Self-Differentiation via Math Projects

by Mimi YangMYP and IB Math Teacher

BBIS Math Department Chairpresented at AGIS 2013

mimi.yang@bbis.dehttp://untilnextstop.blogspot.com

Imagine “Kevin”…

Weak math skills

Low effort

“Has potential”

Busy parents

“I don’t like math”

Very social / chatty / active

Reaching these learners requires different strategies.

Obstacles in teaching math to kids like “Kevin”:

• Student motivation

• Accessibility of abstract topics

• Retention of knowledge

• Negative history with math

What are some strategies that you use in order to connect kids like

this to mathematics?

Projects as part of the solution

Why do projects?

• Turn abstract to concrete

• Peer motivation

• Develop self-monitoring

• “Repackage” old concepts

This change in strategy will benefit all students in your classroom!

Self-differentiation via Projects Inspiration:

Renaissance project from an Art class

Student defines own project

Student writes reflectively about learning process

Common theme for class

The Question:

Is math really that different from art?

Project Framework

Role of the Teacher

Example Projects

Bits of Advice

Go back to project framework

Role of the Teacher• Creative vision• Provide written guidelines• Supervise pacing and skills development• On-going feedback• Demand excellence • Create opportunities to present work

Example Projects

3-D Geometric Construction

Student-Made Review Material

Hole-in-One Minigolf

Math Pop-Up Book

Building a Picturewith Functions

Tessellations and Construction

Math Magazine

Trigonometry in the Real World

GeoGebra Animation with Trigonometry

Business Plan

Stocks Analysis

Creating a Visually Pattern

Go back to project framework

3-D Geometric Constructionvolume and surface areahttp://bit.ly/3DProjSpecs

Go back to example projects

Math Pop-Up Bookto promote student writing and practice

http://bit.ly/PopUpProj

Go back to example projects

Math Magazine

http://bit.ly/GoFigure1

http://bit.ly/GoFigure2

Go back to example projects

to extend learning beyond the curriculum

Business Plan to analyze linear profit/loss functions (as a

result of quantity sold) in the real world.

Go back to example projects

Student-Made Review Material• Board games, instructional videos,

practice test, scavenger hunt, Jeopardy game, etc.

• Peer review on quality

Go back to example projects

Building a Picture with Functionshttp://bit.ly/DrawingWithFunctions

Go back to example projects

Trigonometry in the Real Worldan illustrated math guide with pictures/photos, descriptions, and real-world solutions.

Go back to example projects

Stocks Analysispolynomial or calculus topics

Go back to example projects

http://bit.ly/StocksProj

Hole-in-One Minigolf 1. Student designs hole-in-one golf course 2. Exchange with peer to solve

http://bit.ly/MiniGolfProj

Go back to example projects

Tessellations and Construction involving polygon and triangle properties

Go back to example projects

GeoGebra Animation with Trigonometry

http://bit.ly/RotatingCircles

http://bit.ly/RotCircAnalysis

Go back to example projects

Creating a Visual Pattern1. Student creates visual pattern

2. Exchange with peer for analysis

Go back to example projects

Bits of Advice

• Writing, writing, writing!• Inside vs. outside class time• Follow project with formal assessment• Let the reward be intrinsic!

Go back to project framework

Questions?

• Contact mimiyang@gmail.com or reach me at http://untilnextstop.blogspot.com

• Thank you for helping to spread the joy of mathematics!