Rational or Irrational? That is the Question.

One of my favorite beginning of the year activities is a card sort that we do that reviews if different numbers are irrational or rational. Students are placed into groups of 4 and have to reason with one another about the placement of each number.

Here are a few groups placing their numbers:

Here are some example numbers we had:

Here are some finished products:

This was a great activity to get students use to classroom procedures and routines.  You can find the activity here: http://map.mathshell.org/lessons.php?unit=9105&collection=8&redir=1

The activity was in groups and went through each one large group.  I had students explain why they put them in certain categories and had a classroom discussion if they agreed or not.  Some could be put into more than one category depending on the explanation.  It was a fun experience.

How Infographics Boost Math

• 65% of learners are visual learners.
• Looking at and reflecting on data is something all students struggle with.
• Infographics make data easier to understand.

At the beginning of next year I want students take their knowledge and apply it more often.  We normally have a day lesson on classifying rational numbers.  Next year after I give students the lesson they normally have a card sort they do in groups, it is a fun activity and gets them to work together early in the year.

After they are done with the card sort their homework will be to create an infographic.  I will have students download Canva. Canva is a graphic design app that allows students (and teachers) to create presentations, handouts, and other graphics such as infographics.  (I use Canva to create my presentations and handouts for conferences)

Student's will create an infographic on how to classify rational numbers and will be hung up around the room.

Here is an example I made earlier today:

This is a simple mock-up and the rubric for the assessment is yet to come, but having students demonstrate their knowledge in a graphical way will get students on the right path of thinking when it comes to math next year.