Students will engage in a hands-on project to design and budget a small community garden, applying their understanding of volume, fractions, and decimals to real-world scenarios. This experience will foster self-directed learning as students reflect on their progress and collaborate with peers to solve complex problems. By connecting mathematical concepts to a meaningful community project, students will enhance their critical thinking skills and develop a sense of belonging and identity within their community. Assessment will involve students presenting their garden designs and budgets, demonstrating mastery through calculations and visual models. A master example of student work will include a detailed garden layout with accurate volume measurements, fraction calculations for budgeting, and a reflective journal documenting their learning journey.
Learning goals
Students will apply mathematical concepts of volume, fractions, and decimals to design and budget a small community garden, demonstrating mastery through a completed garden design and budget plan. Assessment will involve peer and teacher feedback on project drafts, with students reflecting on their learning process and adjusting their work accordingly. A master example of student work will include a detailed garden layout with calculated volumes, a budget showcasing accurate use of fractions and decimals, and a reflective piece on the impact of their project on the community. Through this process, students will develop self-directed learning skills, critical thinking, and an academic mindset.
Standards
[Common Core] CCSS.Math.Content.5.MD.C.3 - Recognize volume as an attribute of solid figures and understand concepts of volume measurement.
[Common Core] CCSS.Math.Content.5.MD.C.4 - Measure volumes by counting unit cubes, using cubic cm, cubic in, cubic ft, and improvised units.
[Common Core] CCSS.Math.Content.5.MD.C.5 - Relate volume to the operations of multiplication and addition and solve real world and mathematical problems involving volume.
[Common Core] CCSS.Math.Content.5.NF.A.1 - Add and subtract fractions with unlike denominators (including mixed numbers) by replacing given fractions with equivalent fractions in such a way as to produce an equivalent sum or difference of fractions with like denominators.
[Common Core] CCSS.Math.Content.5.NF.A.2 - Solve word problems involving addition and subtraction of fractions referring to the same whole, including cases of unlike denominators, e.g., by using visual fraction models or equations to represent the problem. Use benchmark fractions and number sense of fractions to estimate mentally and assess the reasonableness of answers.
[Common Core] CCSS.Math.Content.5.NF.B.3 - Interpret a fraction as division of the numerator by the denominator (a/b = a ÷ b). Solve word problems involving division of whole numbers leading to answers in the form of fractions or mixed numbers, e.g., by using visual fraction models or equations to represent the problem.
[Common Core] CCSS.Math.Content.5.OA.A.2 - Write simple expressions that record calculations with numbers, and interpret numerical expressions without evaluating them.
[Common Core] CCSS.Math.Content.5.NBT.B.7 - Add, subtract, multiply, and divide decimals to hundredths, using concrete models or drawings and strategies based on place value, properties of operations, and/or the relationship between addition and subtraction; relate the strategy to a written method and explain the reasoning used.
Competencies
Self Directed Learning - Students use teacher and peer feedback and self-reflection to monitor and direct their own learning while building self knowledge both in and out of the classroom.
Academic Mindset - Students establish a sense of place, identity, and belonging to increase self-efficacy while engaging in critical reflection and action.
Critical Thinking & Problem Solving - Students consider a variety of innovative approaches to address and understand complex questions that are authentic and important to their communities.
Products
Students will collaboratively design and create a scaled model of a community garden, incorporating calculations of volume, fractions, and decimals. They will develop a detailed budget plan for the garden, using their understanding of money and mathematical operations. Throughout the project, students will document their process in a digital portfolio, showcasing their problem-solving strategies, reflections, and learning progress. Assessment will include peer and teacher reviews of the digital portfolio, focusing on accuracy in calculations and depth of reflection. A master example of student work will feature a comprehensive garden model, a precise budget plan, and insightful reflections shared with peers and community members.
Launch
Begin the project with a visit to a local community garden or a virtual tour of a renowned urban garden. Encourage students to observe and take notes on the different plants, their arrangements, and the garden's layout. Facilitate a discussion on how the garden's design might involve mathematical concepts such as volume for raised beds, fractions for dividing planting areas, and decimals for budgeting resources. Assessment will focus on students' ability to apply these concepts in their garden design, with a master example showcasing a detailed plan that includes accurate calculations, a budget breakdown, and a reflection on the learning process. This experience will spark curiosity and provide a real-world context for the mathematical skills they will apply in designing their own garden.
Exhibition
Students will create a detailed presentation of their community garden design, showcasing their calculations for volume, fractions, and decimals in budgeting and planning. They will host a "Garden Expo" where they present their models, using visual aids and digital tools to explain their mathematical reasoning and decision-making process. Peers, teachers, and community members will be invited to provide feedback and ask questions, fostering a collaborative and reflective learning environment. Assessment will focus on the accuracy of calculations, creativity in design, and clarity in presentation. A master example of student work will include a comprehensive garden model with precise measurements, a budget breakdown using fractions and decimals, and a well-articulated explanation of their process and choices.
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