Intent

Students review and document their mathematical activity and learning during the course of the unit. Their product is an opportunity for assessing what they have learned and what they believe is important in their learning (see “About Portfolios” in the Overview to the Interactive Mathematics Project). [link to “About Portfolios” in the Overview]

Mathematics

The big mathematical ideas addressed in this unit are described in the introduction to Pit and the Pendulum.

Progression

Students are introduced to the particular expectations for The Pit and the Pendulum portfolio. They review their materials and begin to compile their portfolios.

Approximate Time

20 minutes for introduction

50 minutes for activity (at home or in class)

Classroom Organization

Whole-class introduction, then individuals

Doing the Activity

Have students read the instructions in the student book carefully.

If students do not complete the task in class, have them to take the materials home and finish compiling their portfolios for homework. They should bring the portfolio, with the cover letter as the first item, to the next class.

Discussing and Debriefing the Activity

You may want to have students share their portfolios in their groups, comparing ideas about the mathematical and science concepts they wrote about in their cover letters and the activities they selected.