Making Math Meaningful
By Mary Ellen Bafumo

My wonderful first grade teacher took my class on a field trip through the school's neighborhood. Students tallied the number and types of stores, talked with the police officer, toured the Post Office, questioned the mail carrier and observed different types of architecture. The trip ended at the candy store where pairs of students had a nickel and instructions to divide it so that each partner had a fair share.

Not only did we affirm all that we learned in the classroom about neighborhoods, but we saw familiar places and everyday dynamics with new eyes. That day I understood that math was part of my life, not just numbers on a page.

As a teacher, I saw first hand that the more closely I aligned my teaching with the real-life activities of my students, the more learning resonated with them. Math is one of the easiest subjects to connect to real-life activities. Try these low-tech ideas to connect math to everyday life for your students.

1. Distribute empty cereal boxes to small groups of students. Practice the four operations via word problems built around preparing a class breakfast. Students use portion info on the side of the box to complete math examples. How many boxes are needed to feed the class? What is the cost per serving? How many gallons of milk are needed? The class votes, via a bar graph with each cereal represented, about which to serve in class. Students measure cereal and milk servings and enjoy!
2. Distribute flyers from office stores. Pairs of students "shop" for a complete computer station for home. They figure cost, tax and shipping, then respond to word problems. On a $150 monthly budget, how long will it take to pay for the equipment? If you pay off the balance in three, four or five payments, how much is each installment? Students then develop a word problem structured around the task to share with the class.
3. Distribute travel ads. Small groups of students plan a dream vacation. They calculate transportation, accommodations, meals and incidentals, then multiply by their group members. Ask your class the following questions. If the PTA provides $2,500 for the trip, how much will each group member have to raise? If airfare is donated, how much will the trip cost, etc.?

Create scenarios based on the interests of your students. Use advertisements (movies, video games, cds, bicycles, etc.) that spark their enthusiasm and watch math take on new meaning.

Mary Ellen Bafumo is Executive Director of Professional Development in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School District.