Building the Town of NumberOpolis!
A place for every number: design; create; and communicate.
Imagination, global numeric linkages and recycled materials encourage students to experiment with math on their own terms. The multi-disciplinary one-day to full-year engaging program alleviates math anxiety and sparks critical thinking. Its flexibility ignites collaboration with STEM/STEAM programs, as per the film series, The Travelling Numbers Show and designing a learning environment.
Overview
Information on this page is provided by the innovator and has not been evaluated by HundrED.
2015
Established
1.1K
Children
10
Countries
Target group
Students
Updated
June 2019
Building a house for a number allows students to think creatively both when designing and then communicating their ideas, numerical knowledge and global connections.
About the innovation
Media
Implementation steps
Introductory Summary and Visualization of Numbers 0-9
BUILDING NUMBEROPOLIS!*
IMAGINE, CREATE AND HELP BUILD THE TOWN WHERE THE NUMBERS LIVE!
SELECT THE NUMBER 0 – 9, or π, ϕ, ∞, c, e, i, or ꓰ WHOSE HOUSE YOU WANT TO BUILD AND DECORATE
1.THINK WHERE YOU ENCOUNTER THAT NUMBER IN YOUR ENVIRONMENT--OR THE WORLD!
CHECK OUT THE POWERPOINT SLIDE ABOUT EACH NUMBER TO GIVE YOU SOME HINTS
2.IMAGINE HOW YOU CAN INCORPORATE SOME OF THE NUMERIC CHARACTERISTICS OF THE NUMBER IN YOUR CONSTRUCTION
3.WRITE UP YOUR DESIGN-THINKING AS TO HOW TO CONSTRUCT YOUR HOUSE, DECORATE IT AND ADD ACCESSORIES (SUCH AS VEHICLE)
4.CREATE YOUR HOUSE AND THEN TURN IT INTO A HOME WITH DECORATIONS
THINK: WHAT MAKES A HOUSE A HOME?
5.USE YOUR IMAGINATION, PAPER, CARDBOARD, TOILET PAPER ROLL CENTERS, DUCT TAPE, STICKERS, MARKERS, ETC.
6.ADD ACCESSORIES, SUCH AS VEHICLES, GARDENS, ROADS, PARKS
7.CONSIDER WHERE IN THE TOWN YOUR HOUSE SHOULD BE PUT
8.WORK WITH EVERYONE TO PUT THE TOWN TOGETHER
*One-page sign for public events or to distribute to teams when beginning the building process for structured programs
Number Photo Walk/Number Scavenger Hunt
Make a book of numeric representations of each number 0-9 (if 10 children or 10 small groups). Let the children observe the number of their group in their environment: quantity; shape (number of points for 0-2) and points/sides for 3+; name or order. Adapt the concept to the age of the children. Discussing quantity and shape together is critical to foundational mathematical thinking.
Children will find things that are small and low! Another option is to suggest the students look for designs of plant leaves, car wheels, or posters. Some numbers are easier than others to locate (many flowers with 5-petals), but it is also a great introduction to natural and man-made patterns.
Adaptable Teacher Guide
The document was developed for a specific school's implementation of a 1/2 year Building the Town of NumberOpolis! for upper elementary through Middle School students.
Foundational Math Concepts Through Number Links
Use in class, at home, or when preparing for more in-depth Building the Town of NumberOpolis!
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