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In my classroom we will primarily use the Everyday Mathematics Program but I do supplement with lessons from Problem of the Day by Evan Moore, Glyphs, The Problem Solver by Goodnow, et.al, and EveryDay Calendar Math activities. |
 
Our district is in its third year of implementing the Everyday Math program. During the year, as we move into new units of study, you will receive an introductory letter highlighting the concepts that will be taught. Please feel free to email me with any questions you may have.
Glyphs, What Are They?
Glyphs are an exciting way for elementary students to collect, display and interpret data. Similar to ancient hieroglyphics, glyphs are a way of representing data pictorially. Students create glyphs, or pictures, in which each detail represents a unique bit of information.
Each glyph has three essential construction elements: the glyph survey (the questions that are asked), the glyph directions (tell what to draw based on the answers given), and the glyph pattern (the final compilation of the data in the picture form).
In our example above, the shape of the hat was determined by answering the question: did you go apple picking this fall? The number of patches on the pants was dependent upon the student's selection of his favorite fall color. There were six elements in our scarecrow glyph that were answered individually, thus making each scarecrow a unique representation of each student.
The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, in their "Curriculum and Evaluation Standards for School Mathematics," places emphasis on data analysis. Once glyphs are created, there are many interesting ways that students can analyze and interpret them. In the process of exploring their glyphs, students are provided opportunities to communicate their mathematical thinking both orally and in writing.
Along with building data analysis and communication skills, glyphs also stimulate students' mathematical reasoning as they compare, contrast and draw conclusions from their data.
(Scarecrow glyph above designed by Dolores Foltz and Karen Ellsworth.)
Graphics by
Graphic Garden | |
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