per class
Class

Discover the Fibonacci Sequence by Investigating Honey Bees, Rabbits, and more!

Completed by 18 learners
Ages 11-13
Live One-Time Class
In this one-time class, students will be led through a series of scenarios having to do with honey bees, rabbits, and an oak tree to discover the Fibonacci sequence just like Fibonacci discovered it himself. We also investigate the golden ration "phi", the spiral of the nautilus, and more.
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:
(20 reviews)

Live video meetings
Meets once
3-10 learners per class
50 min

What's included

1 live meeting
50 mins in-class hours

Class Experience

We will begin class by examining the family tree of a drone honey bee.  This will lead us to an interesting number pattern called the Fibonacci Sequence!  We will discuss other places in nature where this same pattern exists and draw a diagram of an oak tree and a nautilus spiral to further illustrate the sequence.  

Finally, we will work through Fibonacci's own classic rabbit scenario to see how he originally discovered the sequence himself.  The sequence will lead us into a discussion of the golden ratio, phi, and how it applies to nature, the human skeleton, and the sequence itself.

We will also learn a bit of history about Fibonacci himself (and how he wasn't the first to discover the sequence.)  We will learn about his father's encouragement of him to pursue a career in mathematics; how he learned the Hindu-Arabic numbers and pushed for them to be used in Europe; and how he discovered the sequence by creating his own math problem about rabbits!  

Students are invited to follow my lead by drawing the diagrams with me to help them better "see" the pattern.  This is an interactive class where questions and comments are welcome.  As a Waldorf-inspired teacher, I lead students to discover theorems and patterns just as the original mathematicians and scientists did, as opposed to handing them formulas that seem meaningless to their lives.  The stories behind the theorems are fascinating to the students and lend to the solidification of the learning.  Some form of art, in this case, drawing and stories, accompanies the lesson.

Other Details

Supply List
Please bring paper, pencil, a ruler, and colored pencils to class.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.

Meet the teacher

Joined November, 2020
5.0
20reviews
Profile
Teacher expertise and credentials
Hi!  My name is Sarah Barrett and I teach primarily math and science classes for students ages 8 - 15.  I like to bring math and science lessons to students in an experiential way so they are engaged, using their hands, and excited to share what they have learned. I also have experience as a storyteller, and I enjoy teaching classic tales (like Beowulf and Norse Mythology) through storytelling sometimes too.  

I have a Bachelor's Degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering from The Georgia Institute of Technology (GA Tech).  This program has been ranked #1 in the country for over two decades.
I worked as an engineer and engineering manager for Walt Disney World for five years before having children.  I have homeschooled my two children for 8 years and have done years of self study on education. Our homeschool style is Waldorf-inspired.  I learned from Disney that it is most effective to convey a message through a story and an experience.  

During our homeschooling years, I started the Waldorf Homeschool Conference, an in-person conference that offers education to parents seeking to incorporate Waldorf methods into their homeschool.  I also started four local homeschool enrichment programs serving over 200 students with hands-on, whole-child, academically rigorous classes.  I taught several classes while owning the programs, including robotics, chemistry, physics, math, and geometry and served as the storyteller.  I am currently a math and science teacher on Outschool and a math tutor for the Jamie York Math Academy, a Waldorf math program.  

The philosophy behind my teaching centers around these six tenets.  Lessons must:
1.	Be interesting, engaging, and fun.  In other words, the student must look forward to the lessons.
2.	Develop critical thinking.  
3.	Develop creative thinking and inspire feelings of wonder.
4.	Prepare the student for postsecondary education.   
5.	Develop empathy and love for all living beings, and for our earth.
6.	Include moments sprinkled throughout the curriculum that develop the student’s will in an age-appropriate manner, strengthening the ability to persevere.  Some refer to this as “grit.”

I love to learn and enjoy reading in my spare time.  My family loves all things Disney and makes regular trips to the Disney parks.  We have an RV and love to explore the country. 

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