Curriculum Connections

"Students are asked to make academic connections to ordinary life experiences...Many students aren't aware of how reading, writing, and mathematics are part of their daily life, and one of the challenges for educators is to help students make such real-world associations" (Callison & Lamb). A great real-world inquiry for a fifth grade class would be to design a room (bathroom, bedroom, or even the classroom or school library). In small groups students would

• Determine prior knowledge
• Explore the topic and develop questions, find/evaluate/use sources to answer questions, organize information and make decisions
• Take measurements and draw floor plans (using paper/pencil or an online tool such as www.floorplanner.com). Create an OlioBoard to display design ideas.
• Create a detailed budget
• Present findings to class (or parent, principal, etc.)

This project would require students to walk through all the steps of inquiry fulfilling the AASL standards 1, 2, and 3.

IN Standards

• Geometry (Examples: Measuring for floor plan and design)
5.4 Students identify, describe, and classify the properties of plane and solid geometric shapes and the relationships between them.
5.4.1 Measure, identify, and draw angles, perpendicular and parallel lines, rectangles, triangles and circles by using appropriate tools (e.g. ruler, compass, protractor, appropriate technology and media tools.)

• Measurement (Examples: Determining amount of paint, flooring/budgeting)
5.5 Students understand and compute the areas and volumes of simple objects, as well as measuring weight, temperature, time, and money.
5.5.2 Solve problems involving perimeters and areas of rectangles, triangles, parallelograms, and trapezoids, using appropriate units.
5.5.4 Find the surface area and volume of rectangular solids using appropriate units.
5.5.7 Add and subtract with money in decimal notation.

This same project could be used in high school classes as it fits within the scope of Business Math standards.

BMTH.1.2 Students apply basic geometry principles to solve problems for a variety of business situations. (Examples: Measuring for floor plan and design, determining amount of paint, flooring)
BMTH.1.2.1 Demonstrate ability to take measurements and convert as needed.
BMTH.1.2.2 Use formulas necessary for area, perimeter, circumference, diameter, and volume
BMTH.6.1 Students develop skills to create and present accurate and effective communication for specific business related purposes and audiences. (Examples: cooperative groups, inquiry process, technical sources—i.e. plumbing how to)
BMTH.6.1.1 Use clear and legible handwriting in all written work and communication.
BMTH.6.1.3 Use discussion skills to assume leadership and participant roles.
BMTH.6.1.4 Use research, composition, and oral skills to present information for a variety of situations utilizing appropriate technology.
BMTH.6.1.5 Work cooperatively with peers and authority figures.
BMTH.6.1.6 Use clear and concise writing skills to describe, explain, and inform various audiences.
BMTH.6.1.7 Follow and interpret directions, graphs, charts and diagrams found in technical writing.
BMTH.6.1.8 Use appropriate industry terminology.

Callison, D. and Lamb, A. (2004, December). Key words in instruction: Authentic learning. School Library Media Activities Monthly, 21(4), 34-39.