For the past two weeks, the first and second grade students have been creating Lego models to apply the practices of mathematical problem solving. As they built snakes and race tracks, the students worked in teams to find creative solutions. The students wrote number sentences, answered multistep problems, and finally built models that represented their answers. Teamwork, problem solving, creativity, and reasoning were just a few of the skills the students applied as they persevered to solve the challenges.
0 Comments
For the next few weeks, the first and second grade students will be working with Legos to apply their mathematical problem solving skills. They will use the Legos to model solutions for solving word problems, understanding number operations, understanding place value, and much more! This first week, the students learned about classroom expectations when using Legos, explored the organizational methods of the Lego bins, and built Lego models that represent their favorite mathematical concepts.
In the STEM Lab the students rarely work individually. As a part of the Leader in Me program, the students refer to this concept as synergizing. This week, the students identified exactly what that concept means to them, and put it into action as they "saved Fred"! In the lab, the students have described synergizing as taking turns, listening to each other, making sure everyone is involved, encouraging each other, making a plan, and being kind. As the students practiced these skills, they synergized to save Fred. Fred is a worm that loves to sail his boat in the ocean. It is important to know that Fred cannot swim, and unfortunately NEVER wears his life vest. One afternoon while Fred was in the middle of the ocean, a wave capsized his boat knocking him into the air. Luckily he landed on the capsized boat, but his life vest was under it! The groups of three had to save Fred using only four paperclips. They were not able to touch or poke a hole through Fred or the vest. Could their team work together well enough to save Fred? It was an exciting time! Some groups were able to save him using the tools, and others saved him using their hands. Thankfully it worked out for Fred in the end!
|
AuthorMrs. Houseman-STEM Specialist Archives
May 2017
|