Math PenPals

Date: Tue, 13 Sep 1994 12:00:11 -0700
From: Leisa Winrich <lwinrich@quest.arc.nasa.gov>
Subject: OFFICIAL MATH PENPALS ANNOUNCEMENT

ANNOUNCEMENT OF KIDLINK PROJECT

MATH PENPALS: COMMUNICATION THROUGH NUMBERS

     My sixth grade learning disabilities class expressed
disappointment when they thought they couldn't participate
in keypal exchanges. Since the focus of the class was not
written language, students presumed they couldn't
communicate with others by e-mail. But, through further
class discussion, we discovered math DOES help us
communicate. We can grow to better understand our global
neighbors and their environments by exchanging and studying
numbers.

     Therefore, we would like to welcome you to join a new
KIDLINK project, MATH PENPALS: COMMUNICATION THROUGH
NUMBERS. This on-going project will encourage students to
contrast and compare numbers, while learning more about our
electronic community.

A. BACKGROUND:

     North Middle School is located in Menomonee Falls, WI,
USA which is 12 miles northwest of Milwaukee. My classes
joined the KIDLINK community in February, 1994  and have
been very active. The learning disabled students who will be
coordinating this project with me are currently in 6th grade
and range in age from 11-13.  Since school began on August
25, 1994 we have been identifying how we use math in our
daily routines in hopes of broadening our understanding of
the importance of numbers.

B. EDUCATIONAL GOALS AND OBJECTIVES:

     1. Students will improve  telecommunication skills by
reading and sending e-mail messages.
     2. Students will establish e-mail exchanges with
students in a global setting.
     3. Students will identify sites of e-mail partners
using given latitudes/longitudes.
     4. Students will become familiar with measurements in
both metric and US equivalents.
     5.Students will record daily high/low temperatures and
determine a method for comparing/contrasting and
representing the given data.
     6.Students will record weekly precipitation and
maintain a log of incoming data.
     7.Students will participate in classroom activities and
describe these activities via e-mail to their math penpals.
     8.Students will identify examples of "math in the real
world" to be shared with project participants.
     9.Students will participate and suggest monthly surveys
and activities.
     10. Students will compare/contrast/discuss pricing
information.
     11. Students will 'talk' via KIDLINK IRC and exchange
examples of math activities and utilization of math in their
environment.