Hands-On Math Projects With Real-Life Applications Grades 6-12

by Muschla, Judith A.; Muschla, Gary R.

• ISBN13: 9780787981792
• ISBN10: 0787981796
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-07-18
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass

Summary

Hands-On Math Projects with Real-Life Applications, Second Edition offers an exciting collection of 60 hands-on projects to help students in grades 6--12 apply math concepts and skills to solving everyday, real-life problems! The book is filled with classroom-tested projects that emphasize: cooperative learning, group sharing, verbalizing concepts and ideas, efficient researching, and writing clearly in mathematics and across other subject areas. Each project achieves the goal of helping to build skills in problem solving, critical thinking, and decision making, and supports an environment in which positive group dynamics flourish. Each of the projects follows the same proven format and includes instructions for the teacher, a Student Guide, and one or more reproducible datasheets and worksheets. They all include the elements needed for a successful individual or group learning experience. The projects are easily implemented and can stand alone, and they can be used with students of various grade levels and abilities. This thoroughly revised edition of the bestseller includes some new projects, as well as fresh information about technology-based and e-learning strategies and enhancements; No Child Left Behind standards; innovative teaching suggestions with activities, exercises, and standards-based objectives; reading and literacy connections; and guidelines and objectives for group and team-building projects. Hands-On Math Projects with Real-Life Applications is printed in a lay-flat format, for easy photocopying and to help you quickly find appropriate projects to meet the diverse needs of your students, and it includes a special Skills Index that identifies the skills emphasized in each project. This book will save you time and help you instill in your students a genuine appreciation for the world of mathematics. "The projects in this book will enable teachers to broaden their instructional program and provide their students with activities that require the application of math skills to solve real-life problems. This book will help students to realize the relevance and scope of mathematics in their lives." --Melissa Taylor, middle school mathematics teacher, Point Pleasant Borough, New Jersey

Author Biography

Judith A. Muschla has taught mathematics in South River, New Jersey, for over twenty-five years. She was a recipient of the 1990—1991 Governor's Teacher Recognition Program award in New Jersey and was named 2002 South River Public School Teacher of the Year.

Gary Robert Muschla, prolific author and classroom teacher, taught reading and writing for more than twenty-five years in Spotswood, New Jersey. Including this edition, this is the seventh math resource coauthored by Judith A. Muschla and Gary Robert Muschla. Their earlier books include The Math Teacher's Book of Lists; Math Starters!; Geometry Teacher's Activities Kit; Math Smart!; Algebra Teacher's Activities Kit; and Math Games, all published by Jossey-Bass.

Table of Contents

About the Authors.

Acknowledgments.

About This Book.

Alignment to National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Standards.

How to Use This Resource.

Part One: Implementing Projects in the Math Class.

Chapter One: Overview of Projects in the Math Class.

Your Role.

Supporting the Standards of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.

The Teacher’s Role During Math Projects.

Strategies for Problem Solving.

Problem-Solving Strategies.

Helping Students Develop Problem-Solving Skills.

Creating Your Own Projects.

What It Takes to Become a Top Problem Solver.

Sources for Developing Math Projects.

Conclusion.

Chapter Two: Managing Projects in Your Math Class.

Structuring Your Class.

Creating and Maintaining a Positive Environment.

The Responsibilities of the Math Student.

The Right Environment.

Teaching Suggestions.

Individual and Team Conferences.

The Value of Cooperative Problem Solving.

Organizing Teams.

How to Set up Project Teams.

Rules for Working in Math Teams.

The Importance of Sharing.

Writing in Math Class.

Using Technology with Math Projects.

The Writing Process and Math.

Technology Training.

Math Projects and the Internet.

Conclusion.

Chapter Three: Assessing Math Projects.

Observation Logs.

Individual Observation Log.

Group Observation Log.

Checklists.

Possible Assessment Questions.

Skills Checklist.

Point Systems for Project Assessment.

Evaluating Writing.

Grading Projects Using a Point System.

Suggestions for Grading Writing in Math Class.

Self-Assessment.

Conclusion.

Student Self-Assessment.

Teacher Self-Assessment.

Part Two: The Projects.

Section One: Math and Science.

Project 1: The Benefits of Recycling.

Student Guide 1.1, The Benefits of Recycling.

Data Sheet 1.2, Some Facts About Recycling.

Project 2: Endangered Species: Can They Be Saved?

Student Guide 2.1, Endangered Species: Can They Be Saved?

Data Sheet 2.2, Examples of Endangered Animals.

Data Sheet 2.3, Some Facts About Endangered Species.

Project 3: Charting Your Calories.

Student Guide 3.1, Charting Your Calories.

Worksheet 3.2, A Daily Calorie Chart.

Project 4: How Many Calories Do You Burn Each Day?

Student Guide 4.1, How Many Calories Do You Burn Each Day?.

Data Sheet 4.2, Caloric Expenditure and Physical Activities.

Worksheet 4.3, A Daily Activity Chart.

