Math Is Everywhere!

Why do I need to know this?  When am I going to use this? 

As a future educator I am always on the search for making math fun for students by finding ways to relate it to their everyday lives.  The more teachers talk about math and relate new concepts to everyday life, the better chance we have at changing their attitudes towards math.  Math is truly everywhere.  It surrounds us! 

After introducing a new topic find an activity to engage your students.  There are so many possibilities especially when introducing fractions, decimals, and percents.    

Lets have some fun with decimals and percents!  Have your students bring in some adds for a fun activity.  Students can partner up and work through task cards.  These task cards may include selecting a number of items and calculating the final cost including tax and discounts as well as calculating change.  Another activity is to compare price per unit.  

Fractions can be a challenging topic but with the right instruction and motivation they can be fun!  Here is a fun rap to remind your students of fraction rules: 

“Multiplying fraction no big problem,

Top times top over bottom times bottom.

Dividing fraction, as easy as pie,

Flip the second fraction, then multiply. 

If adding or subtracting is your aim,

The bottom number must be the same!

Change the bottom using multiply or divide,

But the same to the top must be applied.

And don’t forget to simplify,

Before its time to say goodbye.” 

Once your students are comfortable with their fraction skills move onto a fun activity.  Have your students bring in some recipe cards.  Students can partner up and work through task cards.  These task cards may include doubling, tripling, or quadrupling recipes.  It could be fun to make a big gourp mix as a class after this recipe activity.

Remember math is fun and exciting!  Take a step back and look at your everyday life and see what you can relate to your teaching.  Encourage & Inspire!