Mr Os Math Group
Mr Os Math Group

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Mr Os Math Group

Math Groups—2010

At each session we will explore and focus on a different math strand. A strand is a specific area of mathematics. As defined by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, of which I am a member (www.nctm.org ), the five strands are:

  1. Number Sense and Operations
  2. Geometry
  3. Measurement
  4. Patterns, Relations and Algebra
  5. Data Analysis, Statistics and Probability

Each session begins with a 10–15 minute warm-up activity, many of which your child will be able to do at home after I introduce the activity to them. A few of these activities are: Set, 24, Build-a-Number, Find Five, Pente, Tic-Tac, and more! The main activities will be focused around one of the math strands. The activities are centered on building knowledge to be able to answer the essential questions that I will pose to the children. Here are some highlights.

Note: The Math Groups are based on the Math Circles idea created by Robert and Ellen Kaplan, both of whom teach at Harvard. I encourage you to visit their website at www.themathcircle.org.

For Children Entering Second/Third Grades

  1. Number Sense/Operations Essential Questions—What is multiplication? How is it connected to addition? We will explore multiplication through one of my favorite activities, Circles and Stars
  2. Geometry Essential Questions–How can you tell if a shape is congruent with another? Why do we classify polygons the way we do? We will explore congruence, symmetry, rotation, and more through the activity, The Four-Triangle Challenge
  3. Data Analysis/Probability Essential Questions–How likely is a given outcome? Are all outcomes equally likely? Why/Why not? We will explore probability by rolling dice, tossing cups, and recording/analyzing our data
  4. Measurement/Geometry Essential Questions–What shape is the strongest to build with? Why is it the strongest? We will build a tower 3’ tall with K’NEX that can support at least 10 lbs. We will build the towers using different shapes and analyze which is the strongest

For Children Entering Fourth—Sixth Grades

  1. Measurement Essential Questions—What is the relationship between area and perimeter? Can the perimeter change if the area stays the same? If so, why? We will explore these questions through Pentominoes
  2. Geometry Essential Questions—What are the types of triangles? What is unique about triangles? What is the Pythagorean Theorum and why does it work? We will use the knowledge of squaring numbers to explore finding the area and perimeter of triangles (and transfer this knowledge to other polygons) through the activities such as Name That Space and Build that Square
  3. Probability/Data Analysis Essential Questions—Why is the combination seven the most likely outcome when rolling two dice? How can we prove this? We will explore these questions through the activity Come On Seven. We will then display the results in circle graphs using fractions, decimals, and percent equivalents
  4. Number Sense and Operation — What is a composite number? What is an abundant number? What are deficient numbers? We will explore these questions as we hunt for them in the activity the Sieve of Eratosthenes!

The fee for all grade levels is $150.00 per session. See the schedule page for session length and days.