A big thank you to all the families that were involved in this year's Spring Break Program. We had a lot of fun!! Below are some photo collages describing the excitement! This year we ran two groups, an AM group starting at 9AM and a PM group starting at 12PM. Here are the photo collages from the AM and PM groups! I thoroughly enjoyed how different each group was and the many creative ideas and conversations that were always flowing around!
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Yes, I know this is a bit late, but last Wednesday was PI Day and I thought it would be fun to write a little bit about this fun math number! The reason for this post is last Wednesday was PI day. This was because it was March 14th, and, put into numerical form 3/14 (or 3.14). This is a fabulous day to celebrate the mathematical number Pi. A brief history, Pi is a greek word for the letter/symbol that we use to stand for the constant 3.14... (the dots are because this number is non-repeating and non-terminating, meaning it never ends!!). This fancy number shows the ratio (or relationship) between a circle's circumference (measurement around the outside) and its diameter (measurement straight across the circle). Generally, we use it in math when we're measuring, or for my grade 10's throughout lovely Unit 1!! Now, in elementary school we are generally not allowed to use our calculators much, so will use Pi as exactly 3.14. However, in highschool we are then introduced to the calculator button Pi. The reason we use this is because it is MUCH more accurate, and because how many people WANT to remember the first 10 digits of Pi? Not I!! I do have a side story though. I always remember, during elementary and high-school, my dad reciting out at least the first 15 digits of Pi because he HAD to learn it in highschool (or university, I can't remember). Consequently, because it was repeated so many times, the most I can remember is 3.1415926 although I much prefer to just press the Pi button on my calculator. So, you ask in amazement, he had to MEMORIZE the number?? Yes, this was much before the days where calculators had fancy Pi buttons...... Perhaps it was before the invention of the calculator? (I'm only teasing, as I'm sure that he just might read this!) In case this amusing anecdote inspires you to read more, a quick search brings this wikipedia article on Pi and its history. It is a bit wordy, but skimming you will get the gist of it! As I thought more about Pi, I remembered this video clip I had seen a few years ago. We had been on the topic of people on the Autistic Spectrum (including Aspbergers), and how so often these children are Brilliant at certain skills or subjects. Someone then forwarded me this video. Amazing!! Imagine!! MEMORIZING Pi to over 22,500 places!!! THOUSANDS of digits!!! That is unimaginable to me! The world is sure filled with amazing minds!!
There are sets of chains representing each number. They can be used for counting, number order, skip counting, learning about squares and cubes as well as many other things. The best thing about them is their tactile nature. Little tags also accompany the numbers for marking the numerical equivalent of the chains.
Here is a description from a mom who went to the parents Montessori Maths night at her school. I was able to order my beads through Bolek’s Crafts, as recommended on Montessori at Home. Here this crafty mom shows her process of making her own set of Bead Chains. I have all the materials I need now, and soon I’ll have the time to start, as this is definitely a labour of love. Once I get started I’m sure I’ll be able to work on the chains while doing something else at the same time. This is the guide that I will follow as I make mine. Montessori at Home has five parts to her blog where she describes her journey in making these chains. Here they are: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5 I'm excited to use these in my sessions and with other programs within Momentum Learning Centre. I will definitely post pictures as I create them and when they are in action! |
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