Math Magazine WebQuest
An Internet WebQuest on math magazine

Created by Ms. Russo
Merrick Avenue Middle School

 

Modified by:

Shannon Everett & Floretta Scott

Clark School of Mathematics & Science

Chickasaw, AL

Mobile County Public School

severett@mcpss.com

fscott@mcpss.com

 

 

Introduction | The Task | The Process & Resources | Conclusion

Teacher Page & Evaluation

Introduction

Your group has been chosen to form the first Math Magazine for teens! We all know how exciting mathematics can be and we want to share this excitement with the whole world! Each of you will be creating exciting articles, puzzles, challenge problems, cartoons and advertisements. You will then edit your individual work as a group and your math teen magazine will be born!

The Quest

You and your partners will have your own specific job as part of the editing team. You can choose to be an editor, a designer, a researcher, an artist, or an organizer. Together, you will collaborate your work and your creative forces to create a magazine masterpiece.

The Process and Resources

I. Each one of you needs to write two articles. The teacher will assign one topic and your group may choose the second topic:

1 Biographical sketch of a Great Mathematician
2. Women in Mathematics
3. Careers involving Math
4. Math and Space
5. Self- Help Article

II. Each one of you needs to create your own Math Challenge Problem. The challenge problem must be a WORD PROBLEM which includes ALGEBRA. (You must supply a solution.)

III. Each one of you needs to create a puzzle using math problems.(DO NOT create a puzzle with math words!) Use the math that we have learned so far this year. (Note: You also need to provide a key for your puzzle.) You may choose to create a:

1. Math cross-number puzzle
2. Decoder puzzle with a message
3. Math Maze
4. Tic Tac Toe

IV. Lastly, each one of you needs to choose one of the following:

1. Create a cartoon about math.
2. Create an advertisement about anything involved with math.

 

Phase 1 - Background: Something for Everyone

Look through different magazines and get ideas for your own magazine. Invent catchy titles for your articles. Be artistic. Display pictures. Make your magazine appealing!

 

Phase 2 - Looking Deeper from Different Perspectives

INSTRUCTIONS FOR YOUR ARTICLES:

I. Articles must be at least four paragraphs long and TYPED.

II. If you choose...

1. Biography Sketch of a Great Mathematician, please include information like: date of birth, where he/she lived, important works or contributions in mathematics and how there contributions are used today.

2. Women in Mathematics, you can either do a biographical sketch of a particular mathematician, or you can name several women mathematicians and their contributions.

3. Careers Involving Math, you must name at least three careers which involve math. You can write an informative article or you can interview people who have careers which involve math.

4. Math and Space, you can explore any topic having to do with space and explain how math is involved.

5. Self-Help, you can discuss any topics that can be useful to math students, such as: 'How to Study for a Math Test', or 'How to Find Math Help on the Internet'.

Biography Sketch of Great Mathematicians/Women in Mathematics

Use the Internet information linked below to research information specifically related to the Biography Sketch of Great Mathematicians and/or Women in Mathematics:

·         Women in Mathematics

·         Famous Mathematicians

 

Careers Involving Math

Use the Internet information linked below to research information specifically related to Careers Involving Math:

·         Profiles on Careers in Math

·         Math Careers

 

Math and Space

Use the Internet information linked below to research information specifically related to the Math and Space article:

·         SPACE

·         EARTH

 

Self-Help Article

Use the Internet information linked below to research information specifically related to the Self-Help article:

·         Math Help

·         Lots of math help

Phase 3 - Debating, Discussing, and Reaching Consensus

When each of you have completed your portion of the magazine, you will work together to create your finished project. Choose one of these three jobs:

1. EDITOR - Main Job: Proofreader; responsible for all spelling, and making sure that all articles stay on topic and are clear and concise.

2. DESIGNER - Main Job: Creative force; responsible for designing the cover, Table of Contents, the layout and any artwork presented in the magazine.

3. ORGANIZER - Main Job: to organize; responsible for keeping the group motivated and making sure that all work is done by the deadline set by the teacher. Also, responsible for correcting all math written for the magazine.

4.      ARTIST – Main Job:  Art work;  responsible for assisting the designer and creating the art work to be presented in the magazine.

5.      RESEARCHER – Main Job:  Research; responsible for researching any topics related to the assigned articles.

P.S.- Make sure that you have indicated somewhere in your magazine the person who was the editor, designer, organizer, artist, and researcher. HAVE FUN!

 

Phase 4 – Power Point Presentation

Each group will present a Power Point Presentation as the final component to your portion of the magazine.  Your Power Point Presentation is to include the following:  Brief overview of group’s magazine pieces, what was involved in locating information, what you learned about the research/writing process. . .  BE CREATIVE!!!!!

Conclusion

So how excited can YOU get about Math?! Take an interest in the topics that you pick. Hand in a quality piece of work. Feel proud to be pioneers of the first Math magazine for teens!