Central Tendency

To introduce averages, put a random number of the same object on each students desk (I suggest little candies). Explain that you can think of averages as sharing. Have each student count the number of candies on their desk and write the number on the board, and put all their candies in one big pile. You have to calculate the total number of candies, so add up all the totals. Then you have to figure out how many to give each person, so you divide by the total number of students. Distribute that number candies back to each student, and they each have the average number!

Square and Cube Roots

This activity is to visualize irrational vs rational numbers. When introducing students to the idea of irrational numbers, have students draw them out. They can use graph paper and space apart their numbers. For example, if they were drawing the square root of 2 which is 1.414213562373..., they would colour in the 1 square, and then they would count 4 and colour in that square, and then the square 1 away, and then the square 4 away, and then the square 2 away, and so on. Then do this with a repeating decimal as well. The repeating decimal will create a pattern, the irrational number will not. The picture attached is a representation of e. As you can see, there is no pattern and it looks very random. Drawing out a repeating decimal in the same way would make a pattern.

Theoretical Probability

https://burnabyschools.ca/indigenouseducation/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2019/01/logic-games3.pdf

This is a really great lesson plan to introduce probability and games of chance. Choose a few games from this PDF, and have the kids play. A great thing to go along with this would be to create a sheet to record the probabilities of different games. After the students have had a chance to play most of the games, you can go over the probabilities as a class. The PDF goes through different assessment strategies, and even full unit plans. It’s truly an excellent resource!

Financial Literacy

This project is for the financial literacy unit. Students find a recipe of something they would like to make. They will go online to different grocery store websites to find how to make the cheapest way to make it and have the least amount of ingredients left over. They can compare price per unit, and it will help them to budget

. 

Perfect Squares and Cubes

This activity is to introduce perfect squares and cubes. The idea behind it is to have students discover why these numbers are called perfect squares and cubes. The activity should be done in groups to encourage discussion. The idea behind the activity is to use squares to represent numbers. One would be represented with 1 square, 2 would be represented with 2 squares, and so on and so on. Numbers can be either lines, rectangles or squares. Prime numbers will be lines and perfect squares will be squares. All other numbers will be rectangles. Give each group a pile of 20 squares. Get them to make each number between 1 and 20 using squares, and write down if it's a line, square or rectangle. This can start a discussion on what perfect squares and cubes are, and how to find them. Attached is an example answer key with all the squares drawn out.

Welcome!

The purpose of this blog is to provide resources to new math teachers in BC. As a practicum student, I've had a hard time finding meaningful activities that relate strongly to the BC math curriculum. Here, I will try to provide at least one activity per content area for each grade. I will start with the grade 8 math curriculum, and work my way up. The activities may be to kick off the unit, to introduce in the middle to extend to the next topic, or to wrap up the unit.