Cookie preferences

HundrED uses cookies to enhance user experiences, to personalise content, and analyse our web traffic. By clicking "Accept all" you agree to the use of all cookies, including marketing cookies that may help us deliver personalised marketing content to users. By selecting "Accept necessary" only essential cookies, such as those needed for basic functionality and internal analytics, will be enabled.
For more details, please review our Cookie Policy.
Accept all
Accept necessary
keyboard_backspace Back to HundrED
Lasse Leponiemi

Chairman, The HundrED Foundation
first.last@hundred.org

Building the Town of NumberOpolis!

A place for every number: design; create; and communicate.

Imagination, global numeric linkages and recycled materials encourage students to experiment with math on their own terms. The multi-disciplinary one-day to full-year engaging program alleviates math anxiety and sparks critical thinking. Its flexibility ignites collaboration with STEM/STEAM programs, as per the film series, The Travelling Numbers Show and designing a learning environment.

Overview

Information on this page is provided by the innovator and has not been evaluated by HundrED.

Updated June 2019
Web presence

2015

Established

10

Countries
All students
Target group
Building a house for a number allows students to think creatively both when designing and then communicating their ideas, numerical knowledge and global connections.

About the innovation

Media

Photo
Banner to invite audience to the DC Maker Faire to Build the Town of NumberOpolis!
Photo
9 and 3 showing graphically the relationship between square and square root
Photo
Learners busy putting the clock puzzle together
Photo
Middle School puzzle of 6 hexagons creating a single regular hexagon
Photo
Puzzle island NumberOpolis!
Video
Cinco de Mayo trailer featuring guest, Cinco and students of Youngblood Intermediate School
https://vimeo.com/340974633This trailer showcases the forthcoming film developed in collaboration with 5th and 6th grade students at Youngblood Intermediate School in Houston, Texas, USA. Students worked on all aspects of the filming process: subject matter; dialogue; research; jokes; puppeteering; filming; voices; numeric Loteria game; and live action finale. The final film and associated materials will be released during July 2019.
Video
Episode 7, featuring Special Guest, Pi
https://youtu.be/gVDN2aepmUgLocate the associated learning guide, scavenger hunt, and associated learning materials at www.numbersalive.org/thenumbersshow/ 
Video
Episode 6, with Special Guests e and Number 4
https://youtu.be/JRUcxXMpeAELocate the associated learning guide and scavenger hunt at www.numbersalive.org/thenumbersshow/ 
Video
Episode 5 with special guest, Phi
https://youtu.be/Hq2ynA-gii8Locate the associated learning guide, scavenger hunt, and phi slides at www.numbersalive.org/thenumbersshow/ 
Video
Episode 4 Holiday Special!
https://youtu.be/veUVOjueykILocate the associated learning guide and scavenger hunt at www.numbersalive.org/thenumbersshow/ 
Video
Episode 3 with special guest, Number Eight!
https://youtu.be/AhJfOJKIoAYLocate the associated learning guide, scavenger hunt, and digital crossword puzzle at www.numbersalive.org/thenumbersshow/ 
Video
Episode 2 with special guests the Two Twins
https://youtu.be/j3bcUpN2jo0Locate the associated learning guide and scavenger hunt at www.numbersalive.org/thenumbersshow/ 
Video
Episode 1 featuring special guest, Number One!
https://youtu.be/isJGKsiz8eULocate the associated learning guide and scavenger hunt at www.numbersalive.org/thenumbersshow/ 
Show more

Implementation steps

Introductory Summary and Visualization of Numbers 0-9

BUILDING NUMBEROPOLIS!*

IMAGINE, CREATE AND HELP BUILD THE TOWN WHERE THE NUMBERS LIVE!

SELECT THE NUMBER 0 – 9, or π, ϕ, ∞, c, e, i, or ꓰ WHOSE HOUSE YOU WANT TO BUILD AND DECORATE

1.THINK WHERE YOU ENCOUNTER THAT NUMBER IN YOUR ENVIRONMENT--OR THE WORLD!

CHECK OUT THE POWERPOINT SLIDE ABOUT EACH NUMBER TO GIVE YOU SOME HINTS

2.IMAGINE HOW YOU CAN INCORPORATE SOME OF THE NUMERIC CHARACTERISTICS OF THE NUMBER IN YOUR CONSTRUCTION

3.WRITE UP YOUR DESIGN-THINKING AS TO HOW TO CONSTRUCT YOUR HOUSE, DECORATE IT AND ADD ACCESSORIES (SUCH AS VEHICLE)

4.CREATE YOUR HOUSE AND THEN TURN IT INTO A HOME WITH DECORATIONS

THINK: WHAT MAKES A HOUSE A HOME?

5.USE YOUR IMAGINATION, PAPER, CARDBOARD, TOILET PAPER ROLL CENTERS, DUCT TAPE, STICKERS, MARKERS, ETC.

6.ADD ACCESSORIES, SUCH AS VEHICLES, GARDENS, ROADS, PARKS

7.CONSIDER WHERE IN THE TOWN YOUR HOUSE SHOULD BE PUT

8.WORK WITH EVERYONE TO PUT THE TOWN TOGETHER

*One-page sign for public events or to distribute to teams when beginning the building process for structured programs

Number Photo Walk/Number Scavenger Hunt

Make a book of numeric representations of each number 0-9 (if 10 children or 10 small groups). Let the children observe the number of their group in their environment: quantity; shape (number of points for 0-2) and points/sides for 3+; name or order. Adapt the concept to the age of the children. Discussing quantity and shape together is critical to foundational mathematical thinking.

Children will find things that are small and low! Another option is to suggest the students look for designs of plant leaves, car wheels, or posters. Some numbers are easier than others to locate (many flowers with 5-petals), but it is also a great introduction to natural and man-made patterns.

Adaptable Teacher Guide
The document was developed for a specific school's implementation of a 1/2 year Building the Town of NumberOpolis! for upper elementary through Middle School students.
Foundational Math Concepts Through Number Links
Use in class, at home, or when preparing for more in-depth Building the Town of NumberOpolis!

Spread of the innovation

loading map...