Learning Real World Mathematics

At RMS, we understand the importance of extending what is learned in the classroom to real world situations, especially when learning mathematics. Experts like S.Wuolle (2016) suggest that students who experience meaningful real world connections are better able to apply their mathematics knowledge and skills, and can adapt to new situations (Boaler, 1998). Additionally, the British Columbia Ministry of Education states that real world connections are necessary in order to build numeracy in students (2008). So what is real world connection? Simple analogies, analysis of real data, discussion of mathematics in society, hands-on representation of mathematics concepts, mathematical modeling of real phenomena, and even the classic word problem can be considered to be real world connections (Gainsburg, 2008). Therefore, our teachers at RMS do their best to bring real world examples into the classroom. Recently some of the Grade 3 students extended their learning experience of the mathematical concept of estimating sums and applied it to the real world situation of grocery shopping. Each group of students was given a grocery flyer and was assigned the task of preparing a grocery list and estimating the cost of the list. The students were very excited to see what is was like to walk in mom and dad’s shoes for a while, as they eagerly began picking out grocery items for a healthy, balanced grocery list and then rounding the amounts to add up the cost of their lists. Below is a video that shows our smart 21st century learners busy collaborating with their friends to stay on budget with groceries!