Amanda's Math Learning Path

Islamic Art is such a beautiful example of a marriage between art and math. Islamic Art consists of complex geometric designs. The patterns are infinite repeats which is symbolic of the infinite nature of Allah (God). As shapes intersect new patterns and shapes are formed. These intricate designs are breathtaking and complex, yet even students with very little artistic talent can be successful in creating a beautiful Islamic inspired design. First a few samples of Islamic Designs: Arabesque: rhythmic linear patterns which consists of scrolling and interlacing foliage and curved lines. Girih designs are made up of 5 shapes- a decagon, an elongated hexagon, a bow tie, a rhombus, and a pentagon. See below: Examples of Girih Patterns: There are a few ways that you can have your students create and Islamic inspired design.  First here is a link to a website that they can use to create a girih pattern of their own. Below are a few worksheets yo...

In this post I am going to look at 3rd grade math. What are the students supposed to know going into 3rd grade and what are they expected to learn. What are the students expected to know going into 3rd grade: 1. Extended understanding of base-ten notation. 2. Fluent in addition and subtraction. 3. Able to use standard units of measure. 4. Able to describe and analyze shapes. http://www.corestandards.org/Math/Content/2/introduction/ By 3rd grade the foundation should be laid and the students will begin to expand on their previous knowledge and really start building a solid understanding of more complex mathematical ideas and equations. In 3rd grade the students will be expected to learn: 1. Understanding of multiplication and division, specifically strategies for multiplication and division within 100. 2. Understanding of unit fractions. 3. Understanding of rectangle arrays and an understanding of area 4. Describe and analyze two-dimensional shapes. http://www.corestanda...

In this post I want to explore and understand what the expectations are for second graders in math. In second grade students should enter with an understanding of: Operations and Algebraic Thinking Number and Operations in Base Ten Measurement and Data Geometry Second graders should learn the following: Operations and Algebraic Thinking Number and Operations in Base Ten Measurement and Data Geometry I was surprised to see that the concepts are the same. Then I looked at the standards and it becomes clear that students are building upon their prior knowledge. They are digging a little bit deeper and gaining a better understanding of each of these concepts. For example base ten: Kindergarten: Work with numbers 11-19 to gain foundations for place value. CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.K.NBT.A.1 Compose and decompose numbers from 11 to 19 into ten ones and some further ones, e.g., by using objects or drawings, and record each composition or decomposition by a drawing or equation (suc...