Mathematics Inquiry: Practical Application of Big Ideas in Mathematics

[A Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 5 Poster Session/Workshop]

By

University Students from the Faculty of Education, University of Regina

At the

National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Regional Conference

October 17, 2002

Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada

This session will feature 30 hands-on mathematics exhibits created by 60 preservice teachers in Early Childhood (Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 3), and Elementary Education (Kindergarten to Grade 5) Mathematics Education classes in the Faculty of Education at the University of Regina. These students have made personal investigations into mathematical questions that have interested them. They have researched these questions and created practical activities to engage young learners with the mathematical ideas. You are invited to browse the exhibits, to ask questions, and to interact with the activities and with the students.

Below is a chart listing all the students and their mathematical questions. If you would like further information about any question or activity please e-mail Vi Maeers (maeers@uregina.ca) and specify the question or the students' names and we will try to supply you with more information. Please also check out the mathed website at http://education.uregina.ca/mathed and scroll down the mathed homepage for section 40 (Early Childhood) or section 20 (Elementary Education) math inquiry questions for NCTM. We will be posting more information at these links as the students complete their assignments.

When the students began searching for information on their questions they were directed to some math web sites as follows:

NCTM website -- http://www.nctm.org

Illuminations site -- http://illuminations.nctm.org/index2.html

Math Forum -- http://www.mathforum.org

Pac Bell -- http://www.kn.pacbell.com/wired/bluewebn/

Math Central -- http://mathcentral.uregina.ca

Mathed searchable database -- http://dev.www.uregina.ca/mathed

Object factory at http://www.schoolnet.ca/vp-pv/amof/index.html

Mathematics and Computer Science Hotlist -- http://sln.fi.edu/tfi/hotlists/math.html

Math Forum links at http://mathforum.org/library/levels/p/ for Pre-K-grade 2 and http://mathforum.org/library/levels/elem1/ for grades 3-5 and a general link for primary children at http://mathforum.org/varnelle/index.html
Math Cats at http://www.mathcats.com/

Eric Database for journal articles and online fulltext articles -- http://ericir.syr.edu/Eric/

Section 40 -- Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 3 group

Names	Math Inquiry Question	Comments
Jen Beattie and Nicole Welder	How can cryptograms make children into mathematical thinkers?
Trisha Bennett and Brandy Knourek	Stonehenge in the Mathematics Realm
Sandra Bratkoski and Jillian Logel	What is the mathematics involved in building bridges?
Trina Delanoy and Kristin Uzelman	What mathematical concepts are involved in magic?
Dennie Fornwald and Lydia Gee	How does our calendar system work? How did we get the system we have?
Jennifer Green and Chantal Kress	How can smarties be used to teach graphing and estimation concepts?
Kim Hornung and Lisa Morgan	How do people of different professions use mathematics in their daily lives?
Erin Mazenc and Wendy Olson	How is Fibonacci represented in music?
Melissa McCartney and Jaye Smith	What is ethnomathematics? How can we incorporate other cultures' mathematics into our classroom?
Karen Miller and David Smith	How does a computer perform an operation?
Tammy Neufeld and Lindsay Wentzell	How do thermometers work and how do they apply to mathematics?
Courtney Nicolson and Melina Reich	Ever wonder about ... Tessellations--an invitation to math?
Danielle Ozirny and Angela Sparks	What mathematical patterns can be found in indigenous art?
Cassandra Smith and Beckie Young	How is math related to the arch shape?

Section 20 -- Kindergarten to Grade 5 group

Names	Math Inquiry Question	Comments
Jenny Aldred and Jane Robertson	How can a code be broken?
Sarah Brown and Victoria Sharp	What is conservation and why is it so important to an understanding of mathematics?
Yvonne Brown and Melissa Pusch	What is the significance and relevance of the abacus?
Courtney Campbell and Chantal Knelson	What mathematics is involved in the running of a roller coaster?
Rebecca Dueck and Kim Stadel	What is the significance of number 10 as the base of our number system?
Michelle Ehrmantraut and Kirsten Moore	What mathematical vocabulary is used in the primary grades?
Lindsay Enns and Brea Hainstock	Why do geese fly in a v-shape?
Erin Forman and Jodie Hendrikson	How can statistics bend the truth?
Salema Forrest and Allison Norbeck	What is the Fibonacci Sequence and where can it be found in nature?
Jennifer Friesen and Tanya Krchov	How can large numbers be represented concretely?
Korrin Graham and Chad Lechner	What is the importance of the number zero in the understanding of mathematics?
Kristina Greenley and Ashley Teske	What makes up a calendar and where does our modern calendar come from?
Erin Lindenbach and Carol Cunningham	Why are our present day calendars organized the way they are?
Chandra McNabb and Janelle Towler	What is a geodesic dome and why is it used in construction?
Christine Ruten and Nikki Senft	What role does mathematics have in the formation and movement of tidal waves?
Jill Ryan and Murray Sidebottom	Why are decimals so important in timing?