Mathematics Safari Park Challenge - Part One

My Year Six students are currently working on a Mathematics challenge. They need to design a zoo or safari park with the total area of 5 hectares. This is a Problem Based Task and the original idea comes from the iMaths resource, I've just adjusted it to suit my students.

To begin with we needed to revise several Mathematics topics. These were: 

• The four operations and the relationships between these 
• Decimal addition, subtraction, multiplication and devision
• Multiplication by two digits
• Two-digit divisors
• The metric system of measurement
• Investigating squares and rectangles
• Perimeter and area of composite rectangles
• Using scale

These topics spanned over several weeks and included a lot of rotational groups in the classroom, as well as flipped tasks at home. A Genius Bar was set up during each Mathematics block. This allows students who are confident in the topic we are focusing on to share their expertise with their peers. It also allows time for me to get around and work with students who may need one-on-one assistance or extension. 

Once we had revised all of these topics, the students were given an explanation of the task. They also received a hard copy of the rubric and we discussed the expectations of the task. Students were then put into their groups (I chose the mixed ability groups) and worked through the Define Stage together. Here they created SMART goals to guide them through the task (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Result-orientated, Timely). I had a mini conference with each group so that I had an understanding of their goals and could assist with pushing them to achieve these. It also allowed me to see if students were challenging themselves or just taking the easy road. 

Students then needed to create an information sheet outlining how many of each animal they would have as well as the facilities that would be available to staff / visitors. I gave them a template with a range of animals and facilities that needed to be included. This outlined how much square meterage was needed per animal / facility. 

We are now up to the Design Stage and the Mathematical discussions I am hearing are amazing!! I will write another post soon, updating you on how the students are going with the task. 

That's all, for now!