Project based learning

After looking at trying to engage our students more in Mathematics we have decided to try some project based learning with some of our junior classes. 8D are doing investigations on Perimeter and Circumference. We started by allowing the class to choose a way they could demonstrate individually or as a group their understanding of the concepts.

Our first task was to investigate the perimeter of gardens in the school. Here are some pictures if the class measuring.

Trundle Wheel in action.

Garden Number #1

Garden Number #2

We also went over to the Mt Penang Gardens to investigate measurements that can be made in the real world. We measured the dimensions of thje shapes below and recorded the radius and diameter of the circular shapes.

We also estimated the distance from the classroom to the front entrance of the gardens. While most students were a long way off the actual measurement, when they had to estimate the perimter of the gardens based on the actual distance from the school most students were able to more accurately estimate. Some groups were within 10 metres of the distance found. One estimate was 1 metre away from the measured distance!

 

In our next lesson we then worked out the perimeters and circumferences of the shapes and discussed how to find the perimeter of composite shapes. Here is part of the worksheet we used.

 Here's our class at work on their projects. They are all engaged in planning, constructing and even filming their work.

The boys working on their PowerPoint using photos for their questions.

The girls working on their poster. Nice use of a circle and the connection to pi.

Girls working on constructing their parks using 2D shapes.

Planning out a design for a garden, using the Internet to gain inspiration.

The boys filming their tutorial on how to find the perimeter of a garden.