Storyline:
Mani goes on a school exchange to Polynesia and experiences the culture, traditions and pastimes of people of the Fatifhu Island Group. (Note: This island group is fictional, in order to incorporate many general Polynesian traditions.) By participating in sports, enjoying new foods and being challenged mentally, the experience introduces students to the Area of Interaction, Health and Social Education.
Discussion question How can I look after myself and others….
This discussion might be expanded by referring to the contexts set by the story (1) When travelling by air? (2) When sightseeing? (3) When participating in a range of new experiences?
Suggested answers might include (1) Foot rotations to avoid thrombosis/ hydration (2) Safety in numbers (3) Open mindedness. What does this look like?
ACTIVITY 1 MYSTICAL MATHEMATICAL RAFTS
Build-up – pre-requisite subject knowledge or background information for teachers:
MYSTICAL MATHEMATICAL RAFTS belongs to a class of mathematical problems known as ‘river crossing problems.’ The following may be good warm-up or warm down activities to prepare or debrief students.
Over an over again, sources of similar games recommend the importance of not solving the problem for children.
An internet search under ‘River Crossing Problems’ will reveal many examples (including solutions). The following sites were active in 2008.
• Victorian Boat Ride by Erik Oosterwal http://www.geocities.com/oosterwal/puzzle.htm
There are many other puzzles on this site.
• A man wishes to cross the river with a fox, a goose and some corn….
http://www.smart-kit.com/s622/crossing-the-river-puzzle/
• MatheMUSEments Tricky By Ivars Peterson Muse, September 2004, p. 34-35. Crossings http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/pages/puzzlezone/muse/muse0904.asp Has many well known problems.
• SNAP math fairs: some puzzles http://www.mathfair.com/rvrcrossing.html Site is aimed at teachers and offers pedagogical advice.
Suggestions for organising students, equipment etc.
The children follow the plan – attempt- reflect format. These instructions are given to the children and then they are totally left to their own devices.
For this game to work YOU MUST HAVE an even number of children wearing odd bibs- i.e. the mathematics does not work out if you for example 9 children wearing odd bibs, but will work out if you have ten children wearing odd bibs. Obviously, for a large class you may repeat some numbers or set a higher total.
You really need to actually do this game to see the amazing amount of problem solving that takes place. The children eventually discover that the secret to success is having two odd numbers jumping at the same time and making sure a low numbered even bib crosses the river on his or her own.
The game could be changed to fit any mathematical concepts a class is working on multiples of 3 greater than, less than…
Answers –
The fun of this activity is for students to work out the pattern themselves – not on paper but by finding partners. Here is a possible solution that does not involve the rafts returning (limited numbers of rafts being a complication the teacher may wish to introduce) with an even numbered person
VERSION WITH 20 STUDENTS
|
First Bib |
Second Bib |
Bib Total |
|
1 |
19 |
20 |
|
2 |
18 |
20 |
|
3 |
17 |
20 |
|
4 |
16 |
20 |
|
5 |
15 |
20 |
|
6 |
14 |
20 |
|
7 |
13 |
20 |
|
8 |
12 |
20 |
|
9 |
11 |
20 |
|
10 |
|
10 |
|
20 |
|
20 |
In a limited raft numbers version, in an analogy to the solutions of the river-crossing problem, where the individual who does not pose harm to the remaining groups needs to return, an even numbered pair would need to cross and one of the pair would need to return.
This is a formative task aimed towards developing group/ corporation skills.
2. FEAST OF PLENTY
Discussion question How can I best think and act to benefit the team when solving a group measurement problem? Suggested answer: Have roles e.g. Equipment manager (collects, returns), Recorder, Pourer and Manager (person who discusses strategies etc) for a 4-person group. Over time, roles will be varied so all students learn the skills.
ACTIVITY 2 MEASURING 400 MILLILITRES
Build-up – pre-requisite subject knowledge or background information for teachers
This is the famous ‘3 jugs problem’ as applied in practice. Each group needs to have 3 containers, which should not be marked with divisions for volume but (if not already exactly the correct volume) should have a single line to indicate 800, 500 or 300 ml. Old plastic food containers or tins marked with permanent marker are ideal.
This is definitely an activity students enjoy, and it fits with the risk taking profile.
Answers – actual answers or examples. However, it is wiser to let students work this out for themselves.
