WebQuest & Podcast

These aren't terms you usually hear me use! But when I was looking around at the Pythagorean Theorem resources online, I found this cumulative project (assessment piece) called Do You Like Your Job?. It is a math WebQuest so if you are integrating computers into your teaching, it may be just the thing you are looking for. It sets up a premise that you have a surly boss who will fire you if you aren't working well and you have to decide whether a parcel of land he is interested in will or will not meet his needs for minimum square footage and perimeter. You and your team have to write a persuasive letter and record a podcast explaining why or why not he wants this piece of land. Of course, if you do the math wrong, you'll get fired! (The podcast is so that you can send it as a phone message to Mr. Meanie while he relaxes during his vacation in Aruba.) Interesting concept, if you are integrating technology into your Math lessons. Still fun if you aren't, since a persuasive letter can be done in a regular classroom setting. You can do it as a team or just one child. This teacher uses the persuasive letter and the podcast as the assessment pieces to see if his students understand the application of the Pythagorean Theorem in a real-life setting.

So, I'm passing it along...