Hands-On Math Projects With Real-Life Applications: Grades 6-12

by Judith A. Muschla, Gary R. Muschla

Overview

Hands-On Math Projects with Real-Life Applications, Second Edition offers an exciting collection of 60 hands-on projects to help students in grades 6—12 apply math concepts and skills to solving everyday, real-life problems! The book is filled with classroom-tested projects that emphasize: cooperative learning, group sharing, verbalizing concepts and ideas, efficient researching, and writing clearly in mathematics and across other subject areas. Each project achieves the goal of helping to build skills in problem solving, critical thinking, and decision making, and supports an environment in which positive group dynamics flourish.

Each of the projects follows the same proven format and includes instructions for the teacher, a Student Guide, and one or more reproducible datasheets and worksheets. They all include the elements needed for a successful individual or group learning experience. The projects are easily implemented and can stand alone, and they can be used with students of various grade levels and abilities.

This thoroughly revised edition of the bestseller includes some new projects, as well as fresh information about technology-based and e-learning strategies and enhancements; No Child Left Behind standards; innovative teaching suggestions with activities, exercises, and standards-based objectives; reading and literacy connections; and guidelines and objectives for group and team-building projects.

Hands-On Math Projects with Real-Life Applications is printed in a lay-flat format, for easy photocopying and to help you quickly find appropriate projects to meet the diverse needs of your students, and it includes a special Skills Index that identifies the skills emphasized in each project. This book will save you time and help you instill in your students a genuine appreciation for the world of mathematics.

"The projects in this book will enable teachers to broaden their instructional program and provide their students with activities that require the application of math skills to solve real-life problems. This book will help students to realize the relevance and scope of mathematics in their lives."
—Melissa Taylor, middle school mathematics teacher, Point Pleasant Borough, New Jersey

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780787981792
Publisher:	Wiley
Publication date:	07/18/2006
Series:	J-B Ed: Hands On , #27
Edition description:	Revised Edition
Pages:	464
Sales rank:	994,042
Product dimensions:	8.40(w) x 10.70(h) x 1.00(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Judith A. Muschla has taught mathematics in South River, New Jersey, for over twenty-five years. She was a recipient of the 1990 - 1991 Governor's Teacher Recognition Program award in New Jersey and was named 2002 South River Public School Teacher of the Year.

Gary Robert Muschla, prolific author and classroom teacher, taught reading and writing for more than twenty-five years in Spotswood, New Jersey. Including this edition, this is the seventh math resource coauthored by Judith A. Muschla and Gary Robert Muschla. Their earlier books include The Math Teacher's Book of Lists; Math Starters!; Geometry Teacher's Activities Kit; Math Smart!; Algebra Teacher's Activities Kit; and Math Games, all published by Jossey-Bass.

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Table of Contents

About the Authors v

Acknowledgments xv

About This Book xvi

Alignment to National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Standards xvii

How to Use This Resource xix

Part One: Implementing Projects in the Math Class

Chapter One: Overview of Projects in the Math Class 3

Your Role 3

Supporting the Standards of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics 4

