| PROCESS STANDARDS* | CONTENT STANDARDS* |
| Problem Solving | Number and Operations |
| Reasoning and Proof | Geometry and Spatial Sense |
| Communication | Measurement |
| Connections | Patterns, Functions and Algebra |
| Representations | Data Analysis, Statistics, Probability |
*According to the N.C.T.M.'s Principles and Standards for School Mathematics (PSSM) 2000 document.
In the "Water Waster" Challenge, students have opportunities to employ all five process standards. They will problem solve as they search for pertinent information in the challenge, and decide on a strategy for solving a problem where the answer is not immediately obvious. They reason as carefully analyze the words in the problem for meaning, choose the appropriate operation and sequence for working through the problem, and again as they justify their solution. They should have opportunities to communicate about their solution by discussing it with classmates, parents, and teachers, as well as by posting their written solution on the message board, and communicating via the message board with other students from around the world solve. Students will see how mathematics can help them understand important world problems, such as water conservation, thus making important connections between mathematics and the science of ecology. Finally, they will have opportunities to create and use representations (drawings, charts, words, equations, manipulatives, etc.) to provide a record of their efforts to understand the mathematics of this challenge and make their understanding available to others.
About the Mathematics Involved in This Challenge:
The "Water Waster " challenge requires that children work with the number and operations content strand of mathematics. They will need to subtract to find the savings gained by hand washing dishes, then multiply (or add repeatedly) that savings by the number of times dishes are washed during the weekend. Figuring out how many washings and teeth brushings will occur requires good number sense and computation skills. The challenge is just complicated enough so that the children need to do some careful thinking about the total savings.
Modifications For Younger Learners:
Adults may decide to modify this problem by just using the portion about tooth brushing, and perhaps limiting it to how many times Gina would brush her teeth. Using drawings of toothbrushes or tallying on a calendar may make the problem more assessable to younger thinkers.
About the Challenge:
It has always concerned me that math is portrayed as something sterile and impersonal that happens mainly between the covers of a math text -- You open the book, you do the problems, you close the book and move on. Real math is not like that. Real math is a vital tool used for solving problems, ranging from how to make life easier to how to make life better. Imagine how math could be involved in helping children understand the many real problems that face us as citizens.
This challenge about saving water is an example of "environmental mathematics" -- mathematics that is used to explore and explain how our actions affect the environment. Environmentalists know that efforts to conserve natural resources are hampered by two prevalent influences:
1. People don't understand the situation
2. People don't think they can make a difference in correcting the
situation.
When children actively participate in environmental mathematics*, they begin to understand mathematically, both the problems of over consumption and waste and how every individual effort counts. Environmental math problems help young learners see how math is used for a reason with which they can readily identify: to preserve and protect our world.
Mathematics is easily connected to environmental issues. Some ideas include:
Teachers and parents who are interested in helping children participate in environmental mathematics will get many useful suggestions from the book Counting On A Small Planet: Activities for Environmental Mathematics by Ann and Johnny Baker (Heinemann publishers, 1991. ISBN-435-08327-9) The topics suggested for use in this book will give children insights into the way math can help to explain how our universe is affected by irresponsible use of resources, and also how math can help in figuring out what to do about the problem.
Just some of the mathematics activities described in this book include:
The book also contains fact files, which spark additional mathematical investigations for learners of all ages.
Aunty Math problems, copyright 2002, Angela G. Andrews. You may download, print and make copies of "Aunt Mathilda's Math Challenges" for use in your classroom provided that you include the copyright notice shown on that page with all copies.
Copyright 2002 DuPage Children's Museum. All rights reserved.
http://www.DuPageChildrensMuseum.org
