Hands-On Math Keeps Students Engaged

"The debriefing back in the classroom was amazing as students shared what they found and related their findings to the properties of the shapes and angles."

MiddleWeb

By Kathleen Palmieri

Jan 8

Summary of "Hands-On Math Keeps Students Engaged"

By Kathleen Palmieri
Published on MiddleWeb
Original URL: Hands-On Math Keeps Students Engaged

As the school year progresses and students’ focus wanes, hands-on activities can reinvigorate engagement in the classroom, particularly in math. Kathleen Palmieri, a fifth-grade educator, shares strategies that blend creativity and collaboration to enhance student learning. These activities emphasize geometry and teamwork while encouraging students to connect theoretical math concepts with tangible experiences.

Engaging Geometry with a Scavenger Hunt

Palmieri introduces a geometry scavenger hunt as a simple yet effective way to review shapes, angles, and math vocabulary. She equips students with clipboards, pencils, and activity sheets before sending them outside to identify geometric properties in their environment.

Students search for examples of shapes like squares, rectangles, rhombuses, trapezoids, and scalene triangles, as well as acute, obtuse, and right angles. They work independently or collaboratively, later returning to the classroom to share their findings. The debriefing session allows students to articulate their discoveries and connect them to the properties of the identified shapes and angles. This activity bridges abstract geometry concepts with real-world applications, enhancing comprehension and enthusiasm.

Teamwork and Problem Solving with Shape-Building

Another hands-on activity from youcubed.org, “Building Shapes,” emphasizes teamwork and critical thinking. Using a single piece of rope, students collaborate to construct three-dimensional shapes under specific rules:

1. Each participant must keep at least one hand on the rope.
2. The rope cannot be untied.
3. The entire rope must be used.
4. Groups must justify the accuracy of their shapes to the teacher.

Palmieri highlights the importance of assigning a “skeptic” role to challenge groups by asking probing questions like:

• “How do you know this is a ______?”
• “What are the characteristics of the shape you built?”
• “How can you prove two segments are congruent?”

These guided questions push students to think critically and articulate their reasoning. The activity often spans multiple class periods as students refine their understanding and creativity.

Incorporating Proofs and Sharing Results

The shape-building exercise underscores the role of proofs in mathematics. Groups share their shapes and reasoning, fostering class-wide collaboration. A student skeptic may ask additional questions to deepen understanding. This process builds confidence in students, particularly those who may struggle with traditional math tasks, and nurtures their problem-solving skills.

Extending Engagement Beyond Assigned Tasks

Palmieri notes that students often become so engrossed in the activities that they exceed the original scope, creating additional shapes or exploring more complex proofs. This intrinsic motivation and curiosity further reinforce learning.

Benefits of Hands-On Math

These activities highlight the value of integrating experiential learning into math instruction. They encourage exploration, teamwork, and critical thinking while making abstract concepts accessible and enjoyable. Palmieri recommends the youcubed.org website as a resource for additional activities that keep students engaged in math.

Conclusion

Hands-on math activities, like geometry scavenger hunts and collaborative shape-building, are effective ways to maintain student engagement. These strategies provide opportunities for exploration, creativity, and deeper learning, helping students connect abstract math concepts to the real world. Palmieri’s approach underscores the importance of creating interactive and meaningful learning experiences that inspire students to embrace math.

About the Author:
Kathleen Palmieri is a National Board Certified Teacher and fifth-grade educator in New York. She regularly writes for MiddleWeb and shares her educational insights on Twitter (@KathleenPalmieriNBCT) and her blog (kathleenpalmieri.com).

Original Article

------------------------------

Prepared with the assistance of AI software

OpenAI. (2024). ChatGPT (4) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com