Artifact # 9
Math Strands Assignment exhibits lesson plans that provide foundations for beginning concepts and build on foundations begun in previous grade levels. The lesson plans aid students in developing math concepts that will be used in later mathematics. The lesson plans focus on the three math strands: spatial sense, measurement, and geometry, data, probability, and statistics, and patterns, relationships, and functions.
Context
I completed the Math Strands Assignment using Microsoft Works.
It was given during my Block experience at ASU to give me the opportunity
to explore the three strands of mathematics that were not discussed in
class. The assignment had three parts. In the first part we
were to work with a partner to learn about the mathematical content in
spatial sense, measurement, and geometry, talk to professionals about what
children find difficult about this strand, and to develop two lesson plans
one for K-2 and the other for 3-5 that correlate with the strand.
We were to access the NCTM Principles and Standards for School Mathematics,
read it, and discuss it. The second part required that we develop
a series of lessons appropriate for a particular grade level that met the
goals of the data, probability, and statistics strand. In the third
and final part we were to create one lesson plan on our own that met the
needs of patterns, relationships, and functions and teach the lesson to
the group I was a member of. We wrote reflections about our teaching
experience.
Impact
The Math Strands Assignment allowed me to practice planning for short-term
and long-term lessons to fit the needs of diverse learners. I familiarized
myself with the three math strands and developed connections between math
and other subjects such as Science and Language Arts. I practiced
creating EOG assessment questions that give my students practice with EOG
questions and lets me know if they are understanding the material being
taught. Teachers can utilize this assignment for lessons that focus
on particular strands of math. The lessons can be modified for different
age levels of learners.
Alignment
Microsoft Works allowed us to present and record our lesson plans in
a way that was readable by all teachers. It provided a way to gather,
organize, and present information on three of the math strands in a clear
and concise manner. Different teaching strategies were attempted
and described in the lesson plans so that they can be utilized by math
teachers (Tech Competency 11.4).
I accessed the NCTM Principles and Standards for School Mathematics on
the World Wide Web to learn about the different strands of math.
I talked with professionals about the areas that pose problems for the
students at various grade levels with each strand. Based on what
I know about the various levels of development at the different grade levels,
there are patterns and sequences in the characteristics that unite them.
I also created lesson plans that used various teaching strategies to reach
the diverse learners in the classroom. Many of the lessons provide
for small group work, as well as individual work. They focus on the
individual making sense of the problem and solving it in a way that they
understand it rather than using the traditional algorithm. The lessons
provide learning opportunities for students to promote their intellectual,
social, and personal development (INTASC
#2). In developing the lesson plans, I had to first realize and
understand the skills and concepts I wanted my students to receive from
my teaching. The teaching of the last lesson helped prepare me for
future teaching. I had to be ready to respond to unanticipated classroom
events and adapt those plans to ensure that my colleagues were understanding
the lesson I was presenting. I can use this as a model when I begin
teaching students and things to not go as planned. The curriculum
goals for math are divided into the four math strands. By studying
the strands this semester I am prepared to utilize every math curriculum
goal. The lessons I developed meet numerous curriculum goals within
the three strands studied (see more about INTASC #7 in Literature
Circles Unit) (INTASC #7).
Throughout the lessons that I developed I used various strategies to assess
students’ knowledge. Class discussions, group discussions, questioning
throughout the lesson, playing games that focus on the important concept,
drawing, summarizing in math journals, multiple-choice questions, and true-false
questions with explanations are all ways of formal assessment used in the
lesson plans. Throughout the lessons I will be walking around, looking
and observing work, as well as, observing work habits and talk between
the students. This is a type of informal assessment that is ongoing
and constantly occurring. It is important for the teacher to move
around the classroom, to be more accessible to the students, and to observe
what's going on. Observations and interviews with professionals provided
more ideas for assessing students as well (INTASC
#8).