51ºÚÁÏ

Aim: To investigate different characteristics of books.

These investigations are designed to get students to use different skills in maths including measurement, cardinality and estimation.

Students can use the books that they have brought in for their investigation or utilise books within the classroom / library. Before handing out any book, make sure it is named so that it can be returned to the right place / owner.

Books can either stay in one place, move around the room at random, or move from group to group after a given time.

Each investigation should be carried out in pairs or threes. Remember to get students to write their names on the investigation sheets!

Each pair or three can select their own question from the Investigation Categories to investigate. The question should be clearly written at the top of their Investigation Sheet. E.g. Which book has the largest area?

Students can think of their own questions too but check whether it is suitable before they start investigating (exact word counts can be very time consuming to research!)

Each group will need:
Investigation Sheet
Conclusion Sheet (optional)
Pencil / pen
Paper to work out calculations
Calculator (optional)

Students will need between 15 and 20 minutes to collect their data.

Ensure that students work out the maths before moving on to the next book.
E.g. if the students are working out the book with the largest area, they must work out the area before investigating the next book.

Finish the investigation by writing a conclusion and sharing with the class.

Optional (due to time)
Students can then draw and colour in the book that satisfies their investigation question using the Conclusion Sheet.
Students can discuss the genre of the books they have investigated and whether certain genres have shared characteristics or put books in order given the criteria.
Pages can be copied and put into books / folders.