
Active Engagement / Now it is your turn to think of ways that you use math in your own life. You may also think of ways that you have seen your friends and family use math, or how they are “mathematicians”. Also think of jobs and careers that you are interested in, and how that job will use math.
Give students a moment to brainstorm. Then allow the students to “Turn and Talk” (If you are planning to assign partners, you need to do this prior to the lesson)
Once partners have had time to share, create a chart that records some of the student ideas.
Link / Today and every day, I want you to come into the math workshop as a “Mathematician”. I want you to begin exploring the math that you see around you, and get excited when you see opportunities to be a mathematician!
At this point, you may want to give the students a “Real World” type problem to think about, or consider giving them the Unit 1 Three Act Task for 4th and 5th Graders (time permitting). Regardless, you want them to have a chance to be a “mathematician” in a “real world” situation.
Watch for:
-As students are working independently, take time to observe student behaviors.
- Which students seem confident in “diving” into the math?
- Which students seem reluctant?
-As students are interacting with one another, take note of mathematical language that they may or may not be using, and note if they are using the language in the correct context.
Share Time:The last 5-7 minutes of the Math Workshop time should be devoted to some type of “Sharing”. This can vary daily, but is an important part of wrapping up the math time. It is a great time for teachers to observe questions that may be asked during this time, and to assess the comfort level of the students in terms of what might happen the following day.
*Thank you to Allison Funk & Keri Smith, Instructional Coaches at Lyman Hall Elementary for their hard work on developing these lessons.