Mathematics in 4/5 Patterson
Where math is all about discovery!
Problem Solving in Math
The Three Part Lesson
In our classroom we follow the Three Part Lesson format. This means that there are three specific elements to solving our problems.
First, we have a Mind's On activity that gets us thinking about the work that we are going to do. For example, if we are going to be working with perimeter and area, Mrs. Patterson might ask us a question that will jog our brains about the topic. This allows us to think about what we might already know and how we can use it in our work.
The second part of our lesson is the real "meat and potatoes" of what we are doing. This is where we get a chance to work on a mathematical problem that Mrs. Patterson has given us based on our interests...... something that really means something to us. For example, when the baby ducks were born in the courtyard, we needed to build a pen to house the ducklings. This problem involved perimeter and area and it was very important to us because we wanted to keep our new ducklings safe. Real life, meaningful math problems can be FUN!
The third part of our lesson is when we get a chance to share our thinking with the whole class. We get to see the different ways that other groups solved the same questions. It is wonderful to see that even though we may have arrived at the same answer, there are so many ways to go about it!
What Do the Experts Have to Say?
Dr. Marian Small is one of the province's leading voices on mathematical education. The following clip provides a look into her philosophy of teaching math and mathematical instruction in today's classroom.
For more information, you can visit her website at: http://www.onetwoinfinity.ca/
Questions?
If you have any questions in regards to your child's math program or would like further information, please feel free to call me at 519-xxx-xxx.
Sincerely,
Mrs. J. Patterson