Embedded Files
State Standards
Professional Groups
Nebraska Association of Teachers of Mathematics https://www.natmathematics.org/
National Counsel of Teachers of Mathematics: https://www.nctm.org/
Anytime you 3D model you are using math. Anytime you do a pattern ...math, finding a formula to measure angles... math. MATH is embedded everywhere and all the time. It is one of those things we can't get away from it is everywhere you look. So let's use that let's use math to help us navigate the world.
This website is a great place to get some inspiration for ideas on how to apply math in the real world. https://momath.org/
I love the idea of gamify-ing math. Think about how you can use Minecraft. You could build a world and have them calculate pieces of the world, you could have them build an object to show understanding. You could tie this to Social Studies and make a society!
NMPDS Nebraska Math Professional Development Series
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/11s6yDJJar5_P1JpXNMYKreDKDIUoBrvs?usp=drive_link
This links to NMPDS (Nebraska Professional Development Series) activities. These activities may need some explaining and some you just had to be there. However, there are some great resources here that I have used over the years and continue to use. Some are great for reviews, some are great games or individual practice. Dr. Neal Grandgenett from the University of Nebraska-Omaha was kind enough to let me share the resources from this series. If you get stuck I will do my best to help you figure out how to implement an activity!
Family Math Book: This is an OLD book but it has so many great math activities that can be cross-curricular. https://archive.org/details/familymath00jean/page/314/mode/2up This link will take you to a free version of the book.
Blueprint Area
Blueprint Area
Using a Cricut my students had the task to make a blueprint for a room. The room was a 4x6 inch area and they had to fit in all the pieces. If I were to do this again I would add constraints or specifics to make it harder. I would definitely make sure they have realistic sizes for instance it appears the TV is bigger than the bed. This is a great opportunity to show the ability to recognize reasonable answers.
Geodesic domes: How do you not only prove but apply the idea of a triangle being the strongest shape? Nebraska has the world's largest indoor desert at the Henry Doorly Zoo. That desert happens to be a geodesic dome. Have your students experiment with a triangle and a square to see which is easier to push over. You can use a 3D printer, laser cutter, or scissors and cardboard to cut poles and joints to build one of their own.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7c/Desert_Dome_Omaha_Zoo.jpg
Tetrahedral Kites are a long-time favorite of my students! This activity takes time. I don't always give a clear set of directions so they have to do a little engineering. There are a lot of tutorials or instructions online but here is one set.
https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/build_a_tetrahedral_kite.pdf
photo courtesy of https://www.flickr.com/photos/randycox/9418045550
Origami Frogs: I love this activity and I do not have time to do this anymore. This lesson was included in the TEAMS program in 2017. The kids get to make, jump, measure, average, make predictions, and learn about form and function, and natural selection. Overall it is a really great tie-in to a variety of activities.
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