How math lessons evolve through multiple Robertson Program partnerships

One of the most fulfilling parts of working for The Robertson Program for Inquiry-Based Teaching in Mathematics and Science is seeing our how our partnerships influence one another.

We recently uploaded a series of math lessons to our library and they are a great example ofhow one group of educational partners can design a game or activity that is adapted by another group so that it is relevant for their students.

The Robertson Program used Taking Shape: Activities to Develop Geometric and Spatial Thinking in our professional development with educators from Pegamigaabo School and Mikinaak Onigaming School. After playing Designs and Patterns on Grid, an adapted version of What did you make?, the educators were inspired to create another game that would engage their students: Pentomino Battleship.

Dr. Bev Caswell then took that game to a professional development session offered to private school teachers in Toronto. After the presentation, a Grade 7 teacher shared the game with her colleagues in order to extend the “battleship” idea, and created Pattern Block Coordinates.

Here is a look at how this series of lessons evolved: