Are you an upper elementary math teacher looking for engaging ideas to bring real world application in the math classroom? This article is the 8th in my “Ultimate Guide to Guided Math” series. To start at the beginning, check out the first post. Check it out by clicking the image below:
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So far, you have:
- Introduced a new math skill to your students, provided them with time to practice, and assessed their initial understanding. (Day 1)
- Used your formative assessment to drive instruction and provided more practice with the new skill. (Day 2)
- Taught your small group lessons while students work on math centers independently. (Days 3 and 4)
Now your students are ready to apply what they have learned in a meaningful and engaging way…
Why are Real World Applications Important in Math?
Have you ever heard the question: “But..why do we have to learn this? I’m never going to use this in real life!”?
If you have been in a classroom longer than 17 minutes, then the answer is “YES!”
When teachers can build in a real world application activity to allow students to explore math content in an engaging and meaningful way, students will begin to see the relevance of the math skill.
Yes, this is dependent upon the math skill and the activity. But for the most part, when students can see a math skill in action, where they have to put the knowledge to use solving a puzzle, or problem solving in a way that relates to real world experience they can see the relevance of learning that particular skill.
Real world applications in the math classroom are important for building independence, useful for developing problem solving skills, and perfect for motivating students as they work towards a common goal.
What are Some Ways a Teacher Can Connect Mathematical Ideas to Real World Activities?
Make the activity feel real! Provide students with themed activities that require them to work toward a solution.
This builds teamwork skills and problem solving skills that they otherwise would not be developing if they were sitting and working on their own solving some rote problems.
In addition to providing students with the opportunity to apply real world practice on day 5 of your guided math routine, you will also want to use this day to give a quick assessment of the skill so you can ensure that students are on track to build on the following week with a new math skill.
Assessing Students in the Math Classroom
There are many types of assessment, as you already know, but my suggestion during day 5 of guided math is to assess students formally through the use of a short one page quiz. The quiz should cover only the math skill that students have been focusing on during the previous week’s math learning, rather than a spiral type assessment.
My recommendation would be to have your students complete the quiz during the first part of your math block and then the last part they can participate in the application activity. That way you can make sure the quiz will be completed and if necessary the activity can be picked up at a later time. This is especially helpful if you are working on a grading scale system and you have to “take grades”.
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I hope you have enjoyed this article about how to implement real world application in the math classroom. Join me in the next part of the series for a look at spiral review strategies in the upper elementary math classroom.
