5th Grade: Philosophers & Mathematicians

I am long overdue in posting about 5th grade, but have no fear we have been hard at work every Tuesday.  I am excited about some of the work that we have been doing and think you will enjoy our future posts showcasing the kids work.

This second semester the 5th graders have been introduced to many great minds: Thales, Pythagoras, Archimedes, etc.  We discovered that these philosophers were the early mathematicians and scientists because they were the people that dared to ask why and to question accepted truths.  I figured that  I was due for a break from being in charge of teaching all of these math concepts…the studying I have been doing has proved exhausting :). I decided to charge the 5th graders with the responsibility of teaching about the last 4 great minds on my list.  The kids broke into groups and were each assigned a mathematician and/or scientist to learn about.  They were given Newton, Galilee, Napier, and Pascal.  Each group has to come up with an engaging presentation to share biographical information about their person and a hands-on activity to teach one of the concepts their mathematician is known for.

The creativity and passion they have been putting into their projects has been inspiring.  I told the kids that they needed to present and teach in a way they would like to learn.  Apparently I need to add more props and costumes to my teaching.  I have groups creating talk shows, groups using puzzles and games, and much more.  What I have really enjoyed is seeing the kids research the math and science concepts, attempt to figure them out, and think of ways to present them to the class.  One group was showing me Napier’s Bones, an early way to calculate complicated multiplication problems.  Another group has designed a balloon rocket to demonstrate Newton’s law that every action has an opposite and equal reaction.  I know the kids are going to love building those.  I watched another student try to show his teammates how Pascal’s Triangle works.  Awesome thinking is happening here on Tuesdays!  I will post all of the presentations as they are shared with the class, but here are a few images of the kids at work.

Photo Apr 09, 9 05 58 AMWe have also been hard at work on Genius Hour Projects.  We have kids trying to figure out the math behind a magic trick, learn the Arabic language and a little about Islam, how to make cheesecake, making games on Scratch, how to play the National Anthem on the guitar,  and creating a Lego movie using Stop Motion. 

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