Rich Mathematical Tasks for Time Poor Teachers

Sue Campbell & Louisa Linterman

Education for Sustainability

And Mathematics

How would you define a mathematically rich task?References:• Neyland• http://nrich.maths.org• Examples• All the ways to make 24• domino sorting• domino environment• domino tetrads

Digging around for a good idea

A parent has donated a 24 metre length of flexible edging for a raised garden.

Now we can create the garden you wanted.

At the heart of the NZC is the learner

• What is the purpose of building a garden?

• What knowledge will they develop?

• Which curriculum areas could you integrate?

• How do you capitalize on those teachable moments?

Key Competencies

Thinking Using language, symbols and text

Managing Self Relating to Others

Participating and

contributing

What mathematics will be involved?

•Length•Volume & capacity•Weight•Shape•Shorter/longer•Direction of the sun•Temperature•Cost (plants, compost..)•Growth/survival statistics …

What shape could the garden be?

What area can the garden be using the 24 metre length of edging?e.g. 6 x 6 = 36m²

10 x 2 = 20 m²

• What is the smallest garden that can be created?

• What is the biggest garden?

Which garden configuration will be best for the plants and the student gardeners?

Thinking & Reflection

• In collaborative groups discuss your designs and come up with your group’s preferred option.

• Present this as a plan to the class (diagram, sand saucer, equipment/blocks)

• Reach a class consensus on the design that is best for the plants, site & the gardeners (question of the day, statistics).

Getting the dirt on….gardens

• How much soil will need to be purchased?• 40 litre compost bags are on sale? If the

compost is spread on at 20cm – what area will a bag cover?

• What depth of soil will be needed for the plants to thrive?

Rich Learning ExperiencesWhat mathematical opportunities did the creation of

a class garden provide?

How can you capitalize on them?

Ideally at the end of the day the students should be exhausted and the teacher as fresh as a daisy!

Education For SustainabilitySite in development• efs - resources & tools

Digital Tools• How does your garden grow?• Explore the soil• Chemical Reactions• The Array• Design Your Own Park• Why recycle?

Other Starters

• Question of the day

e.g. how much plastic do we bring to school for food & drink breaks?

• Estimate the weight

• Compare this to the volume

• What happens to this plastic when we have finished with it?