This hands-on, activity-based course engages students in exploring mathematics through the act of building. Using blocks, legos, maps, beads, and a variety of other implements, students will work on honing their understanding of numbers and mathematic operations such as addition and multiplication. Students will also investigate counting, data collection and interpretation, geometry, and develop best practices for recording their work. Each activity is designed to help students hone their problem solving skills while mastering specific math content.

Students will aim to explain their findings using not only numbers but also words, diagrams and pictures to allow them to begin in a place of comfortable mathematical understanding and engage them to explore new forms of expressing their mathematical knowledge.

General Format - Students will engage in a hands-on activity complemented by an extension focusing on a specific math skill. Each class will follow the general outline:

a. building exploration

b. math extension

c. documentation activity

d. reflection and discussion

Schedule - Constructing Numbers is a 20-hour workshop with a 2-hour meeting time.  

Student Responsibilities - Students will be shown proper handling of tools and materials and will be expected to adhere to class guidelines.

In between each meeting, we ask that students continue to work on their math skills through problem sets and at-home exploration activities we will provide. Students are expected to work independently and in small groups.  Students are expected to record their activities and problem solving methods.