The teacher in this article had discovered something many math teachers find out. She realized her students lacked the connection of mathematics to the 'real' world. She discovered there was a U.S. Fish and Wildlife organization that let students help them receive data. The teacher used this opportunity to teach an MEA or model-eliciting activity. These activities align with the common core for mathematics when it comes to problem solving. By connecting this math common core activity with a pelican colony research students were interested and engaged in this new math project. Students had to calculate the amount of pelicans in an area of nesting located on a map. Students were allowed time to brainstorm as a large class group and then as individuals. Students decided to use a square grid to calculate the area. When squares were only partially filled, they would cut out that area and move it to fill up a whole square. By using the modeling activity students were able to successfully show their understanding for the common core math standard that requires students to solve math problems related to realistic contexts.
I thought this was a great way to engage the students and get them excited about mathematics. Connecting the animal aspect would make the students want to solve the math problem even more because they can see how math can apply to real world ideas.
Thanks Emma:)
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