How to Integrate Math & Science Into Learning Centers
The question of how to integrate math and science into learning centers challenges teachers who are trying to balance independent learning with group instruction. Thematic units usually focus on social studies, health, art and science topics, leaving teachers to wonder if it is really possible to integrate math skills in content studies. A careful examination of the study topic, however, can reveal creative applications of both math and science activities that can be set up in a learning center to both teach discrete skills and enhance student understanding of content subject matter.
Things You'll Need
- Computer with Internet access (for some activities)
- Tables
- Chairs
- Scientific process worksheets
- Paper, lined and blank
- Graph paper
- Pencils
- Erasers
- Crayons or colored pencils
- Calculators
- Food labels
- Food pyramid and nutrition resources
- Coins
- Bags of small multicolored candies
- Blank check worksheet
- Spreadsheet program
- Budget worksheet
- Cash register (can be an old one or a toy version)
- Ride guide chart of an amusement park, including the number of tickets required, ride length and the average wait time for each ride
- Glue
- Toothpicks
- Craft sticks
- Clothes pins
- Piece of cardboard, 35 cm by 15 cm, for each student or group
- String
- Large paper cups
- Scissors
- Penny collection or other small weights
- Poster paper
- Straws or quarter-inch diameter dowels
- Tape
- Rulers
- Seeds
- Dirt
- Water
- Large basin
- Selection of small objects, some sinkers and some floaters
- Buoyancy record sheet
- D batteries
- Electrical tape
- Insulated copper wire
- Paper clips
- Wooden clothespins
- Blocks of wood
- Thumbtacks
- Small light bulbs
Instructions
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Math
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1
Provide an assortment of food labels and food pyramid resources. Have students figure out how many calories they need each day to be healthy. Plan a day's menu, including serving sizes, and count up the total calories. They can also look up the recommended daily allowance of various vitamins and minerals and read the food labels to figure out whether their menu plan will give them sufficient daily nutrition.
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2
Discuss the concept of probability in weather prediction. At the learning center, students can complete Cyberbee's "In the Bag Graphing Activity." Alternatively, flip a coin 100 times and graph the results.
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3
Teach financial smarts during a unit on community. Let students explore checks, interest and more at Kids Bank. Set up a class money system and store. Practice writing checks and keeping track of deposits, withdrawals and account balance.
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4
Highlight economic planning to increase understanding of supply and demand. Ask students to calculate how much allowance they receive in a month. Use a budget worksheet or spreadsheet to create a spending plan. Discuss the importance of making sure you do not spend more than you earn.
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5
Teach responsibility and decision-making through time sense. Tell students they have 100 tickets and five hours to spend at an amusement park. Using the ride guide, students calculate how many and which rides they will choose without going over their ticket or time limit.
Science
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6
Explore engineering concepts such as load limits and structural integrity. Build a truss bridge out of toothpicks or craft sticks. Place it where it spans a gap between two tables or chairs. Suspend a paper cup from the beams and add pennies to the cup one piece at a time until the structure collapses. Count how many pennies the bridge held. Record your results on a class graph at the learning center to compare classmates' results.
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7
Experiment with aerodynamics and the laws of motion. Build geometric kites and paper airplanes. Store them carefully and when everyone has had a chance to make one, take the class outside to test flight distance and height. Check Cyberbee's Paper Airplanes and Kites for design ideas.
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8
Plant a seed and keep a daily log to record the time, date and amount of water given. Once it sprouts, draw or photograph the plant's growth progress. Measure and graph its height.
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9
Experiment with buoyancy. Fill a basin with water and drop in various small objects. Observe and record whether the objects sink or float.
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10
Use D batteries, electrical tape, insulated copper wire, paper clips, wooden clothespins, blocks of wood, thumbtacks and a small light bulb to build a simple electrical circuit.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Materials will vary depending on the activities chosen.
Clearly communicate the rules and behavior expectations for using learning centers ahead of time.
Introduce the activity to the whole class before letting students try it on their own. Make sure they understand exactly what to do. Provide written activity instructions at each learning center.
Check Cyberbee or Education World for a wide variety of math and science webquests for more learning center ideas.
Some students may have difficulty managing their own time and study habits in an independent learning center. Others may have questions or need assistance. Teachers should circulate and be available to give guidance and correction. If the teacher is occupied with other students, ask an older student or assistant to supervise the area.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit learning basics image by Sergey Mostovoy from Fotolia.com
