Fraction Frenzy: Gold Rush Garden Geniuses!

4th Grade

Project
4 weeks

Fraction Frenzy: Gold Rush Garden Geniuses!

Bradley Hutchinson (DO)

Purpose

Students will collaborate with local community partners in San Diego to design a community garden that integrates fractions, specifically halves and fourths, into its layout. Through this project, students will learn to add fractions while applying their math skills to real-world contexts, promoting healthy eating and mathematical understanding. The challenge question guides students to explore how fractions can be used creatively in garden design, fostering problem-solving and teamwork. An observation checklist will be used to assess students' collaboration and problem-solving abilities throughout the project.

Learning goals

Students will learn to add fractions with halves and fourths through designing a community garden in collaboration with local partners in San Diego. They will apply math skills to real-world scenarios by calculating garden plots and incorporating fractional measurements into the design. The project will enhance their understanding of fractions while fostering teamwork and problem-solving abilities. Students will also develop an appreciation for healthy eating as they integrate educational components into the garden design to teach others.

Standards

Common Core - CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.4.NF.B.3.A: Understand addition and subtraction of fractions as joining and separating parts referring to the same whole.
Common Core - CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.4.NF.B.3.C: Add and subtract mixed numbers with like denominators, e.g., by replacing each mixed number with an equivalent fraction, and/or by using properties of operations and the relationship between addition and subtraction.
Common Core - CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.4.NF.B.4.C: Solve word problems involving multiplication of a fraction by a whole number, using visual fraction models and equations to represent the problem.

Products

Students will collaboratively design and create a scale model of a community garden using fractions, specifically halves and fourths, to plan the layout of garden plots. They will work with community partners to gather insights and incorporate feedback into their designs, ensuring the garden is both functional and educational. By the end of the project, students will present their garden models and a written proposal detailing how the garden can be used to teach healthy eating and math skills to the community.

Launch

Kick off the project with a visit to a local community garden in San Diego, where students can explore how fractions are used in real-world garden planning. Engage them in a hands-on activity where they measure and mark out garden plots using halves and fourths, guided by a community partner. This immersive experience will spark curiosity and provide a tangible context for their project, setting the stage for designing their own fraction-based garden plan.

Exhibition

Students will host a community garden showcase, inviting local partners and families to explore the garden designed using fractions. During the event, students will present their garden plots, explaining how they incorporated halves and fourths into the layout. Attendees can participate in interactive activities, such as planting seeds in fractioned sections, to learn about healthy eating and math skills. Students will use the observation checklist to reflect on their collaboration and problem-solving throughout the project, sharing insights during the showcase.

Week 1	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Discover: Garden Exploration - Visit a local community garden in San Diego to observe how fractions are used in garden planning, guided by a community partner. (30 min) Discover: Initial Reflections - In a circle, discuss initial observations and insights from the garden visit, sharing personal connections to fractions and healthy eating. (15 min)	Discover: Fraction Hunt - Participate in a scavenger hunt at the garden, identifying and measuring garden plots using halves and fourths. (25 min) Discover: Data Collection - Record measurements and observations from the fraction hunt, discussing how fractions are integrated into garden design. (20 min)	Examine: Question Generation - Brainstorm questions about using fractions in garden design and potential solutions to integrate them creatively. (20 min) Examine: Research & Reading - Read articles and watch videos about fractions in real-world applications, focusing on garden layouts. (25 min)	Examine: Criteria Development - In teams, discuss and identify criteria for a successful garden design incorporating fractions, considering factors like functionality and educational value. (25 min) Examine: Solution Brainstorming - Generate ideas for garden designs using halves and fourths, evaluating them against established criteria. (20 min)	Engineer: Hypothesis Development - Formulate hypotheses predicting outcomes of selected garden design ideas, using evidence from research. (20 min) Engineer: Planning Session - Begin drafting detailed plans for the garden design, outlining steps to build, test, and refine the layout using fractions. (25 min)
Deliverables	1. Initial garden plot sketches on graph paper, highlighting the use of halves and fourths.
Preparation	1. Coordinate with a local community garden in San Diego for a visit on Day 1. 2. Gather materials for measuring and marking garden plots: ropes, stakes, measuring tapes. 3. Prepare fraction circles and other visual aids for the Day 3 math workshop. 4. Provide graph paper and sketching materials for students to design their garden plots. 5. Develop an observation checklist to assess student collaboration and problem-solving skills.