There are three solutions, using the mathematical notation as defined with the problem:
A (800) + B (0) + C (0) = 800
A (500) + B (0) + C (300) = 800 (pour A into C)
A (500) + B (300) + C (0) = 800 (transfer C contents to B)
A (200) + B (300) + C (300) = 800 (pour A into C to refill)
A (200) + B (500) + C (100) = 800 (transfer C contents to fill B up to 500 ml)
A (700) + B (0) + C (100) = 800 (transfer B contents back to A)
A (700) + B (100) + C (0) = 800 (transfer C contents to B
A (400) + B (100) + C (300) = 800 (pour A into C to refill; A now has exactly 400 ml)
A (800) + B (0) + C (0) = 800
A (300) + B (500) + C (0) = 800 (pour A into B)
A (300) + B (200) + C (300) = 800 (pour B into C)
A (600) + B (200) + C (0) = 800 (pour C into A)
A (600) + B (0) + C (200) = 800 (pour B into C)
A (100) + B (500) + C (200) = 800 (pour A into B to refill)
A (100) + B (400) + C (300) = 800 (transfer B contents to C up to 300 ml)
The third solution is identical to the second, except adds a final step:
A (800) + B (0) + C (0) = 800
A (300) + B (500) + C (0) = 800 (pour A into B)
A (300) + B (200) + C (300) = 800 (pour B into C)
A (600) + B (200) + C (0) = 800 (pour C into A)
A (600) + B (0) + C (200) = 800 (pour B into C)
A (100) + B (500) + C (200) = 800 (pour A into B to refill)
A (100) + B (400) + C (300) = 800 (transfer B contents to C up to 300 ml)
A (400) + B (400) + C (0) = 800 (transfer C contents to A)
Further information, and alternative strategies for students recording their solutions, can be found using an internet search under ‘The Jugs Problem’. The following sites were active in 2008.
Barycentric coordinates – A curious application by Alex Bogomolny
http://www.cut-the-knot.org/triangle/glasses.shtml
The Jugs Problem http://mathcentral.uregina.ca/QQ/database/QQ.09.98/lane1.html
and the wonderfully detailed 12-page resource
Three Jugs by James King http://www.math.washington.edu/~nwmi/materials/3jugs.pdf
Assessment:
The IB does not recommend every task MYP students complete be assessed.
However, you (or your students) may want to assess this activity by applying the mathematics ‘investigations’ rubric to each participating group, in order to familiarise students with the criterion in a non-threatening manner, as a formative assessment strategy.
• The MYP Mathematics assessment criterion Investigating Patterns (below) can be modified for Year 1 students in student-friendly language.
The following example indicates how this may be applied:
|
Modified CRITERION B – Investigating Patterns for a MYP 1 group |
|
|
Achievement Level |
Descriptor |
|
0 |
Does not attempt the work. |
|
1-2 |
With help and support, can write simple formulaic solutions to the problem, after a pouring step. |
|
3-4 |
Writes the formulaic solution for each pouring step. This leads to a correct sequence of mathematical instructions. |
|
5-6 |
The sequence of instructions developed by the student lead to at least one solution of the problem. These solutions are reached by trial-and-error. |
|
7-8 |
Evaluates the solutions, recognises general patterns and modifies them to show the simplest series of steps to reach each solution. Can explain reasons for the modifications. |
ACTIVITY 3 KIRIKITI
Build-up – pre-requisite subject knowledge or background information for the teacher.
This is an example of how cross-cultural exchange has changed a traditional English game to a popular version played throughout many parts of the Pacific, but which probably originated in Samoa. Differences with the traditional game include:
- Played by male and female players
- Team size is not limited
- Mechanical differences in the stumps, balls and bats
- 2 bowlers – one at each end of the pitch – and the rest of the team on the field.
- 2 batters – one at each end of the pitch – just in front of the stumps.
- Games can last several days, interspersed with feasting and dancing!
Equipment required:
Stumps: 6 (or more – have spares) 1- 1.1 m long green sticks. Possibly 1 cm dowel can be substituted but this is more likely to be brittle.
Balls: Balls are about the size of cricket balls but have far less mass. Wrap many unvulcanised rubber bands around a core (a balloon filled with grain, perhaps?) to provide an object with an unpredictable bounce. (Many spares will be required)
Bats: These are large (approximately 1 m long) and triangular in cross section, and made from a light material (kapok tree wood is a traditional material). If unable to manufacture these, PVC plumbing pipes could be a substitute.
Wicket: Traditional
References:
Many internet sites describe Kirikiti as a game with many variations (including the materials, particularly the balls), others can supply equipment such as bats. The following sites contain useful images that may help schools construct their own equipment and were active in 2008.
• Kirikiti on Everything Development Company http://everything2.com/index.pl?node_id=1680289
• AUCKLAND MUSEUM- VAKA MOANA- KIRIKITI Many images on
http://www.ethnic.co.nz/default.asp?selCatID=259&pid=331
• http://www.travelpod.com/travel-photo/mmartinskerm/fiji-2004/1114456080/imgp2129.jpg/YES.html A travel photo titled: Kirikiti from Apia, Samoa taken by TravelPod member mmartinskerm.
Discussion question How can my participation in the game, Kirikiti benefit my health?
Aerobic, fitness (physical) awareness/ consideration of team members (mental, emotional)
Assessment:
The IB does not recommend every task MYP students complete be assessed.
However, you (or your students) may want to assess this activity by applying the PE Criterion D: social skills and personal engagement’ rubric to individuals, in order to familiarise students with the criterion in a non-threatening manner, as a formative assessment strategy.
• The MYP assessment criterion Social Skills and Personal Engagements can be modified for Year 1 students in student-friendly language.



