Calculator Experts Years K - 6 Tich Ferenz, Tasmania

This simple idea comes from Tich Ferencz, a secondary teacher in Tasmania. How well it works will depend on the degree to which you provide time for exploration, and the degree to which you demonstrate that you value the activity by encouraging and celebrating student discoveries. The activity can also be applied to scientific and graphic calculators.

Materials

• One calculator per student.

Procedure

Ask each student, or pair of students to select a button on the calculator. Tell them that you expect them to become experts in the way that button works. Ask them to find out everything they can about:

• what it does by itself
• what it does in conjunction with other buttons
• any situations where it seems to have a special effect
• how the calculator would have to be used if this button was not on the calculator