Sarah Moon 2015-2016

Pike County

Sarah Moon 2015-2016

Pike County

Snapshot

Project Title: Algebra Pride! (A Project-Based Learning Approach to Systems

Learning Innovation Grant Recipient

In high school algebra, oftentimes I find students merely memorizing patterns and procedures in order to pass an assessment. While drill, practice and memorization is important for developing a skill base, it does not take students to a level of deep understanding of the content. In order to help my Algebra 2 students develop a deeper understanding of systems of inequalities, they will jump feet first into project- based learning in order to design a creative and original fence-art display for our baseball field. I will launch the project by giving students a budget of $1000 to create a fence design using “put-in-cups” (a patented product used for school-spirited fence displays). Classes will visit the baseball field fence, mark off the design area, and calculate their own space constraint. With the constraints of budget and space, they will create designs as groups and present their mathematical findings to their classmates. The student body will vote on a winning fence design to be displayed on the baseball field fence. Through this real life problem-solving activity, students will discover and develop a depth of understanding about key topics from systems of linear inequalities: constraints, feasible region and points of intersection. They will experience the topic in a real way and be expected to communicate their group’s mathematical findings to their classmates through a media presentation.