LaSalle Springs Middle Students Solve Order of Operations in Unique Way
Earlier this school year, students in Carla Leininger, Jenny Danner and Jordan Sampson's seventh-grade math classes at LaSalle Springs Middle learned the order of operations in a fun and unique way.
They put on surgical caps, operating masks and gowns and worked together in teams to solve equations.
"We wanted to have students at the forefront of the learning and have them work together in a team," Leininger shared. "After solving, each surgical team had to get their solution checked to 'save' their patient."
The teachers set up their classrooms with four "operating rooms" and two "waiting rooms." In the waiting rooms, the students played a teacher-selected math game that helped them prepare for success.
"They were practicing previous math concepts and standards to assist in the solving of order-of-operation problems," Leininger said.
In each of the four operating rooms, there was a folder containing an individual case study that detailed a procedure to be completed by solving order-of-operation problems. The problems in their case files were differentiated so that everyone could find success in solving them. The teachers also included a more complex order of operations for students who wanted a greater challenge.
“It was very fun,” said student Eden Turner. “I've learned different ways to work with the groups and the different ways you can use the order of operations, especially distributing that through our groups.”
Leininger said she observed peer-to-peer teaching, a significant amount of math discourse and a substantial dose of collaboration to be a successful math doctor in the operating rooms.
“It was inspiring to see our students want to 'gown up' and work collaboratively on math,” Leininger said. “It was truly a great day of learning and practicing math!”
The three educators extend their gratitude to the LaSalle Springs Middle PTO, who supplied the gowns, masks, surgical caps, semi-clear drapes and sterile table coverings.
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