1. What was the purpose of this week of investigations and video-watching? In other words, why did we spend 5 days of class time on this? This week we spent a substantial amount of time investigating different math activities and problems. The purpose of this was to inspire ourselves, and others to learn to improved our thinking. We attempted activites and watched videos about expanding our growth mindsets. Along with participating with challenging problems and embracing mistakes. These activities helps improve our skills with explaining to peers and showed the different methods that others had. Another strength was experimenting, which leads to different solutions. The videos displayed ways people struggle and resolutions on how to improve them.
2. Give an overview of all four activities.
Day 1: Building ShapesOn Day 1, we attempted our first activity where each group work together to create 3-D and 2-D shapes out of rope. Each group member was able to participate by the rules stating that everyone must have at least one hand involved when creating the shape. We then argued and stated a convincing reason why the shape we made was that shape to the skeptics. Day 2: Number Visual Pennies - (Absent)On Day 4, we attempted to use visuals and find a certain total. We came up with a handle of different ways of solving the problem. We collaborated and shared how we came to the solution. Day 3: One Cut Geometry On Day 3, we attempted another activity where we cut varieties of different shapes with only one cut. We were challenged by having to fold the shapes in a certain way, which allowed us to cut the piece with only one cut. There couldn’t be any other extra pieces, only the shape that was drawn on the paper were allowed. Day 4: Square Mania On Day 4, we attempted to look for patterns and count the number of cubes in a particular shape. With this activity you couldn’t spot out the square in the shape because it is not obvious, but hidden. But once you find a pattern it is very easy to spot out the differences.
3. For each of the five videos, explain the message in your own words. Explain the personal significance of those messages to you (why is that message important to you?).
Day 1 Video: In this video they talked about different strategies for learning math. Some of the strategies were teamwork, start small, see the problem in different ways and don’t give up. When you are stuck in math you have a couple of different strategies to use to continue your process with the problem. By giving up and not finding another way your training you mind to become fixed and not allowing yourself to grow. this message is important because it explained different strategies to use when you're stuck or don’t understand something in math.
Day 2 Video: In this video they talked about how speed is not important involving math. They explained that thinking deeply takes time, and to understand something you have to be patient and take it slowly. Mathematicians admit they are slow when solving different equations and problems. Also learned that math is a broader subjects, and it is not just about numbers, but included patterns and visual ideas. This message is important because it explained that math is a process and it takes time to complete.
Day 3 Video: In this video they talked about brain and growth. They explained that no one is born a math person. They also talked about don’t believe if you're not a natural math person or not because everyone could be equally knowledgeable as each other, but you just have to let your brain grow. Also that when you learn something new, brain paths connect. This message was important to me because it showed me that everyone can be naturally knowledgeable as each other.
Day 4 Video: In this video they talked about believing and pushing yourself through obstacles. They also talked about the importance of working on challenging problems, by attempting challenges and being stuck is helping your brain grow substantially. This message was important to me because if you don’t try you're not gonna help yourself in the future or at all.
Day 5 Video: In this video they talked about how mistakes are powerful. They also talked about struggles, mistakes and challenges are amazing for your brain. The brain is like a muscle when you work it out it becomes stronger. This message was important to me because if you continue to take risks and fail you are helping yourself and your brain.
4. Provide a write-up of the activity you chose to detail. Include: With the activity Building Shapes we attempted to work together with our groups to create 3-D and 2-D shapes out of a tied 8ft rope. Each group member was required to participate by the rules stating that everyone must have at least one hand involved when creating the shape. We were giving multiple tasks, which were to create a variety of shapes some including a cube, square, pyramid etc. After creating the shape we then argued and stated a convincing argument/reason why the shape we made was that shape to the skeptics. The skeptics were the teachers and peers and they would either agree or disagree with the reasoning. I chose this problem because it was the most beneficial activity and required us to use multiple skills. Some of the skills were oral communication, collaboration, problem solving and mathematical thinking etc. For this problem couldn't just make the shape, but we had to make sure all the sides were equal. To make sure all the sides were equal we equally folded the rope a number amount of times according to the shape. This proved that each side was equal, but we also grabbed an item that had a ninety degree angle and measured it to our shapes edges. These steps were able to convince the skeptic and help us understand the background reasoning. A challenge at first was proving that the shape was that certain shape. Because you had to have all equal sides and have the right explanation. One Habit of a Mathematician that I used during this problem was start small. This helped me understand how to do it with a smaller problem and made it easier when expanding it (Images Down Below) 5. A reflection of your work and effort during the Week of Inspirational Math: how will this week inform your effort and participation in math for the rest of the year. This week has helped me understand different concepts and uses of strategies when I am struggling. I improved to embrace my mistakes and help myself grow my knowledge while doing so. I was able to collaborate with my group this week and participate with my peers. I also was able to explain the background of problem in way that a skeptic could agree with. Some of these skills will help my performance in this years math class.