Base Systems

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Active Learning | Transformation Level

Subject: Math

Video Transcription

[Teacher voiceover]

I teach fifth grade. It’s a mosaic class, which is a little different from the regular math class. It’s more of higher-level thinking. We get to do projects in here, so it gives us different variations from the regular math class.

This whole week we’ve exposed them to what the base-10 system that we do when we count normally is, but we’re trying to challenge them. We said “Okay, let’s think of a different system, something that you can make up.

So we came up with a scenario that I was Queen Dodge from another planet, and I had these aliens and we needed a number system. So they were to come up with the number system.

[Student 1 speaking]

Well, we’re making up different base systems. We use base 10 where we live and some other places use base 5, and so we’re going to make up base for the aliens. Our group made up base 8 because they have four antennas and two fingers on each hand. Some other groups are doing like base six and base 4.

[Teacher voiceover]

They had a variation of technology to use. Some chose smart boards, we had document cameras available, a webcam, we had a camera on a tripod, ipads, iphones… we had the whole gamut and they even had some websites that they could go on and make a movie with.

[Student 1 speaking]

It’s more fun than doing book work. It’s more fun than just sitting in a classroom and learning. It’s because you’re actually getting to like learning on your own.

Video Transcription
[Teacher voiceover]

I teach fifth grade. It’s a mosaic class, which is a little different from the regular math class. It’s more of higher-level thinking. We get to do projects in here, so it gives us different variations from the regular math class.

This whole week we’ve exposed them to what the base-10 system that we do when we count normally is, but we’re trying to challenge them. We said “Okay, let’s think of a different system, something that you can make up.

So we came up with a scenario that I was Queen Dodge from another planet, and I had these aliens and we needed a number system. So they were to come up with the number system.

[Student 1 speaking]

Well, we’re making up different base systems. We use base 10 where we live and some other places use base 5, and so we’re going to make up base for the aliens. Our group made up base 8 because they have four antennas and two fingers on each hand. Some other groups are doing like base six and base 4.

[Teacher voiceover]

They had a variation of technology to use. Some chose smart boards, we had document cameras available, a webcam, we had a camera on a tripod, ipads, iphones… we had the whole gamut and they even had some websites that they could go on and make a movie with.

[Student 1 speaking]

It’s more fun than doing book work. It’s more fun than just sitting in a classroom and learning. It’s because you’re actually getting to like learning on your own.

Objectives

  • Students will create a base system that is used by aliens.
  • They will choose different forms of technology to present their base system.

Procedure

  • Students will create a base system that will be used by their aliens.
  • Students will have access to the Smartboard, document cameras, webcams, a camera on a tripod, iPads, iPhones, and websites.
  • Students will present their base system to their class.

Technology Present

  • Smartboard (interactive whiteboard)
  • Document camera
  • Webcam
  • Video camera on a tripod
  • iPad (tablet computer)
  • iPhone (smartphone, handheld)
  • Websites

Grade Level: 3-5

Note: The TIM is about teaching, not technology. The placement of a lesson on the TIM is based entirely on the teaching practices demonstrated in the lesson and not on the specific technology employed. Effective pedagogy is our concern, not whether the tech involved is the latest, greatest, or most expensive. In fact, most of the sample videos were recorded some time ago as part of the original development of the Technology Integration Matrix. As you view these videos, focus on the teaching practices. When using the TIM-O to observe a lesson, remember that you can display the detailed indicators by clicking the tab on the right if you are completing a Matrix-based observation or are reviewing the TIM profile of a question-based lesson. The TIM Tools Admin Guide contains additional suggestions for observing a lesson and developing a TIM profile.

Video Reference Number: 1058

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