Multiply Mania: Numbers in Action!

Plan

3rd Grade Project 2 weeks

Multiply Mania: Numbers in Action!

Rachel M

WL.CM1.I

3.5.1

Research Evidence and Point of View K-5.3

2.2.2

WL.CN2.I

+ 5 more

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Purpose

The purpose of this project is to engage 3rd-grade students in a hands-on learning experience where they apply multiplication skills to design and create a community garden model. Through collaboration with peers and guidance from a landscape architect, students will explore real-world applications of math, fostering critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. This project aims to deepen students' understanding of multiplication while enhancing their sense of belonging and identity within their community, culminating in a Garden Fair exhibition where they showcase their work and reflect on their learning journey.

Learning goals

Students will learn to apply multiplication skills to real-world scenarios by designing a community garden layout. They will develop teamwork and communication skills through collaboration and feedback sessions, enhancing their ability to articulate mathematical reasoning. The project will foster self-directed learning as students reflect on their process and adapt their designs based on peer and expert feedback. Additionally, students will gain an understanding of how local producers use resources to create goods, linking mathematics to broader community contexts.

Standards

[California] WL.CM1.I - Intermediate Demonstrate understanding of the main idea and some details on some informal topics related to self and the immediate environment. Demonstrate understanding of sentences and strings of sentences in authentic texts that are spoken, written, or signed.
[California] 3.5.1 - Describe the ways in which local producers have used and are using natural resources, human resources, and capital resources to produce goods and services in the past and the present.
[California] Research Evidence and Point of View K-5.3 - Students distinguish fact from fiction by comparing documentary sources on historical figures and events with fictionalized characters and events.
[California] 2.2.2 - Label from memory a simple map of the North American continent, including the countries, oceans, Great Lakes, major rivers, and mountain ranges. Identify the essential map elements: title, legend, directional indicator, scale, and date.
[California] WL.CN2.I - Intermediate Identify diverse perspectives and distinctive viewpoints on topics related to self and the immediate environment in the target language from age-appropriate authentic materials from the target cultures.

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.
Content Expertise - Students develop key competencies, skills, and dispositions with ample opportunities to apply knowledge and engage in work that matters to them.
Effective Communication - Students practice listening to understand, communicating with empathy, and share their learning through exhibiting, presenting and reflecting on their work.

Products

Students will create a scale model of a community garden using recycled materials, applying multiplication to calculate the number of plants and layout dimensions. They will document their process and outcomes in a digital portfolio, including photos and reflections on their learning. The final product will be presented at a Garden Fair, where students will explain their designs and multiplication calculations to family members and community partners.

Launch

Begin the project with 'Garden Blueprint Day,' where students engage in hands-on learning by using colored tiles to create physical models of garden layouts. This activity will help students practice multiplication to determine the number of tiles needed for each section. The event will spark curiosity and excitement, setting the stage for collaborative problem-solving and creative garden design throughout the project.

Exhibition

Students will showcase their scale models of community gardens at the 'Garden Fair', inviting family members and the landscape architect to view their work. Each student will present their garden layout, explaining the multiplication calculations used to determine plant quantities and layout dimensions. This event will provide an opportunity for students to communicate their learning and reflect on their project experience, fostering a sense of accomplishment and community engagement.