Family Math Night

Family Math Night Assignment

Have an idea ready by: TBAMarch 7, 2011

Draft Lesson Plan and Parent Handout DUE: March 23, 2011

Implement Plan at Math Night: Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Final Lesson Plan, Final Parent Handout and Reflection DUE: Monday, April 11, 2011

Value: 10% of your total grade

Click here to download rubric.

A Family Math Night is a community event generally sponsored by a school and organized by teachers. The event involves organizing a set of mathematical activities which can show both children and parents how math is around us, how math can be fun, and how fun math activities can be done at home.

Your job will be to create a math table for a family math night. You will work with a partner for this event. However, because of the number of children expected, each of you will need to teach the activity on your own.

This semester, our Family Math Night will at Smith Elementary School in Cortland from 6:30 - 8:00 pm. You will need to arrive at Smith School by 5:30 pm. We can arrange carpools if you need a ride. We will be working with students in grades K-3.

Because some of these elementary school students are preparing for the New York State Math Tests, which are connected to the NYS Math Learning Standards, we want to educate students and their families on the types of math covered by these standards. Activities should be fun, but should also support the NYS Math Standards. In class, I will be giving you some ideas about the kinds of activities that are appropriate.

During the night, families will rotate through the different activities at different times. The activity at your table should take about 10 minutes for a group of people to complete. When they complete your activity, they will move on to another activity. You should probably plan on 15-20 groups coming to your table during the evening.

Not all families will be coming to your tables at the same time. You may be working with one group, and another group may approach you to join in. You will have to decide how you will best deal with this informal situation.

Here are some guidelines for creating a math night table:

1. Choose an activity that is somewhat self-explanatory - it should be simple enough that families can do it at home with materials they have around the house.

2. Provide clear and attractive visuals and directions so that people can start the activity on their own.

3. Create a large sign or poster to label your table. Choose a title that gives some clue as to what the station involves.

4. Choose activities which students can do and which are fun.

5. Connect your activity to ONE NYS math PROCESS Standard and ONE math CONTENT Standard. Make a visual to let your audience know which standard your activity will address.

6. Create a handout for parents to take with them that will give them ideas or instructions for doing similar activities at home. THIS IS CRUCIAL!!

7. Think about the supplies your activity will require. We want to keep costs low and also model for parents how learning can take place with items we have around the house. Whatever supplies you need, make sure you have plenty on hand. Both SUNY Cortland and the schools have LOTS of materials you can use - so CHECK WITH ME BEFORE YOU GO SHOPPING!!

Timeline:

By March 7, have some idea of the activity you will be doing. This should be word-processed and include who is in your group and what each person in your group will be doing for this project.

By March 23, have a draft of your lesson plan and parent handout to me.

By April 6, have your revised lesson plan complete and be ready to do your activity at Math Night.

By April 11, turn in your math night packet - This includes your lesson plan (drafts and final copies), parent handout (drafts and final copy), and a written reflection from each person in your group.

Requirements:

1. Meet all deadlines.

2. Submit a lesson plan draft and a draft of your parent letter.

3. Complete a final version of your lesson plan with connections to NYS Standards.

4. Be prepared for your activity on Math Night.

5. Have a parent handout ready to give to parents.

6. Have a sign for your table and to identify relevant MST Standards.

7. Participate in Math Night.

8. Write a Math Night Reflection.

Resources for finding math night activities:

Everyday Math Series (on reserve in the library)

Investigations in Data, Number and Space (in the TMC Reference Section)