Numerical Fluency - What's in the Hula Hoops?

Equipment list

  • 2 Hula Hoops

  • Numbered bean bags (1-100)

  • 1 portable whiteboard

  • 1 marker

  • 1 eraser

Explanation

This activity, based on the Nova Scotia Grade 3 Mathematics curriculum, focuses on teaching students about multiples of numbers and counting sequences. It uses a physically active learning approach to help students visualize the magnitude and arrangement of numbers while strengthening their numerical fluency.

The teacher will set up two Hula Hoops in an open space, such as a playground, gymnasium, or classroom. Scatter the numbered bean bags around the space. Each Hula Hoop represents a set of numbers that meet certain criteria, like "multiples of 3" or "numbers greater than 40." Students will gather the numbered bean bags and place them in the appropriate Hula Hoops.

To make the activity even more engaging, involve the students in determining the criteria for each Hula Hoop. They can also help set up the Hula Hoops, promoting ownership and collaboration.

This activity is designed to be adaptable to different skill levels, allowing students at various stages of understanding to participate. It also offers plenty of opportunities for formative assessment through teacher observation and student interactions. After the activity, take time for a reflection and debrief session, where students can share feedback and suggest improvements for future lessons.

Variations / Progressions:

  • Have students take turns creating the criteria for the Hula Hoops, such as "numbers divisible by 5" or "numbers under 50."

  • Increase difficulty by introducing more complex criteria, like prime numbers or factors of a given number.

  • Add a time element where students need to complete the task within a certain time frame.

  • For advanced learners, include additional Hula Hoops with criteria based on inequalities, such as "numbers greater than 10 but less than 30."

Participants’ Feedback on Activity:

This activity provides ample opportunities for student feedback, both during and after the lesson. Students often enjoy the physical movement aspect, and the hands-on nature of sorting and organizing numbers helps reinforce mathematical concepts in a fun, engaging way. During the debrief, they can discuss which criteria were easiest or hardest to work with, how they collaborated with peers, and how they felt about the physical aspect of the lesson.

ASK ID 2024-07-15-001-E

Grade 3 - 4Gasta DesignMathematics