From: Carol.Hooper@f105.n381.z1.fidonet.org (Carol Hooper)
Newsgroups: k12.ed.math
Subject: MathMagic Guide
Date: Wed, 20 Jan 93 22:32:42 PDT
Organization: FidoNet node 1:381/105 - Hawks BBS K12Net, El Paso TX

                    GUIDE TO MATHMAGIC
WELCOME TO MATHMAGIC!
WHAT IS MATHMAGIC?
MathMagic allows students from around the world with
students from other schools to solve math problems with each
other using computers and modems to communicate.
WHO MAY PARTICIPATE?
Participation is open to any student in grades K-12, either
on an individual or team basis.  Teams, if desired, may be
formed by teachers incorporating MathMagic in their class-
rooms.  Communication may occur between individual and teams
but solutions will be evaluated in separate categories.
WHAT KIND OF PROBLEMS WILL BE GIVEN?
Problems chosen as MathMagic problems will be based on the
following criteria:
    1.  They capture student interest and imagination.
    2.  The solution is not immediately obvious.
    3.  The problem can be solved using more than one
        strategy.
    4.  The problem is within the computational skill level
        of the student(s).
    5.  The solution time is reasonable.
    6.  There may be more than one solution.
    7.  The solution is defined well enough so that students
        know when a solution has been reached.
NOTE:  Problems may be submitted for consideration by any
and all interested parties by simply addressing them to:
Carol Hooper, (Compuserve 76550,221).
HOW OFTEN WILL WE GET PROBLEMS TO SOLVE?
Problems will be issued during six-week periods called
"problem cycles".  The entire cycle covers the time from the
day you get the problem to the day the problem is due to be
turned in to MathMagic.  A time line will be posted.
HOW DO STUDENTS WORK ON A PROBLEM?
    1.  Simply log on the first day of the
        problem cycle.
    2.  Problems will be posted in a message addressed to
        "All."  Subject line will indicate cycle number
        and corresponding dates.  For example: " Subject:
        Cycle 1 - Sept 8-18" means problems are for Cycle 1
        with a starting date of Sept. 8 and solution format
        due date of Sept. 18.
    3.  Look at the problem for your grade level.
    4.  Get out the thinking cap and begin to discuss
        strategies with students in your grade level from
        around the world.  Enter messages, share ideas, work
        towards a solution while discovering new friends
        from within your city, other states, and even other
        nations.  IMPORTANT:  Your first message must
        indicate your grade level and whether you are
        working as a team or individual.  All teams must
        list names of team members for proper credit as well
        as the sponsoring school, if applicable.  As this
        information is received by MathMagic management,
        updated postings will be made available, listing
        participants in team and individual categories by
        grade level to help you locate other students with
        whom you can discuss the current problem.
HOW DO WE SUBMIT OUR SOLUTIONS?
Solutions are turned in anytime before the last day of the
problem cycle and are written in a specific format.  This
format is:
    1.  State the problem, listing the knowns and unknowns
        and any assumptions which are made.
    2.  Explain the strategy, or strategies.  Suggested
        strategies are:
        a.  Work a simpler case and apply.
        b.  Look for a pattern to apply.
        c.  Make a wild guess and check your answer.
        d.  Make a table, chart, or diagram; use a model.
        e.  Label known parts and unknown parts with
            variables.
        f.  Write an equation relating the knowns and
            unknowns.
        g.  Work backwards.
        h.  Work for a subgoal.
        i.  Find a related problem or strategy you can
            apply.
        j.  If all else fails, act it out.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE SOLUTIONS ARE TURNED IN?
Solutions will be examined by evaluators.  Submissions will
be evaluated based on grade level and whether the solution
is an individual or team effort.  Recognition will be
awarded in the following categories: Outstanding Creativity,
Outstanding Solution, Outstanding Effort, Outstanding Team
Work, Outstanding Individual Work, Outstanding Strategy,
Outstanding Problem Format, and Honorable Mention in each
category.  There will also be one overall Sweepstakes
recognition award given every six weeks.  The results will
be posted in same MathMagic where the problems are posted,
and in the MathMagic newsletter published every six weeks.
MATHMAGIC RULES OF CONDUCT
There are some important rules which must be followed as you
participate in MathMagic.  Any violation of these rules will
result in your school group or your MathMagic team being
disqualified from the project.
    1.  No abusive language will be tolerated at any time.
    2.  Communications are to be strictly within your
        MathMagic grade level and any official MathMagic
        personnel.  At no time will any individual or team
        interfere with or harass any other individual or
        team in any way.
    3.  Participants may communicate with other participants
        requesting ideas, sharing thoughts, etc.   In fact,
        this communication is encouraged!!!!
    4.  We encourage you to get to know those participating
        in MathMagic and hope that you will share
        information about each other.  As long as your
        messages include discussion of the problem issued,
        there is no need to refrain from personal
        discussion.
CONCLUSION
You will find many friends in the telecommunications
environment and learn many new things about Math and the
students that you meet.  Enjoy yourself, and thanks for your
participation.
Please contact me, Carol Hooper, for additional info.


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