Week 6 Reflection- Number Sense and Numeration

In this weeks class we focused in on Number Sense and Numeration. To kick start the class, Keith led us through his activity, which was entitled “Efficient Grocery Shopping”. The topic addressed within the strand of number sense and numeration was proportional relationships for a grade six class. I found the activity to be very useful for it applies to everyday life. The problem laid out before us was to determine the exact amount of change that was needed to purchase the items required. In order to figure this out the students first had to determine what the price was for one of each items. Knowing the price of each item we then had to multiply the price based on the quantity of the item that we needed. From there we then had to determine out of three lines which one would be the shortest to get through based on the number of customers in each line and the amount of items they all had. It was determined that the exact change that would be needed for our list was $15.15 and that we should go in line A. Overall I thought that the activity was a great starting point for the unit and we were able to build further in other activities conducted in class.

Feng, E. (June, 4, 2012). Optimizing The Grocery Checkout Line. [Online Image] Retrieved from http://ehfeng.blogspot.ca/2012/06/optimizing-grocery-checkout-line.html

Coming back as a whole class we looked further into ratios, rates, and proportions.

Ratio: the quantitative relation between two amounts showing the number of times one value contains or is contained within the other. Example: a bowl of fruit contains 8 oranges and six apples, so the ratio is 8:6, which is equivalent to the ratio 4:3.

Rates: A ratio where the two quantities have different ratios. Example: if a 12-ounce can of corn costs 69¢, the rate is 69¢ for 12 ounces.

Proportion: Shows the relationship between two values. For example: if one package of cookie mix results in 20 cookies than that would be the same as to say that two packages will result in 40 cookies.

Grimmett, C. (2017). Ratio and Rates. [Online Image] Found at https://www.tes.com/lessons/JkWTBNgloCv5ig/ratios-and-rates

There were a lot of great examples provided in class in how we can use number sense and numeration in our everyday lives. Such examples included how to determine what is the better buy between items that are different sizes and prices. Essentially determining what is the better deal.

The more challenging activities were within the proportional word problems, particularly the car problem. At first I struggled with the task but once my fellow classmates and instructor explained how to go about solving them, it made a lot more sense.

In class today I was able to find connections to everyday life. When I am able to connect the work that I am doing to outside of the classroom, it makes the work a lot more enjoyable knowing that I will be able to use this when I go home. I found that I could relate to all of the examples that we completed in class today, making it very enjoyable and aware that math is everywhere.

Until next week, happy mathing!