Mighty Math is not your typical math class! There are so many fun ways to explore math and unfortunately, due to the demands of the powers that be, that traditional school curriculum doesn't usually have time to delve in to these fun topics. Maybe that's why so many kids get turned off from math.....Math is all about making sense of patterns and that is one of the goals of Mighty Math!
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| An all time favorite note from a Mighty Math student |
The second session of AA 2013 gave me the opportunity to teach Mighty Math for the fourth time. I have enjoyed each session more and more. Though some activities stay the same, I'm always looking for new ones or ways to improve the old ones!
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| Fibonacci Numbers in apples! |
The Golden Spiral is always fun when we work with Fibonacci.
Students show off their Mighty Math books on the last day of Session 1.
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| There is so much art in math! |
Second period class on the last day of Session 1
Math with Cheez-Its....The best way to teach about perfect squares. This is one of the all time favorite Mighty Math activities.
And then there's that funny number....the one that never ends...yet can be found in any circle when you divide circumference by diameter.....
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| There it is! Pi!! |
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| Could it be?....Pi?! |
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| More pi!! |
Where can you find more art in math than in a fractal?!
The fractal card cutout was new to Mighty Math in 2013! It was a total hit! Kids LOVED it. (Thank you "fractivities" at fractalfoundation.org )
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| Working diligently and artistically |
Another new activity this time around! Fibonacci...in pine cones!!
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| Students painted spirals on pine cones in search of Fibonacci numbers |
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| Yes, Fibonacci IS awesome! |
This was a new "fractivity" this session and it was a total hit. I'll be packing mini marshmallows next year in my suitcase so I don't have to make my own mini marshmallows from the regular sized ones! Kids build a fractal tetrahedron from marshmallows and toothpicks. Check out their work below!
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| The fractal: The repeating pattern |
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| Putting it all together took a lot of focus |
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| They LOVED it! |
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| Looking through the fractal tetrahedron |
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| Et Voila!! |
Yes, there is still some structural work to be done...I think mini marshmallows will work better next time around!
Like I said, we have a blast in Mighty Math!
...and kids even learn...to find the fun in math!!
