Market Math
Spotlighting math and technology in a Middle School farmers' market
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GARDEN BED, GRIDS, and PLANTING
Session Duration: 45 mins x 2 Lessons || Grade Level: 5-6
Objectives
In this series, students can explore different ways to set up garden bed grids. This series offers tactile options to playout garden bed grid formations and to utilize technology-enhanced programs for added visualization. Exploring ‘friendships’ between plants allow students to research compatible companion plants to maximize growth and production!
BIG IDEA: Understand there may be more than one solution possible but some may be more favourable depending on parameters and limitations.
Link to Experiential Learning Cycle
Technology FOR Education
Mathigon: Polypad with Grid settings. Create blueprints for garden bed dimensions.
Explore Learning Gizmos: Fido's FlowerBed (Area and Perimeter)
Garden Bed Puzzle: Explore different types of perennials and how their height may impact their visibility
Research using online sources for background information and knowledge on plants and garden zones.
Plant identification apps, such as Picture This (Apple) (Google Play)
Suggested sites: Heeman's Beginner's Guide to Planting, Better Gardening and Home, Kids' Gardening, Garden Tabs
Outline
Outline
TEACHER NOTES - INTRODUCTION:
Garden beds are a fun way to explore mathematical concepts and to gain concrete and active experimentation! Students are encouraged to use craft supplies, such as popsicle sticks or toothpicks to create miniature models of their garden beds. Extensions could include building their own!
MATHEMATICAL LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Multiples and factors pairs
The area of rectangular prisms
The perimeter of rectangular prisms
Problem-solving
Extension: Volume, area, and perimeter of polygons
SKILL-BASED OUTCOMES (Core Competencies/Approaches to Learning Skills)
Thinking (Critical and Creative)
Designing and developing
Reflecting and assessing
Collaboration
ACTIVITY INSTRUCTIONS :
Active Experimentation: Explore the different scenarios using limitations to a set:
a) Area
b) Perimeter.
Concrete Experimentation: In-class options: Use popsicle sticks or toothpicks to represent 1m increments. Outdoor options: Use 1m sticks to layout outline
Abstract Conceptualization: Envisioning height visibility through the Garden Bed Puzzle Game, Polypad grid designs, Explore Learning (Gizmo's) flower bed investigation.
TECHNOLOGY for EDUCATION
Mathigon: Polypad with Grid settings. Create blueprints for garden bed dimensions.
Explore Learning Gizmos: Fido's FlowerBed (Area and Perimeter)
Garden Bed Puzzle: Explore different types of perennials and how their height may impact their visibility
SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL:
Garden Bed Activity Powerpoint
Garden Bed Puzzle
Fido's Flower Bed (Explore Learning) Handout
What should be planted with what? Which plants are the best companions for each other?
Outline
Outline
TEACHER NOTES - INTRODUCTION:
Plants have likes and dislikes too! In fact, there are certain ones they prefer over others. By planting them with their “friends”, there is a better chance of creating a more compatible growing environment for the plants to flourish!
MATHEMATICAL LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Problem-solving
Patterns and relations
SKILL-BASED OUTCOMES (Core Competencies/Approaches to Learning Skills)
Thinking (Critical and Creative)
Designing and developing
Reflecting and assessing
Collaboration
Research Skills (Information Literacy)
ACTIVITY INSTRUCTIONS :
Active Experimentation: Use blocks or beads to represent different fruits and vegetables to determine where it would be best to plant within a garden bed. See PP for scenarios.
Concrete Experimentation: During the spring, plant seedlings or starter plants and make observations of growth. Consider factors such as seasonal temperature, rainfall, pests, etc.
Reflective Observation: What factors impacted production? What would have been done differently? What are some changes that could be made for next year’s growing season?
TECHNOLOGY for EDUCATION
Research using online sources for background information and knowledge on plants and garden zones.
Plant identification apps, such as Picture This available through (Apple) (Google Play)
Suggested sites:
Heeman's Beginner's Guide to Planting
SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL
Sample Student Handout, Activities and Downloadable Packages
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