21st+Century+Math+and+Science

21st Century Math and Science ICT Math Map ICT Science Map

Math - Communication Skills Math Sample Outcome - 8th Grade : Present written explanation of problem solving process and solution with included diagrams, tables, charts, and graphs as needed.

Sample Activity : I have students write out their step-by-step process for some problems on homework. This year, I want to have my students create a BitStrip, where they explain a math concept through a character. For my 7th grade classes, they will be creating the BitStrip from a Pirate perspective so hopefully that catches their interest. I also have some problem solving activities where I put the students in groups of four. I split a word problem into 4 parts (maybe a sentence on each card). I distribute the cards to each group, where each student has a responsibility: leader, recorder, checker, and reporter. The jobs are designated by a colored dot on the back of each index card or "clue" to the problem. Everyone participates and helps to solve the word problem. Because I can distribute the cards individually if I want, I can choose someone who is often quieter in class to be the reporter. That way, that student is responsible for reporting back to me the answer and, more importantly, the reasoning behind it.

Math - Critical Thinking and Systems Thinking Math Sample Outcome - 8th Grade ** : Solve problems using computation, customary and metric measurements, scale factors, ratios, and proportions. **

Sample Activity ** : When my 7th graders go over ratios and proportions, I have a "Dream House" activity that I do with them. We use ratios and proportions to make a blueprint for their dream house. They also compute the area of each room in their house. In the past, the students have drawn the blueprint on grid paper after setting up a scale. This year, I would like to take it one step further and use some sort of 3-dimensional building software such as Lego Digital Designer or Google Sketch-Up. This project would help students see the real work application of ratios and proportions, while they get to design something of their own. **

Science - Information Literacy

Science Sample Outcome - 8th Grade : Students are able to locate reliable scientific information in reputable reference books, back issues of journals and magazines, on websites, and in computer databases.

Sample Activity : In the fall, I do an activity with my 6th grade science class where each student works with a partner to research a biome. They are required to use text and internet sources. The end result is a multimedia project, where they can choose the format. They can make an iMovie, Comic Life, Keynote, iWeb, etc. We discuss the importance of accurate and factual information and what reliable sources are. Also, in the spring, we do an activity similar to that where the students can choose a chapter in the book that we did not cover, and they can research and complete some activities based on their research. They have a Tic-Tac-Toe board which allows them to choose their projects that they want to complete based on the information they find. Again, students are looking in reference books, journals, and websites to find the information.

Science - Initiative and Self-Direction Science Sample Outcome - 8th Grade : Students are aware of the broad range of careers and pastimes that involve scientific inquiry.

Sample Activity <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">: Going off of the above activity from the spring, the students do some research on career fields related to the topic they are researching. One of the choices is to make a "Wanted Ad" for that specialist. They need to include any requirements, what the job entails, and what the interests should be. I think that for a 6th grade level, this is a great introduction to some different careers and fields that students may be interested in.