Last week 4O were learning about position in mathematics. To meaningfully engage with the topic and directly translate their understandings to 'real life', the students participated in a 'secret message' quest within the school grounds. This task required students to use an aerial map of the school as stimulus and work collaboratively in small groups to construct a set of instructions that would lead to their 'secret message'. Once all the groups had constructed their instructions and hidden their message, groups swapped their work and attempted to find their 'prize'. This was a fantastic summative task for the week that saw all students engaged and excited whilst presenting the opportunity for constructive feedback from not only the teacher but peers. Whilst the activity holistically encouraged the employment of the appropriate mathematical language and concepts surrounding the topic, it also assisted in developing problem solving skills with the dynamics involved with group work, demanded tangible engagement with ideas to make their learning relevant and encouraged creativity with the 'student centred' nature of the task. As a class we look forward to taking our learning outside the classroom again soon!
Ms Owen (Class Teacher) and Ms Hutchinson (Prac student)
