Daily Math Practice 6th-8th Grade
General Overview & Index

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Overview:
These activities offer a hands-on, guided inquiry approach in which students work through activities while being challenged with questions along the way. These questions are intended to encourage students to interpret their observations, to analyze and draw conclusions, and to suggest possible alternative approaches and explanations for their observations. The materials for doing the activities are easily obtained, inexpensive materials. This interdisciplinary approach integrates science with math by emphasizing measuring skills, calculations, and mathematical reasoning skills along with the use of charts, graphs, maps, and other applications. Some of the activities also explore the relationships between science concepts and history and technology.

Our children must be prepared to confront the heavily scientific, highly technical world of the 21st century. To help parents prepare their children, these activities are based on the new National Science Education Standards. The Standards describe what all children, regardless of background or circumstance, should be able to do in science. The standards promote a citizenry capable of making informed personal and social decisions, holding meaningful and productive jobs, and experiencing, understanding, and enjoying the natural world around them.

The National Science Education Standards are divided into eight categories. They are:

Estimating

Measuring

Designing Structures

Inventing the Unseen

• Unifying Concepts and Processes
• Science as Inquiry
• Physical Science
• Life Science

• Earth and Space Science
• Science and Technology
• Science in Personal and Social Perspectives
• History and Nature of Science.

Finally, to encourage critical thinking, be supportive, not prescriptive. For example, on certain problems, the student may chose to use paper and pencil, another the calculator, and still another, mental mathematics. Instead of considering on approach "right" and the other "wrong," you might discuss why they chose the method they used. Similarly, in problems requiring estimation, consider accepting a wide range of answers as "reasonable"; the process is just as important as the result.

Time Management
Most activities require some simple materials or equipment. Be sure to understand the directions and gather the materials before you begin. Most activities can be completed in less than an hour.

How to Use these Scientific Investigations
Here are some ways you may choose to structure the exercises.

1. Read through the activity. Make sure you understand the purpose, vocabulary and procedure
2. Do the activity
3. Respond to the questions. The thinking, reasoning, and communication skills are very important to help develop your scientific skills.
4. Find a "Science Buddy"-someone else in the program who will agree to do the activities too. Then, share your discoveries, and compare scientific notes.