The Teacher’s Role During Math Projects 5

Strategies for Problem Solving 6

Problem-Solving Strategies 7

Helping Students Develop Problem-Solving Skills 8

Creating Your Own Projects 9

What It Takes to Become a Top Problem Solver 10

Sources for Developing Math Projects 11

Conclusion 12

Chapter Two: Managing Projects in Your Math Class 13

Structuring Your Class 13

Creating and Maintaining a Positive Environment 15

The Responsibilities of the Math Student 16

The Right Environment 17

Teaching Suggestions 18

Individual and Team Conferences 19

The Value of Cooperative Problem Solving 19

Organizing Teams 20

How to Set up Project Teams 21

Rules for Working in Math Teams 22

The Importance of Sharing 23

Writing in Math Class 24

Using Technology with Math Projects 24

The Writing Process and Math 25

Technology Training 27

Math Projects and the Internet 28

Conclusion 30

Chapter Three: Assessing Math Projects 31

Observation Logs 31

Individual Observation Log 32

Group Observation Log 33

Checklists 34

Possible Assessment Questions 35

Skills Checklist 36

Point Systems for Project Assessment 37

Evaluating Writing 37

Grading Projects Using a Point System 38

Suggestions for Grading Writing in Math Class 39

Self-Assessment 40

Conclusion 40

Student Self-Assessment 41

Teacher Self-Assessment 42

Part Two: The Projects

Section One: Math and Science

Project 1: The Benefits of Recycling 47

Student Guide 1.1, The Benefits of Recycling 50

Data Sheet 1.2, Some Facts About Recycling 52

Project 2: Endangered Species: Can They Be Saved? 53

Student Guide 2.1, Endangered Species: Can They Be Saved? 56

Data Sheet 2.2, Examples of Endangered Animals 58

Data Sheet 2.3, Some Facts About Endangered Species 59

Project 3: Charting Your Calories 60

Student Guide 3.1, Charting Your Calories 63

Worksheet 3.2, A Daily Calorie Chart 65

Project 4: How Many Calories Do You Burn Each Day? 66

Student Guide 4.1, How Many Calories Do You Burn Each Day? 69

Data Sheet 4.2, Caloric Expenditure and Physical Activities 71

Worksheet 4.3, A Daily Activity Chart 72

Project 5: It Is Only Natural 73

Student Guide 5.1, It Is Only Natural 76

Data Sheet 5.2, Math in Nature 77

Project 6: Designing a Flower Bed 78

Student Guide 6.1, Designing a Flower Bed 81

Data Sheet 6.2, Facts and Prices of Selected Plants 83

Worksheet 6.3, Centimeter Grid 85

Project 7: Buying a Class Aquarium 86

Student Guide 7.1, Buying a Class Aquarium 89

Data Sheet 7.2, Aquariums and Accessories 91

Project 8: The School’s New Lunch Program 92

Student Guide 8.1, The School’s New Lunch Program 95

Data Sheet 8.2, School Lunch Program 97

Worksheet 8.3, A Five-Day Menu 98

Project 9: What Is the Weather? 99

Student Guide 9.1, What Is the Weather? 102

Data Sheet 9.2, Weather Words 104

Project 10: A Flight to Mars 106

Student Guide 10.1, A Flight to Mars 109

Data Sheet 10.2, Information About the Red Planet 111

Section Two: Math and Social Studies

Project 11: A Great Mathematician 115

Student Guide, 11.1, A Great Mathematician 118

Data Sheet 11.2, Math Greats 120

Project 12: An Election Poll 121

Student Guide 12.1, An Election Poll 125

Data Sheet 12.2, Poll Points 127

Project 13: Landmarks 129

Student Guide 13.1, Landmarks 132

Data Sheet 13.2, Steps to Enlarging a Pattern 134

Project 14: Creating a Scale Map 135

Student Guide 14.1, Creating a Scale Map 138

Data Sheet, 14.2, How to Make a Map 140

Project 15: A Game: What Date Is That? 141

Student Guide 15.1, A Game: What Date Is That? 144

Data Sheet, 15.2, Ancient Number Systems 146

