Math Cartoon End of the Year Project By Kate’s Kreations

About the Project At the end of the year, my students tend to get a bit antsy. In order to keep them busy I use projects that summarize the year and allows students to creatively demonstrate what they learned this year. Math Cartoon is a great way to engage student learning and let kids express their learning in a meaningful way. I created this project last year and I differentiated it for both regular and gifted education students. Please feel free to make any necessary changes so that this project is tailored for your students.

Overview: Students will write and compose a math cartoon which explains a topic from one of the units studied this year. Students can work in pairs if you choose to do so. Pick three due dates or progress checks for: Topic of cartoon Rough draft of script Final project due Students can create their cartoons either by hand or with a computer. If using computers, make sure students manage their time since computer time is usually limited. Rough draft should include everything which will be in the final cartoon.

Objectives: Help students retain commonly used mathematical procedures. Integrate math with writing, (Common Core) while providing students the opportunity to utilize both their cognitive and creative abilities. Provide a motivational strategy that will encourage an appreciation for mathematics.

Directions: Students will present their cartoon either with an online cartoon creator (see credits for hyperlinks) or by hand with a template to teach a learned concept from this school year. The script must include (but is not limited to): Appropriate for the character and setting of cartoon Minimum of six slides Uses academic vocabulary which cover the math topic (from approved list) Clean and appropriate Drawings go with topic

Directions continued: The cartoon may include the following: Game show Television show – short story Create characters or use historical figures Sports activity School setting Other ideas must be approved by teacher

Topics: Add/subtract fractions Multiply/divide fractions Fraction-decimal-percent Mixed/improper fractions Comparing fractions GCF/LCM Equivalent fractions Ratios Proportions Comparing decimals Comparing percents Order of operations Exponents Expressions/equations One-step equations Inverse operations Substitution Graphs Cartesian plane Functions Central tendencies – MMMR Histogram Line plot Dot plot (Box-n-Whisker) Area Volume Surface area Integers Absolute value Inequalities

Rubric 4 3 2 1 Points Earned Content Focus on Topic Script Time Limit Category 4 3 2 1 Points Earned Content Student shows a full understanding of the topic. Students shows a good understanding of the topic. Students shows good understanding of parts of the topic. Students does not seem to understand the topic very well. Focus on Topic Stays on topic 100% of the time. Stays on topic 90% of the time. Stays on topic 70-80% of the time. It was hard to tell what the topic was. Script Script is typed or written clearly on paper and is appropriate for characters and setting. Script is not written clearly, but is appropriate for the characters and setting. Script is not appropriate for the characters and setting. No script. Time Limit Presentation has more than 6 slides. Presentation has exactly 6 slides. Presentation has 4-5 slides. Presentation has less than 4 slide. Total Points

Resources: Free Cartoon Websites: http://www.toondoo.com http://www.pixton.com/ http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/interactives/comic/ http://www.makebeliefscomix.com/Comix/ http://cambridgeenglishonline.com/Cartoon_Maker/ https://i.creativecommons.org/l/by-nc-nd/4.0/80x15.png