A Year in the Life: Ambient Math Wins the Race to the Top!
Day 203
For one year, 365 days, this blog will address the Common Core Standards from the perspective of creating an alternate, ambient learning environment for math. Ambient is defined as “existing or present on all sides, an all-encompassing atmosphere.”
And ambient music is defined as: “Quiet and relaxing with melodies that repeat many times. Why ambient? A math teaching style that’s whole and all encompassing, with themes that repeat many times through the years, is most likely to be effective and successful. CCSS math standards are listed here in blue, followed by ambient math suggestions.
Measurement and Data 3.MD
Solve problems involving measurement and estimations of intervals of time, liquid volumes, and masses of objects.
2. Measure and estimate liquid volumes and masses of objects using standard units of grams (g), kilograms (kg), and liters (l). Add, subtract, multiply, or divide to solve one-step word problems involving masses or volumes that are given in the same units, e.g., by using drawings (such as a beaker with a measurement scale) to represent the problem.
Two words for teaching this standard: cooking and baking. Metric measurement may be a bit of a problem here in the US, but that’s another opportunity to practice math! Have a conversion chart handy to translate US standard to metric. Both liquid and dry (masses of objects) are used in just about any recipe.
Halving or doubling recipes will afford a lot of 4 processes practice while cooking or baking. And once again, real life trumps word problems. How much better than a drawing of a beaker with a measurement scale is a real-live measuring cup and set of measuring spoons?
Knowledge ensues in an environment dedicated to imaginative, creative knowing, where student and teacher alike surrender to the ensuing of knowledge as a worthy goal. Tune in tomorrow for more Grade 3 math CCSS and their ambient counterparts.