My favorite new book for the math classroom is Eat Your Math Homework Recipes for Hungry Minds by Ann McCallum. Students won't report to class claiming their dog ate their homework with activities such as the ones McCallum has cooked up. These tasty recipes can be followed at home or at school for a tasty snack of milk and math.
The recipes begin with "Fibonacci Snack Sticks" where children learn about patterns and sequences with a side of math history as they skewer a variety of ingredients to create edible patterns. Other recipes including "Fraction Chips," "Tessellating Two-Color Brownies," and Probability Trail Mix" will have students coming back for seconds.
Teaching Tip
Invite parents to join the class and assist small groups of children as they cook up some math.
[NOTE: I've provided links to both the hardcover and paperback versions of this book. You may want the hardcover for you personal library. I suggest multiple copies of the paperbacks so you have at least one copy for each small group.]
Showing posts with label Fibonacci. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fibonacci. Show all posts
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Monday, June 6, 2011
Growing Patterns
In April I shared several books and ideas for learning more about the Fibonnaci sequence. Here is one more title to add to that collection, Growing Patterns by Sarah Campbell. Using stunning photographs, Campbell explores the appearance of the Fibonacci numbers in nature. 
Interestingly, the progression of the photograph layouts represent a Fibonnaci spiral. The text begins with a very simple pattern and advances to more complex mathematical concepts.
Teaching Tip
If possible bring an assortment of flowers, seed heads, fruit etc into the classroom for students to examine.
Discovery education offers an excellent lesson plan that includes a set of activity sheets that can help guide students as they investigate Fibonacci numbers found in nature.
Interestingly, the progression of the photograph layouts represent a Fibonnaci spiral. The text begins with a very simple pattern and advances to more complex mathematical concepts.
Teaching Tip
If possible bring an assortment of flowers, seed heads, fruit etc into the classroom for students to examine.
Discovery education offers an excellent lesson plan that includes a set of activity sheets that can help guide students as they investigate Fibonacci numbers found in nature.
Friday, April 22, 2011
0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34...
This famous sequence was first observed in 1202 by Italian mathematician Leonardo of Pisa, perhaps better known today as Fibonacci. Found in nature, this growing pattern has intrigued mathematicians for centuries. Students can explore the Fibonacci sequence using various math concepts appropriate to their grade level. Books such as Rabbits, rabbits everywhere: A Fibonacci tale; Wild Fibonacci and Blockhead: The Life of Fibonacci are perfect entry points into the world of Fibonacci.
Teaching Tip
Pose the same problem that Fibonacci wrestled with:
Rabbits can mate at the age of one month so by the end of the second month, each female can produce another pair of rabbits. If the rabbits never die and each female produces one male and one female rabbit, how many pairs of rabbits will be produced by the end of a year?
You can find a detailed version of the rabbit problem investigation here.
Other teaching resources:
Grade 4 lesson plan
Discovery School lesson plan
Teaching Tip
Pose the same problem that Fibonacci wrestled with:
Rabbits can mate at the age of one month so by the end of the second month, each female can produce another pair of rabbits. If the rabbits never die and each female produces one male and one female rabbit, how many pairs of rabbits will be produced by the end of a year?
You can find a detailed version of the rabbit problem investigation here.
Other teaching resources:
Grade 4 lesson plan
Discovery School lesson plan
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