Personal Connection

Before starting this project, my personal approach to inquiry was to establish the problem and solve it.  Generally I do not write everything down using a model.  This really hasn't changed how I would go about an inquiry, as I usually think and solve rather than write and solve.  Journaling has never been something that I enjoyed or needed to solve issues, but I have appreciated the differing view point.

Waving and Wishing

Waving

I have communicated with others within my school so far, as well as with a few friends and family.  I don't particularly want it on the web, so that will not be a communication avenue that I would pursue at this time.  So far, no one has had any improvements on my invention, but I am always open to suggestions from peers.

Wishing

 I think my project went swimmingly.  The project's strengths were creating an excellent tool for organization of my math tools.  The students have enjoyed having their tools at their fingertips, and I have more instructional time.  It was challenging to actually come up with the initial idea.  I went through a number of ideas that were not cost effective or as practical.  I honestly do not know what could have been done differently.  I did my research and came up with a product that perfectly suited my instructional needs. 

Typically, a blog on the web is not something that could be utilized in my school because this type of media is not allowed via our public school server.  However, the assignment is much like what the students would experience in a media center or lab because I had to establish a problem, research an answer, and finally, create a solution to the problem.  When students enter a media center or lab, they will have to go through the same thought processes as I did.  Having this experience to be able to relate to the questions they need to ask has been very valuable.

Wrapping

This can be used by other teachers who need to organize materials for their class.  I created my own frame for the tubs to fit into because I couldn't find anything to purchase that would work.  I have shared this product with other teachers in my school and made other frames for teachers there as well.  Word of mouth is how my information is currently being shared. 

The following pictures demonstrate what I have created and how I have put it into use.

This is the completed frame with the Velcro attached to the sides and on the desk.

This shows the frame attached to the desks, with a desk on either side of the frame.  (You can see the hole in the middle of the frame between the desks for the tub).

This shows the tub in the frame with the various math tools and supplies.

This shows the tub lid that has been painted dark blue because the white lids got dirty very quickly!

And finally, this shows how the tubs are set up in the classroom.  Each pair of students shares a tub with their math tools easily accessible inside.

I have been using the frames and tubs this year, and so far, the efficiency of the tubs has been a huge success.  Each student likes having his or her own supplies right at hand when they need it, and they can keep their space organized.  This gives me more time for instruction, so I spend less passing out needed supplies.  Each student is responsible for their own shared tub, so they also learn responsibility and accountability for their own things.

Weaving

After all of my research into purchasing what I need to organize my students math tools, I have come to the conclusion that I will have to invent my own solution.

What materials will I need? 
I found that wood would be the easiest and and least expensive to work with.  I thought about taking a piece of luan and making a frame in the shape of a rectangle with a hole in the middle to drop the tub into it.  After discussing this with my husband, we decided that that type of wood might not be sturdy enough for classroom use.  The next idea was to make a frame with 1" x 2" wood.  The frame would be sturdy enough that 3rd graders should not be able to break it.

How will it be attached to the desk? 
The frame is my property, but the desks belong to the school.  How can the frame be attached in a way that is not permanent.  They can't be glued or nailed or screwed to the desks.  My husband suggested using Velcro that has the sticky back.  It could be attached to the frame and desk.  The frame would them be removable and the Velcro could be removed if necessary.  The man is a genius!

Wiggling and Weaving

Since I have a definite lack of information, I will have to rely on my own previous experience and existing knowledge of organization.  I tried putting the math tools in tubs with lids so they can be stacked when not in use.  This kept the tools together in a convenient place.  One problem was the loss of instructional time involved with retrieving the tubs and then putting them back after use.  The other drawback was where to put the tub when in use.  The student's desks are not big enough for these to stay on them while they are working.  This meant that the students set them on the floor.  Third graders are not known for sitting quietly at their desks and working.  They are very active so the tubs were stepped on, knocked over with the contents splilled, kicked (accidentally, I'm sure), and even broken.  This was not a good solution for the problem.
I have discussed this problem with the other math teachers.  Some of the other teachers have large tables for students instead of desks.  This enabled them to put supplies in the middle of the table.  Tables are not an option for my classroom.  I will have to come up with my own solution.  There does not seem to be one available.  Maybe this is not a concern for others??  Maybe I just like organization too much!

Webbing

I have checked catalogs of different school supply companies and cannot find anything that would work in my classroom.  I have talked with teachers at my school, as well as other teachers from other schools.  No one has been able to give me any ideas of how to accomplish this task of organizing my math tools.  The Teacher Edition of our math book gives me the information of what should be in the tool kit, but not how to best organize it in the classroom.  I have visited stores like School Box and even places like WalMart, Target, Home Depot, and Lowes, to look for ideas that might turn the "light bulb" on in my head.  So far, nothing!!  Just frustration.  I have Googled all kinds of different ideas.  You can sure waste a lot of time doing that!  I may have to invent my own system.  They say that necessity is the mother of invention. Hmmmm.