A Thanksgiving Inquiry Based Math Project Measure, Fractions, Data

Inquiry based math offers collaborative learning and hands on inquiry requiring the children to solve problems, think critically and apply their knowledge of measure and scale, area, fractions, ratio tables and word problems with the four operations as they explore the journey made by the Pilgrims on board the Mayflower ship. Text is included with data that the children will have to identify in order to solve the problems.

They will plan the journey across the Atlantic with measure and scale, they will be required to calculate the amount of food and water rations. Research will be necessary as the children have to know parts of the ship, countries , continents and oceans. Once the Pilgrims reach America, the students will design the village and plan the amount of food necessary to cater for the first Thanksgiving Feast.

It culminates in a class presentation of the facts found and reasoning as to their plan and design of their team’s route , their designed village and their ideas for the feast. Comparing and contrasting each group’s work, helps with critical thinking too and communication skills. Wholly differentiated, ( Task B cards are less challenging) you can use it as a summative assessment tool of the skills and standards included. It can be created as a booklet or in a binder., with a front cover included, being used as a goal setting pre assessment for the children. Mix and match the pages to suit your students’ needs.

I prefer to have the children work on the pages individually before they compare their designs and work together as a small group to collaboratively create the map, their group plan of the village and planning the Thanksgiving Feast.

This inquiry based math packet is easy to print and go, perfect for Thanksgiving or all year round. I designed it for my IB PYP 5th grade class. It can be used 4th – 6th grade too. You will find the following skills and standards ideally suited for the IB PYP Phase 4 and CCSS Math for 4th and 5th grade:

Number sense and base ten operations

Fractions: adding, subtracting and simplifying

Measure: using measuring tools , area and scale

Geometry: identifying polygons and angles

Data analysis

Make math fun, engaging an authentic!

You can find many more inquiry based learning tools in my store and on my blog.

Enjoy!

Susan Powers

PYPteachingtools.com