Project 16: An Interview to Math’s Past 148

Student Guide 16.1, An Interview to Math’s Past 151

Data Sheet 16.2, Tips for Conducting Effective Interviews 153

Project 17: Rating Consumer Products 154

Student Guide 17.1, Rating Consumer Products 157

Data Sheet 17.2, Tips for Comparing Some Everyday Products 159

Project 18: Lands of Ethnic Origin: A Statistical Potpourri 160

Student Guide 18.1, Lands of Ethnic Origin: A Statistical Potpourri 163

Data Sheet 18.2, Tips for Creating a Country’s Fact Profile Sheet 164

Project 19: A Land of Immigrants 166

Student Guide 19.1, A Land of Immigrants 169

Data Sheet 19.2, Researching Immigration 170

Project 20: The Games People Play 171

Student Guide 20.1, The Games People Play 174

Data Sheet 20.2, Games from Around the World 176

Project 21: Back to the Past 177

Student Guide 21.1, Back to the Past 180

Data Sheet 21.2, An Outline to Organization 181

Section Three: Math and Language

Project 22: Becoming the Experts 185

Student Guide 22.1, Becoming the Experts 188

Data Sheet 22.2, A Student Sample Lesson Plan Guide 190

Worksheet 22.3, A Sample Lesson Plan 191

Project 23: Great Debates 192

Student Guide 23.1, Great Debates 195

Data Sheet 23.2, An Informal Debate Structure 197

Project 24: The Mathematics Publishing Company 198

Student Guide 24.1, The Mathematics Publishing Company 201

Data Sheet 24.2, Possible Ideas for a Math Magazine 203

Project 25: Rating Math Web Sites 204

Student Guide 25.1, Rating Math Web Sites 206

Data Sheet 25.2, Tips for Rating Math Web Sites 208

Project 26: Fictional Numbers: Writing a Story 209

Student Guide 26.1, Fictional Numbers: Writing a Story 211

Data Sheet 26.2, A Revision Checklist for Stories 213

Project 27: A Mathematical Autobiography 214

Student Guide 27.1, A Mathematical Autobiography 217

Data Sheet 27.2, Organizing Your Autobiography 219

Project 28: Puzzling 220

Student Guide 28.1, Puzzling 223

Data Sheet 28.2, Puzzles, Puzzles, Puzzles 225

Project 29: Lending a Math Hand 228

Student Guide 29.1, Lending a Math Hand 231

Data Sheet 29.2, Creating a Math Booklet 233

Project 30: Sharing the Math Word 234

Student Guide 30.1, Sharing the Math Word 237

Data Sheet 30.2, A Sample Query Letter 239

Project 31: Keeping a Math Journal 240

Student Guide 31.1, Keeping a Math Journal 243

Data Sheet 31.2, Some Ideas for Math Journals 244

Project 32: Math Portfolios 245

Student Guide 32.1, Math Portfolios 248

Data Sheet 32.2, Portfolio Assessment Criteria 250

Section Four: Math and Art and Music

Project 33: Making a Math Poster 253

Student Guide 33.1, Making a Math Poster 255

Data Sheet 33.2, Pointers About Posters 257

Project 34: Creating a Logo 258

Student Guide 34.1, Creating a Logo 261

Data Sheet 34.2, Creating an Effective Logo 263

Project 35: I Wanna Be Like Escher 264

Student Guide 35.1, I Wanna Be Like Escher 267

Data Sheet 35.2, Polygon Patterns 268

Data Sheet 35.3, Steps to Making an Escher-Like Drawing 269

Worksheet 35.4, Isometric Dot Paper 270

Project 36: The Plus and Minus Comic Strip 271

Student Guide 36.1, The Plus and Minus Comic Strip 274

Data Sheet 36.2, Comic Tips 276

Project 37: Numbers and Songs 277

Student Guide 37.1, Numbers and Songs 280

Data Sheet 37.2, Tips for Writing Lyrics and Music 282

Worksheet 37.3, Music Sheet 283

Project 38: The Math in Music 284

Student Guide 38.1, The Math in Music 286

Data Sheet 38.2, Tips for Essay Writing 287

Project 39: Making Three-Dimensional Octahedra and Classroom Decorations 288

Student Guide 39.1, Making Three-Dimensional Octahedra and Classroom Decorations 291

