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Personal Learning Path Post 11

 For this post I wanted to focus on a resource that could allow students to do two things: get outside (especially if it is being implemented during this beautiful summer weather) and to have some active time where they are not expected to sit still at a desk. The more time I spend teaching, the more I recognize how important it is for students to be able to move and physically interact with what they are learning. This idea is from Fun Math Games: Plot Graph Scavenger Hunt - Edventures with Kids (kcedventures.com) 

This activity aligns with the standards: NY-5.G.1 Use a pair of perpendicular number lines, called axes, to define a coordinate system, with the intersection of the lines (the origin) arranged to coincide with the 0 on each line and a given point in the plane located by using an ordered pair of numbers, called its coordinates. Understand that the first number indicates how far to travel from the origin in the direction of one axis, and the second number indicates how far to travel in the direction of the second axis, with the convention that the names of the two axes and the coordinates correspond. e.g., x-axis and x-coordinate, y-axis and y-coordinate

For this activity students can be given either: a map of the area (park, playground, etc.) that they will be exploring, or a coordinate plane on paper. Students will be instructed to find the coordinates placed throughout the playground and to either fill in the map according to the coordinates, or fill in the coordinates according to the map. 

Students will be able to explore and find the coordinates placed around the park or playground 


They can then complete the coordinate plane by filling in the coordinates or drawing their surroundings. 


Students will be able to see how their lesson is implemented in real life.


Reflection

I thought this was a great way for students to be active and to enforce the skills that they learned in class. It does require a strong understanding of the concepts of coordinate planes, but if implemented correctly should give students a really memorable way to full understand and comprehend the lesson. One challenge would be either having an appropriate place for students to explore. If students are in an urban community they may not have a large enough playground. A park could be used but it is necessary to make sure that there is appropriate adult supervision for the group of students. Overall, I think this is a really creative and unique way for students to actually be able to see their lessons used in the real world and to think critically about what they have learned in class. 

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