Math Facts Mania

Credits:

Christine Cervera

Mt. View Elementary, Broomfield, CO

christine.cervera@adams12.org

Date Created: 1/28/2003 1:31:53 PM EST

 

Subject Matter:

Elementary, Mathematics

 

Grades:

2-3

 

Software Application:

StarOffice Calc and Writer

 

 

 

Summary:

Students have target goals to reach on correctly answering a given number of basic addition and subtraction facts. This activity allows them to graph their progress toward these goals and analyze their graph.

 

 

 

 

State & National Standards:

CO- Colorado Academic Standards

´ Subject : Mathematics

´ Standard 3: Students use data collection and analysis, statistics, and probability in problem-solving situations and communicate the reasoning used in solving these problems.

Statistics are used to understand how information is processed and translated into usable knowledge. Through the study of statistics, students learn to collect, organize, and summarize information. Students also need to know how to interpret data and make decisions based on their interpretations. Probability is part of this standard because statistical data are often used to predict the likelihood of future events and outcomes. Students learn probability - the study of chance - so that numerical data can be used to predict future events as well as record the past. A command of statistics and probability is important in adult life.

´ Grade/Level : CO- Colorado Academic Standards

´ Grade/Level : Grades K-4

 Performance Indicator 3.1: Constructing, reading, and interpreting displays of data including tables, charts, pictographs, and bar graphs

 Performance Indicator 3.2: Interpreting data using the concepts of largest, smallest, most often, and middle
´ Standard 6: Students link concepts and procedures as they develop and use computational techniques, including estimation, mental arithmetic, paper-and-pencil, calculators, and computers, in problem-solving situations and communicate the reasoning used in solving these problems.

Computation is an indispensable part of mathematics and our daily lives. We use it to balance our checkbooks, figure our taxes, and make business decisions. The basic facts of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division are similarly indispensable. Today's students must be able to use a variety of computational tools and techniques including estimation, mental arithmetic, paper-and-pencil, calculators, and computers. Estimation and mental arithmetic serve a practical function in our daily lives, and help students develop meaning for numbers and understanding of number relationships. The use of calculators and computers is not intended to replace proficiency with basic facts. Appropriate uses of calculators and computers include solving real-world problems that may involve tedious or time-consuming computations or exploring number patterns to develop understanding of numbers and number relationships. Proficiency with basic facts is essential for knowing when and how to use each of these tools and techniques. Computational skill is related to "operation sense". Students with operation sense know when and how to use addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, and are able to apply them to solve real-world problems. Students build operation sense by modeling their understanding of number operations and their properties, by describing how number operations are related to one another, and by seeing how the use of a particular operation changes the value of the numbers involved. Computational skill and operation sense go hand in hand with number sense. When children have a well-developed sense of number and operations, they can more easily evaluate the reasonableness of their solutions. The ability to apply computational skills and operation sense will extend students' mathematical power by giving them confidence in their ability to work with numbers and to solve problems in a variety of situations.

´ Grade/Level : CO- Colorado Academic Standards

´ Grade/Level : Grades K-4

 Performance Indicator 6.3: Demonstrating understanding of and proficiency with basic addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division facts without the use of a calculator

 

Local Standards:

INSTRUCTIONAL Technology Skills Continuum

Standard #2: Students use technology tools to enhance learning, increase productivity, and promote creativity.

- Begins to enter and edit data in a prepared spreadsheet and/or graphing program

- Uses special function keys such as: tab, number pad keys, keyboard shortcuts, alt, control and symbols ($, #, %, etc.).

- Edits text by using select /deselect, cut/copy/paste, delete, and undo.

- Places the cursor at a specific location.

 

Lesson Outcomes:

Students are expected to correctly answer 80/100 addition problems and 70/100 subtraction problems on five minute timed tests. Students are also expected to enter data for a bar graph and analyze the results.

 

Assessment:

Students are expected to enter the data correctly and score at least a three on the attached rubric.

 

Assessment/Rubrics:

Rubrics:

Math Facts Mania  

 

Student Prerequisites:

Students need to take the timed math test each month. They need to have an understanding of how to access a spreadsheet and enter data. They also need to know how to access a document template. Students need to understand what facts can be gained by looking at a graph.

 

Lesson Preparation:

Teacher needs to create a spreadsheet template for students. Teacher also creates a word processing template for students to analyze the graph. Teacher grades, records and informs students of math test results.

 

Time Frame:

3 class periods. 50 Min. per class.

 

Implementation Steps:

1. Give timed math tests to students each month.

2. Grade, record and inform students of their progress.

3. In the Sun Lab, students log in, open Star Office, and open the Math Facts Mania spreadsheet template.

4. Students use test results to enter data in appropriate cells on spreadsheet.

5. Students print the completed graph and bring it back to their computer so they can begin analysis.

6. Students open up the "Analyze your Graph" word processing template.

7. Students write at least three facts about their graph.

8. Students print the analysis and staple the two papers together to turn in.

9. This activity is meant to be done multiple times throughout the year so students can practice analyzing their graph and keep track of how they are progressing on their basic math facts.

 

Lesson Resources:

Attachments:

 1.     Math Facts Spreadsheet

 2.     Student Analysis

 

Product(s) Description:

Completed spreadsheet and paragraph the analyzes the same.

 

 

Comments:

The main problem I encountered with this lesson was that many of my second graders were not analyzing their graphs correctly. Some of them wanted to make comments such as 'I like math.' or 'Addition is better than subtraction.' that did not tell about their graph. The great thing about this lesson is that since it is designed to be used throughout the year, you can talk with kids about these problems so they can improve them the next time they graph their data.

 

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Student Prompt:

Name:

Analyze your graph
Study your graph. Write at least three things you can tell by looking at your graph.
1.

2.

3.

 

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Download the Math Facts spreadsheet:

StarOffice Calc

Microsoft Excel

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