Data Sheet 39.2, Constructing a Three-Dimensional Octahedron 293

Project 40: Creating a Greeting Card for Math Awareness Month 294

Student Guide 40.1, Creating a Greeting Card for Math Awareness Month 297

Data Sheet 40.2, Tips for Creating Math Greeting Cards 299

Project 41: The Geometry and Art of Architecture 300

Student Guide 41.1, The Geometry and Art of Architecture 303

Data Sheet 41.2, Famous Architecture Around the World 305

Project 42: Designing a Quilt Pattern 307

Student Guide 42.1, Designing a Quilt Pattern 310

Data Sheet 42.2, Creating a One-Patch Quilt Design 312

Worksheet 42.3, Quilt Design 313

Section Five: Math and Sports and Recreation

Project 43: Choosing a Membership Plan at a Health Club 317

Student Guide 43.1, Choosing a Membership Plan at a Health Club 320

Data Sheet 43.2, Power Health Club Membership Plans 322

Project 44: Equipment for the School’s Workout Room 323

Student Guide 44.1, Equipment for the School’s Workout Room 326

Data Sheet 44.2, The Cost of Exercising 328

Worksheet 44.3, Gym Equipment Order Form 330

Project 45: Comparing Sports Superstars 331

Student Guide 45.1, Comparing Sports Superstars 334

Worksheet 45.2, Sports Superstars 336

Project 46: Math and the Big Game 337

Student Guide 46.1, Math and the Big Game 340

Worksheet 46.2, Tracking the Stats 342

Project 47: Your Unique Exercise Program 343

Student Guide 47.1, Your Unique Exercise Program 346

Data Sheet 47.2, Your Training Range 349

Project 48: The Big Dance 351

Student Guide 48.1, The Big Dance 354

Data Sheet 48.2, The Costs of a Big Dance 356

Worksheet 48.3, The Big Dance Cost/Revenue Tally Sheet 357

Project 49: The Numbers Game 358

Student Guide 49.1, The Numbers Game 361

Worksheet 49.2, Number Phrases 362

Project 50: Planning a Sundae Party 365

Student Guide 50.1, Planning a Sundae Party 369

Data Sheet 50.2, Prices for a Sundae Party 371

Worksheet 50.3, Tallying the Costs of a Sundae Party 372

Project 51: Going on Vacation 373

Student Guide 51.1, Going on Vacation 376

Data Sheet 51.2, The Costs of a Great Vacation 378

Worksheet 51.3, Calculating Vacation Costs 379

Section Six: Math and Life Skills

Project 52: Making a Budget 383

Student Guide 52.1, Making a Budget 386

Data Sheet 52.2, Tips for Making a Budget 388

Worksheet 52.3, Working on Your Budget 389

Project 53: A Floor Plan of My Room 390

Student Guide 53.1, A Floor Plan of My Room 393

Data Sheet 53.2, How to Measure a Room 395

Worksheet 53.3, A Grid for a Floor Plan 396

Project 54: The Costs of Pets 397

Student Guide 54.1, The Costs of Pets 400

Data Sheet 54.2, Cost Factors to Consider in Choosing a Pet 402

Project 55: Maintaining a Math Class Web Site 403

Student Guide 55.1, Maintaining a Math Class Web Site 407

Data Sheet 55.2, Tips for Building a Web Site 409

Project 56: Selecting a Sound System Using the Internet 410

Student Guide 56.1, Selecting a Sound System Using the Internet 413

Worksheet 56.2, The Best Sound System 414

Project 57: Buying a Car 415

Student Guide 57.1, Buying a Car 418

Data Sheet 57.2, Car Costs 420

Worksheet 57.3, A Car Buyer’s Cost Sheet 421

Project 58: What Is on the Test? 422

Student Guide 58.1, What Is on the Test? 425

Data Sheet 58.2, Elements of a Good Math Test 427

Project 59: Checks and Balances 428

Student Guide 59.1, Checks and Balances 431

Data Sheet 59.2, Keeping a Balanced Checking Account 433

Data Sheet 59.3, Debits, Credits, and ATMs 434

Worksheet 59.4, Practice Checks 435

Worksheet 59.5, A Check Register and Deposit Forms 436

Project 60: Math in My Life: An Assessment 437

Student Guide 60.1, Math in My Life: An Assessment 440

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"The projects in this book will enable teachers to broaden their instructional program and provide their students with activities that require the application of math skills to solve real-life problems. This book will help students to realize the relevance and scope of mathematics in their lives."
—Melissa Taylor, middle school mathematics teacher, Point Pleasant Borough, New Jersey