1-Pager
All grades  Lesson 45 minutes

Math Quest: Unlocking 7th Grade Mysteries!

Diego R
CCSS.Math.Content.7.NS.A.3
CCSS.Math.Content.7.G.B.6
CCSS.Math.Content.7.EE.A.2
Critical Thinking & Problem Solving
Effective Communication
1-pager

Purpose

In this 7th-grade math lesson, students will engage in project-based learning to understand and solve real-world problems relevant to their community. They will use mathematical reasoning to address urban development challenges by collaborating with the City Planning Office. This hands-on experience will allow students to explore areas, volumes, and rational numbers practically, creating proposals for a community park. Through this process, students will refine their critical thinking and effective communication skills, presenting their findings and solutions to community stakeholders.

Learning goals

Students will develop the skills to solve real-world problems using rational numbers, including understanding and applying percentages, proportions, and ratios. Through collaboration with the City Planning Office, students will engage in project-based learning to understand mathematical applications in urban development, such as calculating land usage and population density. Students will enhance their critical thinking and communication skills by presenting their community park proposals, fostering an understanding of how mathematics informs and impacts community planning decisions.

Standards
  • [Common Core] CCSS.Math.Content.7.NS.A.3 - Solve real-world and mathematical problems involving the four operations with rational numbers.
  • [Common Core] CCSS.Math.Content.7.G.B.6 - Solve real-world and mathematical problems involving area, volume and surface area of two- and three-dimensional objects composed of triangles, quadrilaterals, polygons, cubes, and right prisms.
  • [Common Core] CCSS.Math.Content.7.EE.A.2 - Understand that rewriting an expression in different forms in a problem context can shed light on the problem and how the quantities in it are related.
Competencies
  • 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.
  • 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 collaboratively design and construct a scale model of a community park that incorporates mathematical concepts related to area, volume, and surface area. They will generate a detailed report on their calculations for land usage percentages and population density, showcasing their reasoning and problem-solving skills. Finally, students will present their park proposals to city planners, demonstrating effective communication and critical thinking while considering real-world applications of seventh-grade math concepts.

Launch

Kick off the lesson with a collaborative role-play activity where students act as city planners faced with the challenge of designing a community park. Provide a real-world scenario requiring them to use mathematical reasoning to calculate area and surface area, percentages for land use, and proportions for layout design. Invite a representative from the City Planning Office to offer insights and feedback to enrich the students' understanding of how math applies to urban development and community needs.

Exhibition

At the conclusion of this project-based learning experience, students will present their proposals and models for a community park to local city planners and members of the community. This exhibition involves students articulating their mathematical reasoning and problem-solving strategies, demonstrating their understanding of land usage percentages, population density calculations, and other relevant numerical operations. Through interactive presentations and displays, students will engage with the audience by explaining the real-world implications of their mathematical work and receiving constructive feedback, allowing for reflection and refinement of their projects.