Orbits and Leap Years

Completing computations is a straightforward process for intermediate-ages students and can be made more meaningful by connecting to an authentic, real life scenario.

In Wixie's Orbits and Leap Years template, students are required to reflect on Earth's orbit and the need for a Leap Year, as well as calculate age based on the orbits of different planets.

The need for a Leap Year is outlined, mathematically, on page 3 and the students are asked to reflect on what might happen if the Leap Year was not part of our calendar. The final two pages ask students to calculate the number of "years" old they would be on different planets - Venus, Mercury, and Mars. Completing long division involving two- and three-digit dividends and divisors is required.

Wixie Orbits and Leap Years Template