Math Theater is a cooperative group activity where students write, produce, direct, and act out a math problem for the rest of the class. There are several roles for this activity like writer, producer, director, actors, stage design, and props. However, you can simplify the activity to 2, 3, or 4 students and combine the roles. My students enjoyed this activity and demonstrated a lot of ingenuity and creativity. In addition math word problems can confuse children, but this venue seems to help the students to understand as they take more ownership.
I think using theater in class to help get kids interested in solving word problems is great idea, but other than stating that is the goal this product in no way helps with that. It is a one page sheet that instructs kids to write the word problem, and the solution and draw a picture of it.
February 24, 2010
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I jump started my teaching career as a Director of Head-Start in the Bronx. Then I moved back to Rhode Island and taught for 11 years in Warwick as a kindergarten teacher. When I had my son I dreamed of opening my own school. My dream cane true when he was three My husband and I built from scratch a private nursery and kindergarten school in my back yard on 5 acres of land in East Greenwich, Rhode Island. The school was modeled after an old fashioned schoolhouse, but a modern colorful interior. My dad took sick nine years later, and I sold the school and moved with my son to Florida to help and support my parents. I taught 21 years for Broward County in Florida. I started as a kindergarten teacher, but I also taught pre-first, first, and currently second grade at Atlantic West Elementary. In 1998 I created a website for teachers, parents, and students called Mrs. Alphabet where I could share my knowledge and resources with the cybernet community. I write a free newsletter which integrates the available internet resources with a theme. I am currently teaching second grade gifted at a Title One school as part of the Effective Teacher Program in Broward County.
