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Personal Learning Path 1

 Personal Learning Path Post 1


One issue that I find students in middle school struggle with is finding the area, perimeter, and volume of a shape (such as a rectangle or square box). The project that I would like to implement in my classroom is based off of a project that I did myself in middle school. 


Step 1 save a box of any size (ex. Shoe box, cereal box, etc. 

Step 2. Students will then use a ruler to measure each side of the box and fill in the chart 



Measurement 

Size (in inches) 

Length 


Width


Height 



Step 3. Students will complete the formula for each of the measurements 

Square: 

Perimeter = 4 side 

Area = length x width 

Volume = length x width x height 


Rectangle 

Perimeter = 2Length + 2Width 

                Area = length x width 

Volume = length x width x height 


Step 4. Students will decorate their box in any way they choose to tell the class something about themselves. 


Step 5 . Students will put their measurements along each of the sides (length, width, height) , their area will be displayed inside the box, and the surface area of each side on the middle of the sides. 


Reflection

I chose to use this project as my first Personal Learning Path because it is adapted from a project that I did myself when I was in school. I remembered doing this project and how much I enjoyed being able to create something and use my hands during a math class. For the Personal Learning Path I included the chart and formulas for students to fill out as a scaffold for them to work on their projects. They can take it step by step and fill out first the chart with their measurements, then find the values of the perimeter, area, and volume using the formulas. Finally they can decorate their boxes and mark their measurements in the appropriate places. I always found it much easier to understand mathematical concepts and to focus in class when I could physically see what the teacher was trying to show me. I would like to implement projects and hands on learned for students in my math class.


Comments

  1. Professor BromleyMay 13, 2021 at 4:32 PM

    This is something students certainly struggle with, starting as early as 4th grade, but yes, even into middle school. Two things to make this post richer: pictures of "actual" boxes used, and either your work or students' work to show what is required to accomplish the task (just one would be appropriate for this blog, you don't need the whole project you describe). Also, in future posts be sure to reference the standards your task/lesson/activity exemplify. In this case: 4.MD.3; 5.MD.3a; 5.MD.3b; 5.MD.4; 5.MD.5a; 6.G.2; 6.G.4.

    Thank you for making a wonderful first entry! This alone could start a path many can follow, if they choose.

    ReplyDelete

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