4.4. Calendar & Outlines: Giving Directions: Vectors

"A mathematician is a machine for turning coffee into theorems."--Paul Erdös

Caveat Lector: This is a web-friendly version of the activity sheet GIVING DIRECTIONS: VECTORS. You can also download the file (RTF) for your own use. (RTF is Rich Text Format, which can be opened in Microsoft Word, AppleWorks, ClarisWorks, Okito Composer, TextEdit, Mariner Write, and likely other word processors of varying vintages on varying platforms.)

GIVING DIRECTIONS: VECTORS

Here are the group roles. Reach a consensus on who gets what role.

Remember, no islands!

question person
authorized to ask a teacher the group's questions

reader
reads directions and makes sure everyone understands them

materials person
organizes necessary materials and makes sure everyone has something to work on

monitor/reporter
keeps the group on-track ("Zap, what are you doing to contribute?") and takes notes to organize the group's presentation

1. Today our group will invent a "dance" to teach another group. "Dance" for our purposes means "a series of walking motions." Our measurement units will be "steps" (as in "one step forward, two steps back").

2. Our final product will include everything that we plan to give the other group so they can figure out our directions. We will not be allowed to answer any of their questions, so we want our directions to be as clear as possible. We can use diagrams, words, or whatever we need to get our point across. The "dancer" should also be able to start from anywhere in the classroom as long as there are no obstacles (desks, walls, etc.).

3. The group will first create the dance. It doesn't have to be fancy, but it should include 5-7 moves.

4. Each person should write down directions for performing the dance.

5. Exchange directions with one other person in the group and comment on the other person's directions.

6. Discuss the directions that everyone came up with. The monitor/reporter should take notes on this discussion. Decide what directions to give the other group. The materials person will consult the group on how to divide up the work.

7. When our directions are ready, the question person should get Ms. Lee's attention. She will pair us with another group.

8. As a group, we will follow the other group's directions. (Yes, at least one person must "dance.") We may not ask the other group any questions, but they will watch to see if their directions worked.

9. When the other group is also done, we will meet with the other group (remember: no islands!) and discuss the following questions together. Everyone should write down answers:

• What made this easy or hard?
  
• How were our directions similar or different?
  
• What was different from the last time we gave directions in class (using the dots)?
  
• What would have made our directions even more clear?
  
• What does this have to do with math?
  

Both reporters will take notes on the discussion. Both reporters will prepare a joint presentation outline for Wednesday to the entire class on what both groups learned. Reporters can recruit help if they want. (HINT: Someone should demonstrate the "dance"!) Ms. Lee must approve the outline so make sure it will pass inspection.

At the end we should turn in:

• the directions we created
  
• any notes
  
• each person's individual report saying what s/he contributed with 2 examples
  
• the person to the right should write a comment on the individual's contributions and what could be even better next time
  

Copyright © 2002 Yoon Ha Lee <requiescat@cityofveils.com>
Last updated on 20 May 2002