Fold in Origami and Unfold Math

Autor/in	Georgeson, Joseph
Titel	Fold in Origami and Unfold Math
Quelle	In: Mathematics Teaching in the Middle School, 16 (2011) 6, S.354-361 (8 Seiten) PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	1072-0839
Schlagwörter	Student Interests; Algebra; Mathematics Instruction; Experiential Learning; Manipulative Materials; Middle School Students; Secondary School Mathematics; Models; Geometric Concepts + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Studieninteresse; Mathematics lessons; Mathematikunterricht; Experiental learning; Erfahrungsorientiertes Lernen; Hilfsmittel; Middle school; Middle schools; Student; Students; Mittelschule; Mittelstufenschule; Schüler; Schülerin; Analogiemodell; Elementare Geometrie
Abstract	Students enjoy origami and like making everything from paper cranes to footballs out of small, colorful squares of paper. They can invent their own shapes and are intrigued by the polyhedrons that they can construct. Paper folding is fun, but where is the math? Unless teachers develop lessons that address mathematical objectives, origami could be nothing more than a cute activity. Take advantage of student interest and motivation to develop concepts and processes of algebra--which, to many middle school students, is abstract--and to connect algebra to something concrete and real. Area and volume are important, specifically in the study of geometry and measurement. Beyond formulas, student understanding of these concepts is not always as secure as teachers sometimes think. Students often mistake area for volume or have difficulty understanding how changes in one dimension affect measurements in another. In this activity, volume and area provide a meaningful context for studying patterns and functions. Using origami, students make paper models of cubes and, in the process, explore relationships and change. Students then manipulate their models for more discoveries. The added benefit of making models of other polyhedra is that it will lead them to further algebraic investigations. Patterns and functions are integral to the study of mathematics, and algebra and origami can provide a meaningful as well as fun context in which to study them. (Contains 8 figures and 3 tables.) (ERIC).
Anmerkungen	National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. 1906 Association Drive, Reston, VA 20191-1502. Tel: 800-235-7566; Tel: 703-620-3702; Fax: 703-476-2970; e-mail: orders@nctm.org; Web site: http://www.nctm.org/publications/
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2017/4/10