Week 2	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Discover Phase: Exploring Community Needs - Students meet with local community partners in San Diego to discuss the community's needs and gather insights on how the garden can promote healthy eating and math skills (45 min)	Discover Phase: Data Collection and Reflection - Working in teams, students collect data on the community garden's current layout and reflect on how fractions can be applied through hands-on activities guided by community partners (45 min)	Examine Phase: Generating Questions - Students generate questions about the challenge and potential solutions, focusing on how fractions can be used in garden design (15 min) Examine Phase: Research and Investigation - Students read relevant texts and watch videos to build background knowledge on garden design and the use of fractions in planning (30 min)	Examine Phase: Criteria for Success - Teams discuss and determine criteria for a successful garden design, including fractional measurements, community impact, and educational value (20 min) Examine Phase: Brainstorming Solutions - Students brainstorm potential garden designs incorporating halves and fourths, evaluating each idea against the established criteria (25 min)	Engineer Phase: Developing a Hypothesis - Each team creates a hypothesis for their proposed garden design, predicting how it will meet the community's needs using fractions (15 min) Engineer Phase: Planning and Feedback - Students create a detailed plan for their garden design and present it to another team for T.A.G. Feedback to refine their approach (30 min)
Deliverables	1. Collaborative garden plot design draft using fractions (halves and fourths) 2. Reflection journal entry on teamwork and problem-solving experiences
Preparation	1. Gather materials for garden plot design, including graph paper, rulers, and colored pencils 2. Coordinate a virtual Q&A session with a local community garden expert in San Diego for student insights 3. Prepare a visual fraction model toolkit to aid students in understanding and visualizing fractional divisions 4. Set up a classroom discussion space, either physical or digital, for students to share design ideas and receive peer feedback 5. Develop an observation checklist template for students to self-assess and peer-assess collaboration and problem-solving skills

Week 3	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Engineer: Hypothesis Formulation - Develop a hypothesis for the garden design, predicting how incorporating halves and fourths will optimize space and functionality. (20 min) Engineer: Detailed Planning - Create a step-by-step plan outlining the design and construction process of the garden using fractions, incorporating community partner feedback. (25 min)	Engineer: Peer Feedback Session - Present the garden design plan to another team for T.A.G. Feedback to refine and enhance the approach. (25 min) Engineer: Plan Refinement - Use feedback to make necessary adjustments to the garden design plan, ensuring alignment with project criteria and goals. (20 min)	Do: Build and Test - Begin constructing a scale model of the community garden, using materials to represent fractional plots and testing layout effectiveness. (45 min)	Do: Data Collection Strategy - Develop a plan to gather data on the effectiveness of the garden design, determining specific metrics and collection methods. (20 min) Do: Model Refinement - Based on initial testing and data, make improvements to the garden model to better integrate fractions and enhance educational components. (25 min)	Do: Data Analysis - Analyze collected data to evaluate the success of the garden design in incorporating fractions and meeting community needs. (25 min) Do: Team Reflection - Discuss the findings as a team, exploring insights gained from the data and considering implications for the final presentation. (20 min)
Deliverables	1. A blueprint of the garden design with fractional measurements clearly labeled. 2. A scale model of the garden, accurately depicting the fractional layout.
Preparation	1. Gather materials for scale models including cardboard, scissors, rulers, colored paper, glue, and markers. 2. Coordinate with the community partner to receive feedback and insights on sustainable gardening practices. 3. Prepare fraction addition problem sets for students to practice adding halves and fourths before applying them to their designs. 4. Set up a workspace with ample room for groups to lay out their designs and construct models.

Week 4	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Do: Implement Garden Design - Execute the final garden layout using fractions, planting seeds according to the planned design and documenting the process. (45 min)	Do: Data Collection and Analysis - Collect data on the growth and layout effectiveness, analyzing how well the fractional design meets educational and healthy eating goals. (45 min)	Share: Presentation Preparation - Collaboratively build a presentation highlighting the project journey, emphasizing the use of fractions in garden design. (30 min) Share: Rehearsal with Feedback - Practice the presentation and gather T.A.G. Feedback from peers to refine delivery and content. (15 min)	Share: Final Presentation - Present the garden design and its educational impact to community partners, families, and peers, responding to audience questions. (30 min) Share: Individual Reflection - Engage in one-on-one discussions with panelists to reflect on personal growth and learning throughout the project. (15 min)	Share: Celebration and Reflection Circle - Participate in a closing circle to celebrate accomplishments, share insights, and reflect on the project journey as changemakers. (30 min) Share: Experience Survey - Complete a survey to provide feedback on the project experience and suggest improvements. (15 min)
Deliverables	1. Finalized and polished scale model of the community garden, incorporating any adjustments based on feedback. 2. A written proposal detailing how the garden teaches healthy eating and math skills, with specific references to fractions. 3. Prepared presentation and interactive stations for the showcase event.
Preparation	1. Gather materials for the interactive stations, such as seeds, soil, and pots, marked with fraction labels. 2. Ensure availability of presentation tools, such as projectors, posters, or digital slides. 3. Coordinate with community partners to confirm their attendance and involvement in the showcase. 4. Set up the venue for the showcase, arranging space for both presentations and interactive activities. 5. Prepare observation checklists to assess students' collaboration and problem-solving during the showcase.