FCAT- Fun Creative Activities that Teach - Math

How It Works:  FCAT -Fun Creative Activities that Teach- Math is a series of activities created by students for students  in each of the mathematical strands. It is specifically designed to teach and reinforce skills in the areas of geometry, measurement, algebra, number sense,  probability and statistics through the use of the Internet. It is based on interactive units that enhance students’ critical thinking skills. The purpose of this project is to integrate mathematics and online resources using a collaborative model in which groups of students are able to work, research and create a resource study guide for classroom use.

Standards: 

Measurement: 
The student measures quantities in the real world and uses  measurement to solve problems. 

Data Analyses and Probability: 
The student understands and uses the tools of data analyses for managing information.

Number Sense, Concepts, and Operations: 
The student understands the different ways numbers are represented and used in the real world.

Algebraic Thinking: 
The student describes, analyzes, and generalizes a wide variety of patterns, relations, and functions. 

Estimated Class Periods To Complete: 8+

Software Materials Used:  Students need to have access to the Internet and a word processing program such as Microsoft Works, Word, or Claris Works to copy and paste information, graphics and graphs to their document. They also need a calculator.

Keywords:  Algebra, Number Sense, Geometry, Probability, Measurement, Data Analysis, Math Concepts, Math Operations

Students:  This project is designed for fourth and fifth grade students who already have a knowledge base of the mathematics strands in this unit.

Overall:  The most valuable feature of this project is that students  learn and reinforce mathematical skills using problems created by their peers, while having fun as they collaborate and generate an authentic project- a math resource guide for the class. When students are involved in hands-on self-motivated activities, self-esteem is raised, consequently increasing student achievement. When learning is meaningful it becomes long-lasting.

Tips:  When selecting the groups of students, make sure that each group is heterogeneously comprised of academically challenged and advanced students. Allow students to come up with their own ideas for the resource guide. Acknowledge creativity and uniqueness. Invite parents, community members and staff to see the presentations.

About the Teacher: Rosa Duarte is in her 26th year in the Miami Dade County Public School system. Holding a Master’s Degree in ESE (Exceptional Student Education), she specialized in autism. She was a Staffing Specialist in Miami's Region 4 and a District Support Teacher for the Autistic Program. 

She received her Educational Specialist in Computer Applications and in 1996, became the Technology Coordinator/Computer Teacher at Southside Elementary, where she teaches the Academic Excellence Program as well as computers to K-5 students. As Web master, she publishes the Southside Express newsletter and has been awarded a Success Grant, the Citibank FamilyTech Grant from The Ed Fund, and AT&T Grants.

Subjects:  Math

Grade Levels:  4 through  5

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