Chattanooga Math Trail: Community Mathematics Modules

1
Chattanooga Math TrailCommunity Mathematics
Modules

• Deborah A. McAllister
• The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Adrian Mealer, Peggy S. Moyer, Shirley A.
McDonald, John B. Peoples, and Lon L. Eilders, II
2
What is a math trail?

• An activity in which the student finds examples
  of the math under study within the community.
• An opportunity to create math problems based on
  discovery the student as problem poser.
• A process by which work is documented with
  photographs, drawings, narratives, and maps.
• Grew from Kay Tolivers work.

3
The National Math Trail

• Web site http//www.nationalmathtrail.org/.
• Submissions - view state, country, ISS.
• Tennessee has only three entries, including The
  McCallie School.
• Alabama - Magic City Math Trail (Susan Clopton).

4
ACTM Presentation

• Susan Clopton, October 2001.
• Gifted middle school students two schools in
  Birmingham area.
• Math trail problems for AUM campus OR You can
  make a math problem from just about anything!

5
Let the Math Trail Begin!

• Checking equipment.

6
The Vending Machines

• Coins to total 65 cents.

7
The Elevator

• Speed.
• Distance traveled.

8
Angles and Patterns

• Parallel lines.
• Perpendicular lines.
• Parallel lines cut by a transversal.

9
License Plates

• License plate combinations.

10
Parking Lot Objects

• Height of the light pole.
• Volume of the concrete base.
• Surface area of the trash can.
• Ratio of SUVs to sedans.
• Time or paint required to paint stripes.

11
How Many Rectangles?

• Individual.
• Made from more than one rectangle.
• Slope of handrail and steps.

12
Circles

• Radius.
• Diameter.
• Area.

13
Lunch!

• Area under the tent.
• Area per person.
• Angle of the tent pole with the ground.
• Number of blades of grass under the tent.

14
Steps for Creating a Math Trail

• Students work in small groups.
• Practice in identifying, writing, and solving
  problems.
• Gather data write problems in classroom.
• Complete work, discuss problems, prepare
  presentation (any form).
• Group presentations.
• Assessment self, group, and/or adult.

15
Cloptons Scale

• Did very little not on task. (1)
• Contributed few ideas, but helped collect and
  record data. (3)
• Contributed ideas, and helped collect and record
  data. (5)
• 5-point scale.

16
Remember...

• Adult chaperones (K-12).
• Permission to use facilities.
• Equipment - clipboard, pencil, rope, measuring
  tape, ruler, calculator, camera/digital camera,
  protractor, list of formulas.
• Water, restroom availability.
• Inclement weather plan.

17
Related Web Sites

• Worlds Largest Math Event (NCTM) -
  http//www.nctm.org/wlme/
• Illuminations (NCTM) - http//illuminations.nctm.o
  rg/
• NCTM Principles and Standards -
  http//standards.nctm.org/

18
More Web Sites

• Numbers from One to Thirty-One A Page for Each
  Day of the Month - http//richardphillips.org.uk/n
  umber/
• Scott Kim/Inversions - http//www.scottkim.com/
• Fun with Numbers - http//www.newdream.net/sage/o
  ld/numbers/

19
Rubric Web Sites

• Barnard, P. (2003, July 2). Learning central _at_
  Pioneer Rubric resources. Retrieved July 20,
  2003, from http//www.asd.wednet.edu/pioneer/barna
  rd/index.htm
• Chicago Public Schools. (2000). The rubric bank.
  Retrieved July 20, 2003, from http//intranet.cps.
  k12.il.us/Assessments/Ideas_and_Rubrics/Rubric_Ban
  k/rubric_bank.html
• Chicago Public Schools. (2000). How to create a
  rubric. Retrieved July 20, 2003, from
  http//intranet.cps.k12.il.us/Assessments/Ideas_an
  d_Rubrics/Create_Rubric/create_rubric.html
• Coxon, E. (2003, February 16). Rubrics from the
  staff room for Ontario teachers. Retrieved July
  20, 2003, from http//www.odyssey.on.ca/elaine.co
  xon/rubrics.htm
• LessonPlanZ.com. (2003, July 9). Retrieved July
  20, 2003, from http//lessonplanz.com/ (use
  'rubric' as a search term)
• South Dakota State University. (n.d.). Rubric
  template. Retrieved July 20, 2003, from
  http//edweb.sdsu.edu/triton/july/rubrics/Rubric_T
  emplate.html
• Teach-nology. (2002). Rubric, rubrics, teacher
  rubric makers. Retrieved July 20, 2003, from
  http//teachers.teach-nology.com/web_tools/rubrics
  /
• The Landmark Project. (n.d.). Rubric construction
  set. Retrieved July 20, 2003, from
  http//landmark-project.com/classweb/rubrics/4x4ru
  bric.html

20
References

• Clopton, S. (2001, October). Be a trailblazer
  Create a math trail for your students. Paper
  presented at the Alabama Council of Teachers of
  Mathematics annual state conference, Montgomery,
  AL.
• Foundation for Advancements in Science and
  Education. (2002). The national math trail.
  Retrieved July 20, 2003, from http//www.nationalm
  athtrail.org/
• Foundation for Advancements n Science and
  Education. (2002). What is a math trail?
  Retrieved July 20, 2003, from http//www.nationalm
  athtrail.org/nmt_report/what_is_a_math_trail.htm
• Toliver, K. (1998). Teacher talk The math trail
  Video. Los Angeles, CA Foundation for
  Advancements in Science and Education.