Looking at Times Tables, Factors and Multiples

 

 

We have been building on our knowledge of multiplication facts by noticing patterns and numbers within other numbers.  In this game we choose cards that have numbers represented in dot patterns.  We have to justify why that number could be part of another number, by explaining how it can be grouped or multiplied to create the larger number, then we cover that number on the game board.  This is helping to build visual representations and to make abstract times tables more concrete.  It takes flexibility of thinking and an ability to justify your reasoning.  These are both skills mathematicians need.

 For example, here we've picked a card that has 5 dots on it.  We can justify putting a counter on anything that has multiples of 5.  So here we could be saying, this can be part of 30, because 6 groups of 5 is 30, or 6x5=30, or that it can be part of 60, because 12 groups of 5 is 60, or 12x5=60.

Exploring Statistical Enquiries

We have begun to delve into the world of statistics in Matariki and Mahutonga, looking at the steps of a statistical investigation and then completing our own.  In the kids own words, Statistics is getting people's ideas about questions and showing it.  

We were introduced to the cycle and the steps:

Explored creating some of the different types of graphs as a class:

Then began organising our own investigation around the group's favourite desserts.  Tamariki had to decide if their questions were opened or closed, figure out how they'd manage their data and then choose a graph to show their findings:  

Here are some of our finished products:

We'll be using these skills to find out more information in the coming weeks! Watch this space!

Algebra - Visual Literacy

We have been working through Algebra Puzzles. We know that accepting challenges and sticking with a problem helps the brain to grow. We have been making our own puzzles!

We came up with a co-constructed success criteria:

Include 4 or 5 pictures
The puzzle needs a good starting point
Make the puzzle 4 or 5 lines
It needs to include some numbers
We need to remember to do the multiplication first

It needs to be simple and clear

We are producing quality work!

Bug Algebra by Kyran

Ocean Algebra by Violet

Why puzzles in Maths?

1. They develop Critical Thinking skills so that you can problem solve in different situations

2. It exercises the brain. Practising these types of puzzles helps the brain to make connections. It helps your brain get used to focusing on a single problem.

3. It will help you to be a more successful Mathematician. You will be able to apply logic to work out Maths problems successfully.

Sarah Flannery, at age of 16, won the Young Scientist of the Year award in Ireland.

This is Sarah talking about Maths and the role her parents played in her own amazing achievements.
“My parents definitely let me see that mathematics was this beautiful subject. I think a lot of people never even hear those two words in the same sentence. So they gave that to me, and they gave me, through these different puzzles, where even I thought I couldn't start out on them, they showed me, no, you have lots of tools, and techniques, and ways to visualise, and get started, and you can do it.”

Ocean Algebra by Alice

Art Supplies Algebra by Olive

Frog Algebra by Henry

Plant Algebra by Kyran

Playtime Algebra by Raife

Sky Algebra by Marcia

Locky's Football Algebra

Our Mathematical Superpowers!

We have been thinking about our Mathematical Superpowers so that we can build our Community of Inquiry. We all have different strengths in Maths. If we collaborate and use our different strengths then we are stronger! We have created our own Maths Justification League...