Math Marvels Bundle: Hidden Figures, The Martian, & October Sky Movie Guides (2024)

✨ Embark on an enlightening journey with the "Math Marvels Bundle." This carefully curated selection of films delves into the powerful themes of perseverance, innovation, and the real-world applications of mathematics. It's perfect for cultivating an appreciation for math, understanding its historical impact, and highlighting the courage it takes to face and overcome intellectual challenges. Note that math itself is not used in these video guides but the films display the use and history of math. ✨


Worksheets Included in the Bundle:
"Hidden Figures" - Discover the untold story of three African-American women mathematicians who played pivotal roles at NASA during the early years of the U.S. space program. This film provides an inspiring look at overcoming racial and gender barriers in the pursuit of scientific excellence.


"October Sky" - Witness the journey of a coal miner's son who dreams of building rockets and eventually wins a science fair with his innovative designs. This film emphasizes the importance of determination, scientific inquiry, and the inspirational power of pursuing one's passions.


"The Martian" - Experience the story of an astronaut stranded on Mars who uses his knowledge of math and science to survive and find a way back to Earth. This film illustrates the practical applications of mathematics and the ingenuity required to solve complex problems.

This bundle offers a diverse and enriching exploration of mathematics in historical and practical contexts, making it an excellent resource for any math class.

The Problem:

Most movie worksheets only check for Depth of Knolwedge Level (DOK) 1 knowledge, leaving students unchallenged and disengaged.

The Solution:

My worksheets spans all Depth of Knolwedge Level (DOK) 1-4, challenging students to not just watch the video but to analyze, evaluate, and draw conclusions.

Hello Fellow Educators! I've crafted a unique and engaging lesson plans centered around these videos. This isn't just a video guide—it's an challenging, educational journey designed to elevate your students' learning experience!

Here's what's included in each set of worksheets:

  • Multifaceted Worksheets: With questions escalating from Depth of Knowledge (DOK) level 1 to level 4, students are progressively challenged in their comprehension, analysis, and application of the film's rich content.
  • Insightful Close Reading Passage: A 1000-word article designed to enhance understanding of the film's key concepts.
  • Fun Coloring Sheets: 2 thematically linked, creative coloring sheets to reinforce learning in a fun, relaxed way.
  • Flexible Usage: Perfect for those unplanned substitute days or for a comprehensive, multi-day lesson plan. You decide how deep the rabbit hole goes!
  • Digital Versions: Available in both printable and digital formats for ease of use in the classroom or for distance learning. (EASEL & Google Slides—Just make a copy and use it in your Google Classroom)

This resource is not just about watching a movie; it's about taking your students on a journey of exploration, critical thinking, problem-solving, and understanding the spirit of the movie. Make your lesson planning a breeze while giving your students an unforgettable learning experience.

Tips for Using the Print version of this Movie Guide:

  1. Prepare Worksheets: For each student, provide a double-sided printout of the worksheet.
  2. Engage with Upcoming Content: Regularly check upcoming questions on the worksheet while progressing through the movie to guide students' attention to key scenes and concepts.
  3. Interactive Discussions: Pause the movie at strategic moments to encourage lively class debates and discussions. This helps students engage more deeply with the material before writing their answers.
  4. Promote Original Thinking: Urge students to come up with their own answers instead of copying, fostering critical thinking and understanding.
  5. Student Participation: Regularly select students at random to share their answers and, if necessary, defend their viewpoints to enhance classroom engagement.
  6. Revisit Important Scenes: If time permits, consider replaying pivotal parts of the movie to reinforce understanding and facilitate deeper analysis.
  7. Time Allocation for Essays: Dedicate a portion of the class (about 5-10 minutes) for students to thoughtfully respond to the evaluative questions at the end of the film.
  8. Tips for a Substitute Teacher: If a substitute teacher will be using the worksheet, emphasize in the lesson plan the importance of having students read instructions carefully and think deeply about their responses.

