Observe – Constructivism in Primary Mathematics

Try It!

Now it’s time to measure the height of your group members. Gather the materials that you will need and find a space to work with your group.

Chose someone to record using a “Think Board” or record your work on the back of the chart paper you used in the previous step.

Challenge: Can you compare your group members’ heights? How much taller or shorter are you than your friend? Who is the tallest? Who is the shortest? What makes it easy or difficult to compare heights? (teacher note: this challenge can be used in the future for the whole class using the same design process).

Technology link: If iPads are available, each group can record their work using an application such as ShowMe or 30 Hands to take pictures and annotate.

*Think Boards are a resource found in First Steps in Mathematics, a resource developed for the Australian Department of Education. I have laminated A4 papers divided into four with the headings; problem, materials, picture and numbers in the class that students use to show their thinking and solve problems.