OUTDOORS WITH MATH
IN THE NATIONAL PARKS
Kristi Hoffman
West Platte R-II Jr./Sr. High School, Weston, MO
MAA MathFest 2011; Lexington, KY
Saturday, August 6, 2011
ABOUT ME
•Teaching Jr. High Mathematics
West Platte R-II; Weston, MO
•M.Ed. in Secondary Mathematics
Rockhurst University, Kansas City, MO
•BBA in Management and
Organizational Behavior; Minors in
Mathematics and Psychology
Benedictine University, Lisle, IL
Spaghetti-Marshmallow Tower Challenge
REFLECTION
My students need:
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to be engaged.
Spring 2011
to be challenged.
to practice seeing beyond the immediate picture.
to improve their communication and vocabulary.
to be playful.
to see relevance beyond math classrooms.
INSPIRATION
Mathematics, Nature (National Parks),
Photography, Travel
RESEARCH AND DATA COLLECTION
•4 weeks of camping
•4,710.2 miles traveled
•2,702 pictures taken
•~84 miles hiked
• 21 Parks/Monuments visited
•Countless ideas and inspiration
IN MY CLASSROOM
• Images will be used as a writing prompt.
• Students will be asked to write what they see “mathematically”
in the picture.
• Then, I’ll reveal what I saw mathematically.
• This will be the introduction into a lesson/skill/standard.
REFLECT
REVEAL
REFLECT
REVEAL
REFLECT
REVEAL
REFLECT
REVEAL
REFLECT
REVEAL
GOALS
STUDENT
•Develop student “Math Portfolios”
•Strengthen math literacy
•Increase vocabulary
•Reinforce writing skills
•Emphasize communication skills
•Build analytical skills
•Visit local state park
PROFESSIONAL
•Diminish math stigma
•Make math accessible
•Promote critical thinking skills
•Encourage hobbies, natural world
•Create a series of math lessons and
posters centered around nature
•Expand the lessons and posters into other
content areas
Kristi Hoffman
West Platte R-II Jr./Sr. High School, Weston, MO
hoffmank@wprii.k12.mo.us
816.640.2292 ext. 229
www.fundsoph.blogspot.com