Tips for Using Google Slides Digital Version:

  1. Click on the link on the second page: make a copy add then add it to your Drive.
  2. Log In and Select Class: Sign in to Google Classroom, and choose your class.
  3. Create Assignment: Click on 'Classwork', then 'Create', and select 'Assignment
  4. Attach Document: Click 'Add', choose your document from Google Drive or upload it, then select 'Make a copy for each student' in the dropdown menu next to the attached file.
  5. Assign: Enter the assignment title and instructions. Set a due date if needed. Click 'Assign' to distribute it to your students.

Mastering Digital Learning with EASEL Activities

FREE Movie Guides & Resources: My resources are crafted to challenge your students, pushing them to engage at the deeper end of the DOK spectrum. Check out these FREE guides.

Movie Guides: Check out my arsenal of movie guides – dive into these categories below or launch a search at my TPT STORE with over 400 resources.

  • Black History
  • Women's History
  • U.S. History
  • Biology
  • World History
Math Marvels Bundle: Hidden Figures, The Martian, & October Sky Movie Guides (2024)

FAQs

What was the mathematics formula that was used in the Hidden Figures movie? ›

As told in the book (and movie) Hidden Figures, Katherine Johnson led the team of African-American women who did the actual calculation of the necessary trajectory from the earth to the moon for the US Apollo space program. They used Euler's method to do this.

Was this new math or old math hidden figures? ›

In the movie, she has a eureka moment while staring at a blackboard and realizes that “old math” might be the solution. She turns to Euler's method, which in layman's terms allows the mathematician to approximate a differential equation numerically without actually ever really solving it.

Is Hidden Figures 100% true? ›

Hidden Figures is a movie based on actual events. While the movie dramatizes some aspects, it is true to the struggles of the women at the center of the story. The victories for racial and gender rights were not achieved easily or quickly, and our work is not done.

What kind of math did Katherine Johnson use? ›

She learned how to solve big problems by using math, especially geometry. Geometry is a kind of math that uses lines, shapes and angles. Katherine studied hard. She graduated from college when she was 18.

Did the bathroom scene in Hidden Figures happen? ›

Neither scene happened in real life, and screenwriter Theodore Melfi said he saw no problem with adding the scenes, saying, "There needs to be white people who do the right thing, there needs to be Black people who do the right thing, and someone does the right thing.

Was math invented by humans or was it discovered? ›

Unlike a light bulb or a computer, mathematics isn't really an invention. It's really more of a discovery. Mathematics encompasses many different types of studies, so its discovery can't even be attributed to one person. Instead, mathematics developed slowly over thousands of years with the help of thousands of people!

What is the New Math called today? ›

'New math', or Common Core math, can look very different from 'old math. ' Both methods get to the same answer, but your child's path to the solution may seem strange to you. Many parents have found themselves in a similar situation, not understanding how to help their child with these new methods.

What is Euler's method formula? ›

What is Euler's method formula? The formula for Euler's method is y_{n+1} = y_n + h f(x_n, y_n). y_n represents the current value of a point on the solution, and y_{n+1} is the next value, for an increment in the x variable equal to the step size h.

What kind of math did Katherine have to do in the space task group Hidden Figures? ›

Al Harrison, the director of the Space Task Group, needs someone who can perform analytic geometry, and Katherine is the only one who can do it. She becomes the first black woman on that team. Katherine's new colleagues initially dismiss her, especially head engineer Paul Stafford.

What calculators were used in Hidden Figures? ›

It describes the immense pressure and precision required in Johnson's calculations, where even the slightest error could have catastrophic consequences. This historical context made the scenes in "Hidden Figures" where Johnson and her colleagues use Monroe Calculators all the more poignant and meaningful.

How is Euler's formula used in the real world? ›

Euler's formula, in engineering, is generally used for the analysis of complex numbers and waveforms. It helps in simplifying complex mathematical equations, in particular those involving trigonometric functions, and it's fundamental in the field of digital signal processing.

References

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