ETHNOMATHEMATICS

MESSIN’ AROUNDIN THE MĀLĀ

BY MELISSA FERREIRA

ELEMENTARY THIRD GRADETIMEFRAME THREE 45 - 60 MINUTE PERIODS

MATH

3.MD.D.8Solve real world and mathematical problems involving perimeters of polygons, including finding the perimeter given the side lengths, finding an unknown side length, and exhibiting rectangles with the same perimeter and different areas or with the same area and different perimeters.

HCPS III-SCIENCETOPIC: Scientific InquiryBENCHMARK SC.3.1.2: Safely collect and analyze data to answer a questionNA HOPENA A’O

1. Strengthened Sense of Hawai‘i2. Strengthened Sense of Responsivity

How can our Hau‘ula keiki use the the mālā to perpetuate Hawaiian culture and values?

STANDARD BENCHMARKS AND VALUES

ENDURING UNDERSTANDINGS:The mālā was a cultivated piece of land for the Hawaiian people. They planted and cared for many native plant (kalo, uala, ‘ulu, ki (ti leaves), and many other native Hawaiian plants. These plants have a significant role in Hawaiian culture and history.

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Messin’ Around in the Mālā 2

CRITICAL SKILLS AND CONCEPTS:1. Use observation skills to collect data 2. To practice measuring accurately3. To find the perimeter and area of the mālā in

anthropic and standardized units4. To learn the importance of the Mālā to the

Hawaiian people

AUTHENTIC PERFORMANCE TASK:1. Students will observe and measure

the Mālā at Hau‘ula Elementary School. They will practice measuring in anthropic units as well as standardized units to find the perimeter of the mālā.

2. Students will care for the Mālā at Hau‘ula Elementary school by preparing the garden for planting Hawaiian Plants (Uala, Ti, Ulu, and Taro)

AUTHENTIC AUDIENCE: Third Grade Students at Hau‘ula Elementary School

OTHER EVIDENCE: 1. Students will keep a scientific journal of

their observations2. Students will reflect on their experiences in

the Mālā

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1. Ho‘olohe (15 minutes-First Class Period)- Brainstorm (Using Attached Circle Map)

a. Ask students what Mālā means (garden)/tell them if they don’t know. Have them write it in the center circle of the circle map in both Hawaiian and English.

b. Ask, what do we grow in our gardens at home?c. What do you think the Hawaiians might have grown in

their Mālā?i. Ask students for background knowledge

on gardensd. How to care for the garden, what you would need to

start a garden, etc.e. Explain the importance of gardens for the Hawaiian

Peoplef. Ask what might we keep track of in the garden, or

what could we measure in the garden?i. Perimeter, area, number of plants, weight of

produce, height of plants, capacity of water they water the garden with, etc.?

2. Ho‘opili (30 minutes- First Class Period)a. Explain that the Hawaiian people used their body for

measuring things, these are called anthropic units.b. Teach the students the types of anthropic units.

Anakahi kino (Hawaiian anthropic measurements): ‘Owā ½ finger’s width Mākahi 1 finger’s width Mālua 2 fingers’ width Mākolu 3 fingers’ width Māhā 4 fingers’ widthKīko‘o the diagonal distance from tip of pointer finger to tip of thumb (on same hand) Pī‘ā from tip of middle finger to heel of hand (or bottom of palm)Kaulua from tip of thumb to tip of pinky finger outstretched (i.e., a span or “shaka”) Ha‘ilima from tip of middle finger to elbow Iwilei from tip of middle finger to center of collar boneMuku from tip of middle finger to elbow of opposite arm ‘Anana from tip of middle finger to tip of other middle finger (i.e., a wingspan or fathom)

c. Give students graphic organizer to help them remember the units

d. Have students work with a partner to measure each anthropic unit in centimeter/inches (See Attached Worksheet)

e. Closing Discussioni. Ask, why would we need to measure things in

the mālāii. Ask, what could we use if we didn’t have a ruler,

yard stick, measuring tape, etc.iii. Ask, what are some other units (other than

anthropic units) that we can use to measure-Feet, inches, meters, cm, mm, etc.

iv. Review the definition of perimeter. 3. Ho‘ohana (45 minutes- Second Class Period)

a. Have students break up into groups of 4.b. Explain to each group that when it is their turn they

measure the lengths of the sides of the garden so they can figure out the perimeter of the garden using Hawaiian Anthropic Units.

c. Guide groups in measuring the perimeter as well as other things in the garden. i. Students will need help figuring out what unit to

measure big things versus what unit to measure smaller things.

ii. Have students record what they measure on their worksheet. Help them calculate the perimeter (adding up all the sides)

d. While the group of 4 students is working on the perimeter, other groups will be working in the garden. Building planter boxes, moving dirt, pulling weeds, watering, etc.

4. Ho‘opuka (45 minutes- Third Class Period)a. Each group will share with the rest of the class

- Their perimeter in anthropic units- Other things they measured in the garden- What they learned about working in the Mālā

b. Closing Discussioni. Why was everyone’s perimeters different?ii. Are our class perimeters’ relatively close? Why

would that be?iii. When might we use standardized units vs. an

anthropic unit?

LEARNING PLAN

REFERENCES/RESOURCES:‘Āina in School Curriculum

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Messin’ Around in the Mālā 4

MESSIN’ AROUND IN OUR MĀLĀ

INOA DATE

WHAT IS A MĀLĀ?

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MESSIN’ AROUND IN OUR MĀLĀ NA ANAKAHI HAWAI‘I (HAWAIIAN UNITS OF MEASUREMENT)

My Na Anakahi Hawai‘i Inches CentimetersPī‘ā - from tip of middle finger to heel of hand

Kīko‘o- from tip of thumb to tip of pinky finger outstretched “shaka”

Ha‘ilima - from tip of middle finger to elbow

Iwilei - from tip of middle finger to center of collar bone

Muku - from tip of middle finger to elbow of opposite arm

‘Anana - from tip of middle finger to tip of other middle finger

‘

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Messin’ Around in the Mālā 6

MEASURING OUR MĀLĀ

INOA DATE

Directions: Please label the dimensions of our mālā using the Na Anakahi Hawai‘i (Anthropic Units)

1. What is the perimeter of our mālā in anthropic units (‘anana, pī‘ā, kīko’o, etc.)?

2. What is the area of our mālā in anthropic units?

3. Measure something else in the mālā.a. What did you measure?

b. What is the measurement?

MESSIN’ AROUND IN OUR MĀLĀ

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