Collaborating with Math in the Library

How do math and library go together?  This is a question I hear all of the time.  I think this is a content that librarians really struggle with working with.  Librarians and math teachers have a hard time seeing where they meet and can collaborate together.  I have been very fortunate in that I have a math coach at my campus that loves the library and encourages her teachers to work with me.  We do have a whole section in the library of books that deal with math; however, the most valuable way that I have been able to support my math teachers is through makerspace.

One of the curriculum topics that students struggle with is circumference.   Based on a lesson that was done on another campus, I decided to work with 7th grade math to have students create hula hoops in a makerspace activity.  Students actually took irrigation tubing that we pre-cut using a PVC cutter, connectors, and duck tape to make their own hula hoops.  They then used string to see the relationship between circumference and diameter, which is Pi!

You will need the following supplies to recreate this math makerspace:

1. Irrigation tubing https://www.lowes.com/pd/ADS-3-4-in-x-100-ft-100-PSI-Plastic-Coil-Pipe/3514714
2. PVC Cutter
3. Connectors https://www.lowes.com/pd/LASCO-10-Pack-3-4-in-Dia-Coupling-Plastic-Coil-Fittings/50139802
4. 150 grit sandpaper
5. Blow dryer
6. Duct tape
7. Twine for circumference

Directions:

1. Pre-cut the tubing into pieces that will close into a circle.
2. Sand down the connector so that it will fit into the tubing.
3. Use the hair dryer to help completely close the tubing onto the connector.  The heat helps mold it on.
4. Use Duct tape to seal the seam and decorate your Hula Hoop.

Here is a link to the directions and activity provided by my awesome math coach, Sara Bordelon!

There you have it, makerspace that supports curriculum!

What kinds of activities have you done with math?