Monday, October 25, 10:15 A.M. 5th Grade Math Class. Class #17 on my “50 Classes or Bust!” expedition. I arrive just as Mrs. Nessler’s math class is beginning. Mrs. Nessler used to teach a 5th grade girls homeroom; now, in addition to teaching math, she coaches cross country, teaches fine arts, and serves as Middle School Academic Support Coordinator! The students have just finished snack (cornbread, which is always delicious) and recess, and they are ready to go. A math challenge problem is on the board. The number 5 is circled, and the following numbers are written around it: 1, 3, 6, 8, 4. The twelve students are racing to find the right order of operations, using the numbers above, to equate to an answer of 5. It turns out that there are a number of correct answers, but the student who gets to a correct answer first shares this:
[(4+8) -3] – 4 x 1 = 5
Another correct answer is shared, and then the class pulls out their math homework, which is a chapter review in preparation for Wednesday’s test. The students are working on decimals and approaching them a variety of ways: greater than/less than, place value, estimating, and computing. At 10:35, the class moves on to its third activity, one which involves group work and problem solving. This is not your average group activity, however! Once the group (either two or three students) has the answer, the team members have to determine how they will teach the class to solve the problem. Then, each group comes to the board and explains how to approach the question and work through to an answer. An example of one of the word problems is: “A local frozen yogurt shop offers three flavors of frozen yogurt and four toppings. How many one flavor, one topping combinations are possible?” The group in charge of this problem shows the class how making a chart is an effective way to arrive at the correct answer of 12 combinations. Four groups have a chance to present, and the final two groups will present tomorrow. The students really got a great deal accomplished in 45 minutes today! Based on what I observed, I am confident that they are in more–than-good shape for Wednesday’s test.