Project 5: It Is Only Natural.

Student Guide 5.1, It Is Only Natural.

Data Sheet 5.2, Math in Nature.

Project 6: Designing a Flower Bed.

Student Guide 6.1, Designing a Flower Bed.

Data Sheet 6.2, Facts and Prices of Selected Plants.

Worksheet 6.3, Centimeter Grid.

Project 7: Buying a Class Aquarium.

Student Guide 7.1, Buying a Class Aquarium.

Data Sheet 7.2, Aquariums and Accessories.

Project 8: The School’s New Lunch Program.

Student Guide 8.1, The School’s New Lunch Program.

Data Sheet 8.2, School Lunch Program.

Worksheet 8.3, A Five-Day Menu.

Project 9: What Is the Weather?

Student Guide 9.1, What Is the Weather?

Data Sheet 9.2, Weather Words.

Project 10: A Flight to Mars.

Student Guide 10.1, A Flight to Mars.

Data Sheet 10.2, Information About the Red Planet.

Section Two: Math and Social Studies.

Project 11: A Great Mathematician.

Student Guide, 11.1, A Great Mathematician.

Data Sheet 11.2, Math Greats.

Project 12: An Election Poll.

Student Guide 12.1, An Election Poll.

Data Sheet 12.2, Poll Points.

Project 13: Landmarks.

Student Guide 13.1, Landmarks.

Data Sheet 13.2, Steps to Enlarging a Pattern.

Project 14: Creating a Scale Map.

Student Guide 14.1, Creating a Scale Map.

Data Sheet, 14.2, How to Make a Map.

Project 15: A Game: What Date Is That?

Student Guide 15.1, A Game: What Date Is That?

Data Sheet, 15.2, Ancient Number Systems.

Project 16: An Interview to Math’s Past.

Student Guide 16.1, An Interview to Math’s Past.

Data Sheet 16.2, Tips for Conducting Effective Interviews.

Project 17: Rating Consumer Products.

Student Guide 17.1, Rating Consumer Products.

Data Sheet 17.2, Tips for Comparing Some Everyday Products.

Project 18: Lands of Ethnic Origin: A Statistical Potpourri.

Student Guide 18.1, Lands of Ethnic Origin: A Statistical Potpourri.

Data Sheet 18.2, Tips for Creating a Country’s Fact Profile Sheet.

Project 19: A Land of Immigrants.

Student Guide 19.1, A Land of Immigrants.

Data Sheet 19.2, Researching Immigration.

Project 20: The Games People Play.

Student Guide 20.1, The Games People Play.

Data Sheet 20.2, Games from Around the World.

Project 21: Back to the Past.

Student Guide 21.1, Back to the Past.

Data Sheet 21.2, An Outline to Organization.

Section Three: Math and Language.

Project 22: Becoming the Experts.

Student Guide 22.1, Becoming the Experts.

Data Sheet 22.2, A Student Sample Lesson Plan Guide.

Worksheet 22.3, A Sample Lesson Plan.

Project 23: Great Debates.

Student Guide 23.1, Great Debates.

Data Sheet 23.2, An Informal Debate Structure.

Project 24: The Mathematics Publishing Company.

Student Guide 24.1, The Mathematics Publishing Company.

Data Sheet 24.2, Possible Ideas for a Math Magazine.

Project 25: Rating Math Web Sites.

Student Guide 25.1, Rating Math Web Sites.

Data Sheet 25.2, Tips for Rating Math Web Sites.

Project 26: Fictional Numbers: Writing a Story.

Student Guide 26.1, Fictional Numbers: Writing a Story.

Data Sheet 26.2, A Revision Checklist for Stories.

Project 27: A Mathematical Autobiography.

Student Guide 27.1, A Mathematical Autobiography.

Data Sheet 27.2, Organizing Your Autobiography.

Project 28: Puzzling.

Student Guide 28.1, Puzzling.

Data Sheet 28.2, Puzzles, Puzzles, Puzzles.

Project 29: Lending a Math Hand.

Student Guide 29.1, Lending a Math Hand.

Data Sheet 29.2, Creating a Math Booklet.

Project 30: Sharing the Math Word.

Student Guide 30.1, Sharing the Math Word.

Data Sheet 30.2, A Sample Query Letter.

Project 31: Keeping a Math Journal.

Student Guide 31.1, Keeping a Math Journal.

Data Sheet 31.2, Some Ideas for Math Journals.

Project 32: Math Portfolios.

Student Guide 32.1, Math Portfolios.

Data Sheet 32.2, Portfolio Assessment Criteria.

Section Four: Math and Art and Music.

Project 33: Making a Math Poster.

Student Guide 33.1, Making a Math Poster.

Data Sheet 33.2, Pointers About Posters.

Project 34: Creating a Logo.

Student Guide 34.1, Creating a Logo.

Data Sheet 34.2, Creating an Effective Logo.

Project 35: I Wanna Be Like Escher.

Student Guide 35.1, I Wanna Be Like Escher.

