Week 7: Activity Reflection

 

This week, I opted for Sarah Chase's "Dancing Combinatorics: Phases and Tides" activity, and I decided to try it out with my daughters Zainab and Yumna using 3x4 dance sequences. 

after creating the movements, I noticed that along with symmetry and pattern, angles can be taught best by using whole-body movements.

Extended Activity: 

Another method involved Zainab clapping every 4 beats while Yumna clapping every 3 beats. Consequently, they repeated the claps simultaneously after 12 beats, illustrating the concept of multiples, factors, least common multiple, and number patterns. Algebraic variables can also be introduced such as 4m and 3n, leading to form an equation of synchronized point.

Graphical illustration of Beat Activity: A star shows 3 beats and a circle shows 4 beats and can be seen that both beats can overlap after 12 sequences.

Curriculum Sketch:

Issues/ Guiding Questions: 

How can we effectively engage students in mathematical concepts through embodied learning activities like dance, rhythmic beats, and hand movements?

The Story:

The story of exploring mathematical concepts like multiplication and patterns through Sarah Chase’s dance movements and sequences in Math Classroom.

Integrating Embodied Learning & Other Learning:

Embodied learning techniques are seamlessly integrated into the curriculum, allowing students to physically engage with mathematical concepts. Through dance clapping and hand movements, students embody abstract mathematical ideas, fostering a deeper understanding through kinesthetic experiences.

Possible Extensions:

Students collaborate to create dance and rhythmic sequences, experimenting with different beats and patterns to learn multiplication. Students can use dance to explore concepts like symmetry, transformations, and graphs. Students can use rhythmic beats to make algebraic expressions and equations.

Implementing the Curriculum:

Introduction: Introduce the concept of multiples, symmetry, and transformation through Sarah Chase’s dance form.

Embodied Learning Activities: Engage students in dance and hand movement sequences, guiding them to discover patterns and synchronization points.

Reflection & Discussion: Facilitate reflective discussions to consolidate learning, encouraging students to articulate their understanding of mathematical concepts.

Extension Activities: Provide opportunities for students to extend their learning in Algebra and graphs through creative projects, cultural explorations, and interdisciplinary connections.

Assessment: Assess student understanding through performance tasks, collaborative projects, and, allowing for multiple forms of expression and evaluation.