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LEADERSHIP, LEARNING, &  PErsonal Growth

Inquiry and Maths at Work in Athletics (Grade 4)

4/26/2012

5 Comments

 
In preparation for our elementary sports day at Nanjing International School, I am preparing the students by having them work at improving their technique in various events. In today's PE class, the grade 4 students had to put on their thinking caps and show some inquiry and math skills as they had to predict, record, and figure out differences based on their personal results in 4 events: 400-meter run, 50-meter sprint, boot throw, and standing long jump. 

At the start of class, we had a general discussion about the 4 events and talked about which strategies were best. They spoke about it with their peers, coming up with ideas and sharing these ideas with the class. I then handed out the worksheet you see in picture below. You can see the central idea that is at work in this unit on the sheet as well. 

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After handing out the worksheets, the students had to predict their results in each of the events that they were going to take part in. We discussed the importance of putting thought into these predictions and to really think about the concept of time in minutes and seconds, as well as, the concept of distance in meters and centimeters

Is predicting a form of inquiry? 
 As the students are making mental connections to time and distance, thinking about relevant units of measurement and how to apply these units of measurement to athletics events, I do believe that true and authentic inquiry is at work. You can see from the picture on the left that the students were engaged in conversation with one another, sharing ideas, and helping each other to make predictions. 

How is maths involved in this lesson?
 Maths is at work right from the get go as the students are thinking about time and distance, units of measurement, and having to record predictions and actual results. To complete this process, the students had to figure out how far off their prediction was from their actual result and record this in the last column of their worksheet. 

Example Student Assessment From This Lesson........

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To Sum Up
The lesson was very interesting in the fact that the students not only worked very hard running, jumping, and throwing, they loved it when their result and prediction were close. Some remembered some of their results from last April and wrote these numbers in as predictions only to find that they were much improved since last year's Athletics unit. 

A fun class to be a part of today!!!
5 Comments
rebeccawhite7383
5/1/2012 10:55:41 am

Hey Andy,
This looks great! I too have just finished a great integration with my Grade Fours with Math and Athletics. The students have been using their data from their athletic events (we used 100m sprint, hurdles, long jump, 400m run, and the students choose either shot put, discus or softball throw) in their math lessons. I have been working with the math teachers in this grade, and their math investigation has been focused on using their own results and graphing their data, and working out math problems. For example one of the questions was they had to work out where on the 100m track they needed to start if they were racing Usain Bolt, to finish at exactly the same time as him.
I think thats it great that they can use data that is their own to make it more real. This is the first time that I have integrated PE with the students math class, but am hoping to do it more often now as there is such a great link.
Rebecca

Reply
andy vasily link
5/1/2012 11:12:50 am

Rebecca, I love your math integration. Very cool indeed, especially figuring out where on the track they would need to start to race Usain Bolt. Can you scan any of the work you have done and do a write up. I will use you as a guest blogger. Let me know, OK. Talk soon!

Reply
Rebecca
5/8/2012 11:49:39 am

Hey Andy,
Sorry I have just seen your comment today. I'll try and get some examples sent through to you in the next few days.
Rebecca

Reply
Dr. swati Sawant
5/9/2012 05:31:43 pm

WOW! Your work has impressed me! Dr. Swati Sawant

Reply
ALFA link
9/8/2012 03:39:17 pm

hope i'll apply in my journey.......... !!!!

Reply



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    KAUST Faculty, Pedagogical Coach. Presenter & Workshop Leader.IB Educator. #RunYourLife podcast host. 
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Helping Kids to Achieve Their Best
  • Welcome
  • The Aligned Leader Blog
  • Consulting and Coaching Opportunities
  • My TED X Talk
  • My Leadership Blog
  • Run Your Life Podcast Series
  • How PYP PE with Andy Has Helped Others
  • Good Teaching is L.I.F.E
  • The Sportfolio
  • Example Assessment Tasks
  • PYP Attitude Posters (printable)
  • Publications