Data Sheet 35.2, Polygon Patterns.

Data Sheet 35.3, Steps to Making an Escher-Like Drawing.

Worksheet 35.4, Isometric Dot Paper.

Project 36: The Plus and Minus Comic Strip.

Student Guide 36.1, The Plus and Minus Comic Strip.

Data Sheet 36.2, Comic Tips.

Project 37: Numbers and Songs.

Student Guide 37.1, Numbers and Songs.

Data Sheet 37.2, Tips for Writing Lyrics and Music.

Worksheet 37.3, Music Sheet.

Project 38: The Math in Music.

Student Guide 38.1, The Math in Music.

Data Sheet 38.2, Tips for Essay Writing.

Project 39: Making Three-Dimensional Octahedra and Classroom Decorations.

Student Guide 39.1, Making Three-Dimensional Octahedra and Classroom Decorations.

Data Sheet 39.2, Constructing a Three-Dimensional Octahedron.

Project 40: Creating a Greeting Card for Math Awareness Month.

Student Guide 40.1, Creating a Greeting Card for Math Awareness Month.

Data Sheet 40.2, Tips for Creating Math Greeting Cards.

Project 41: The Geometry and Art of Architecture.

Student Guide 41.1, The Geometry and Art of Architecture.

Data Sheet 41.2, Famous Architecture Around the World.

Project 42: Designing a Quilt Pattern.

Student Guide 42.1, Designing a Quilt Pattern.

Data Sheet 42.2, Creating a One-Patch Quilt Design.

Worksheet 42.3, Quilt Design.

Section Five: Math and Sports and Recreation.

Project 43: Choosing a Membership Plan at a Health Club.

Student Guide 43.1, Choosing a Membership Plan at a Health Club.

Data Sheet 43.2, Power Health Club Membership Plans.

Project 44: Equipment for the School’s Workout Room.

Student Guide 44.1, Equipment for the School’s Workout Room.

Data Sheet 44.2, The Cost of Exercising.

Worksheet 44.3, Gym Equipment Order Form.

Project 45: Comparing Sports Superstars.

Student Guide 45.1, Comparing Sports Superstars.

Worksheet 45.2, Sports Superstars.

Project 46: Math and the Big Game.

Student Guide 46.1, Math and the Big Game.

Worksheet 46.2, Tracking the Stats.

Project 47: Your Unique Exercise Program.

Student Guide 47.1, Your Unique Exercise Program.

Data Sheet 47.2, Your Training Range.

Project 48: The Big Dance.

Student Guide 48.1, The Big Dance.

Data Sheet 48.2, The Costs of a Big Dance.

Worksheet 48.3, The Big Dance Cost/Revenue Tally Sheet.

Project 49: The Numbers Game.

Student Guide 49.1, The Numbers Game.

Worksheet 49.2, Number Phrases.

Project 50: Planning a Sundae Party.

Student Guide 50.1, Planning a Sundae Party.

Data Sheet 50.2, Prices for a Sundae Party.

Worksheet 50.3, Tallying the Costs of a Sundae Party.

Project 51: Going on Vacation.

Student Guide 51.1, Going on Vacation.

Data Sheet 51.2, The Costs of a Great Vacation.

Worksheet 51.3, Calculating Vacation Costs.

Section Six: Math and Life Skills.

Project 52: Making a Budget.

Student Guide 52.1, Making a Budget.

Data Sheet 52.2, Tips for Making a Budget.

Worksheet 52.3, Working on Your Budget.

Project 53: A Floor Plan of My Room.

Student Guide 53.1, A Floor Plan of My Room.

Data Sheet 53.2, How to Measure a Room.

Worksheet 53.3, A Grid for a Floor Plan.

Project 54: The Costs of Pets.

Student Guide 54.1, The Costs of Pets.

Data Sheet 54.2, Cost Factors to Consider in Choosing a Pet.

Project 55: Maintaining a Math Class Web Site.

Student Guide 55.1, Maintaining a Math Class Web Site.

Data Sheet 55.2, Tips for Building a Web Site.

Project 56: Selecting a Sound System Using the Internet.

Student Guide 56.1, Selecting a Sound System Using the Internet.

Worksheet 56.2, The Best Sound System.

Project 57: Buying a Car.

Student Guide 57.1, Buying a Car.

Data Sheet 57.2, Car Costs.

Worksheet 57.3, A Car Buyer’s Cost Sheet.

Project 58: What Is on the Test?

Student Guide 58.1, What Is on the Test?

Data Sheet 58.2, Elements of a Good Math Test.

Project 59: Checks and Balances.

Student Guide 59.1, Checks and Balances.

Data Sheet 59.2, Keeping a Balanced Checking Account.

Data Sheet 59.3, Debits, Credits, and ATMs.

Worksheet 59.4, Practice Checks.

Worksheet 59.5, A Check Register and Deposit Forms.

Project 60: Math in My Life: An Assessment.

Student Guide 60.1, Math in My Life: An Assessment.