Math Blog # 6 Ratio & Proportions

This week I presented my math lesson on Ratio, and Proportions.  This was a huge learning experience for me. Its interesting how you can review a lesson so many times, yet when you present it to your class it doesn't go as planned.

The idea was that I would explain the scenario to the class and demonstrate how to measure each sample. Then I would have each group sample the next two with a partner. I feel like I should  have been more clear, and gone through the instructions thoroughly. This might have made the expectation more clear.

This is a great activity to explore as students grasp the concept of percent, ratio, and proportion, as percent is one form of ratio. 

My intent was to develop a lesson that would: 

• Investigate that proportionality is a multiplicative process and not an additive process.
  
• Consolidate concept understanding and procedural fluency for ratio, proportion, and percents.
  
• Solve problems involving percents, fractions, and decimals in a variety of contexts. 
  
  
  A themed activity is always a fun, and interactive way to introduce a topic. However, I realized during my presentation that this is an activity that required an entire period to demonstrate properly. 

If I were to do another micro lesson I would approach it differently. I would ask one question to draw a select number of curricular expectations. Insuring I really got the point across. 

Lesson Example: 

A concrete example would allow for the students to explore how they would individually approach the question. After they explained how they would approach it I would show them two different ways to solve the equation. They could also work in groups to present their strategies. I loved the idea of math meetings outlined on week 6. 

        MATH MEETINGS:

       - Share in groups 
       - Get clarity
       - Learn new strategies 

         

Integers Blog # 5

I want to begin this blog by point out that CLIPS is an amazing tool for math beginners! Clips takes you step by step through each lesson, expectations, with video/ animated instruction based tutorials. You can test your prior or learn't knowledge at each stage. I chose to explore Integers at the grade 7-8 level. I think this would be a great homework tool for students to test their knowledge on certain math topics they struggle with as it allows for student to see where they might have answered incorrectly. See the clips below for further explanation of my experience: In class we discussed Geometric Shapes for the purpose of understanding the root of fractions and how they play in the bigger picture of many complex math strands. Essentially, that understanding what fractions are telling us is important! How many parts to one whole? Which fraction is bigger using basic equivalent fractions? Why does 2 / 1/3 = 2X3? How many groups of 1/33 are in 2 wholes? The Fraction with the bigger denominator is made of smaller pieces! See pictures below from in class samples: The Tan Gram, and story of the elder who broke his valuables and tried to put all the pieces back together made the lesson interesting, and inviting for students. I enjoyed the tactical act of trying to put all the pieces into one whole square. Then breaking each piece down to estimate what fractions they broken down into. It provided a strong visual for comparison, and made it easier for me to break down each piece. The theatrics were engaging as well!

Blog # 4 Number Sense and Numerations Fractions

In class we explored fractions with the introduction of a book about Hershey's Chocolate & Egg Cartons! Beginning class this way was inviting, and interactive for all ages. We were instructed to pick a fraction that we found interesting, and convert it into any similar variant. I enjoyed this approach because it allowed the class to assimilate with what we were comfortable with, and can remember.

It was important to note that questions were presented with goals in mind:

Evolve and evoke thinking

Fearless speaking and listening

Open questions, student choice

Parallel problems, provide access to broad range of student readiness, reflection, and discussion

Provide appropriate scaffolding

Depth is more important then speed

 I enjoyed this visual that was given to us aimed at learners with disabilities! The original is much nicer than my drawing. However, it presented the concept that there are always more ways than one to approach a problem! We were given a T of blocks, and asked how we could represent 3/5 with 3 equal pieces! I thought that was very interesting because no matter how you come to the answer there was more than one way to represent the question to understand it.

This stood out to me more than anything else because when I was younger I would be the child crying because I didn't understand new math expectations, or assignments. The old fashion algorithms didn't make sense to me, and often I found myself frustrated and discouraged.