Lesson Plans SET A for Grades 3-4-PDF Level 3-4- Genius Hour intro handout

PDF Level 3-4- Genius Hour intro handout

Pdf Summary

The document outlines a Genius Hour project centered around creating and presenting a math problem inspired by real-life interests or hobbies. Using an example problem about superconductors and levitating magnets, the text describes how Neil wants to serve holiday candies on a levitating magnet. The levitation height relates to the formula \(9 - (weight \ of \ the \ candy \ in \ grams)^2\), and Neil uses candies of different weights: red (2 grams), yellow (1 gram), and green (3 grams). The challenge poses a selection problem concerning how many candies Neil can place before the magnet collapses under their combined weight. <br /><br />Participants in the course are encouraged to develop their own problems by considering real-life interests that could translate into mathematical scenarios. The four-step process involves: <br /><br />1. **Choosing a topic**: Leveraging hobbies—such as sports, origami, or debating—to formulate a math question.<br />2. **Developing strategies**: Incorporating multiple problem-solving methods to create a challenging yet solvable problem.<br />3. **Crafting and testing**: Writing the problem clearly and concisely, using attention-grabbing images and language to engage solvers.<br />4. **Presenting the problem**: Sharing the problem and solution in a three-minute presentation.<br /><br />The project fosters creativity and problem-solving skills by engaging students in developing original math problems and sharing them in a classroom setting. With the goal of improving students' problem-solving abilities, the exercise emphasizes the value of linking math challenges to everyday interests and tasks.

Keywords

Genius Hour

math problem

real-life interests

superconductors

levitating magnets

problem-solving

creativity

math challenges

classroom presentation

student engagement