Lesson Plans Selected by Theresa Catellier

Name of Lesson Plan: Place Value

valuhttp://ericir.syr.edu/Virtual/Lessons/Mathematics/Process_skills/MPS0011.html

Subject: Math Grade level 2-6

 

Component

Yes No

Explanation

Interesting/motivational

x

Game format

User is in control

x

Group controls difficulty and pace

Active Participation

x

Individuals act on their decisions

Manipulatives/Technology

x

Dice, spreadsheet

Collaboration

x

Game is both cooperative and competitive

Problem Solving

x

Student strategizes to improve score.

Creative Thinking

x

Looks at Place value in new way

Mistakes Lead to Learning Op.

x

You can play again and again

Clear Objective

x

Reinforces understanding of Place value

Summary: I would use this lesson to help students better understand how different places relate to the value of the number. Although there are winners and losers, the game can be played over and over.

Reviewer: Theresa Catellier

 

 

Name of Lesson Plan: Making a Pinhole Camera

http://youth.net/cec/cecsci/cecsci.01.txt

Subject: Science Grade level 4-6

 

Component

Yes No

Explanation

Interesting/motivational

x

Produce a toy

User is in control

x

Groups follow directions, then experiment

Active Participation

x

Everyone has a job

Manipulatives/Technology

x

Build a toy, look at objects

Collaboration

x

Cooperative group

Problem Solving

x

Why doe the camera work like this.

Creative Thinking

x

Experiments limited only by imagination.

Mistakes Lead to Learning Op.

x

You can’t make mistakes just choices.

Clear Objective

x

Examines the nature of light.

Summary: Any child who worked through the lesson would know more about know more about the nature and behavior of light.

Reviewer: Theresa Catellier

Name of Lesson: We Love Cockroaches

http://encarta.msn.com/alexandria/templates/lessonFull.asp?page=337&lvstart=K&lvend=12&majorsubject=Science&minorsubject=&source=%2D99&keyword=&search=1

Subject: Life Science Grade levels 1-4

Component

Yes No

Explanation

Interesting/motivational

x

Cockroaches are gruesome

User is in control

x

Time is of essence

Active Participation

x

All action resides with the learner

Manipulatives/Technology

x

Internet research — designated sites

Collaboration

x

Cooperative groups

Problem Solving

x

Searching for info.

Creative Thinking

x

Synthesize info from several sources

Mistakes Lead to Learning Op.

x

Group and class support

Clear Objectives

x

Several objectives — requirements of living things

Summary: This is a great intro to the study of life. The things you learn about the cockroach are extended to life in general. It is very constructionist in approach. In general, I thought the Encarta lesson plans were good. Check out others at Encarta Lessons at http://encarta.msn.com/schoolhouse/default.asp

Reviewer: Theresa Catellier

 

Name of Lesson: Fun with Estimation

http://youth.net/cec/cecmath/cecmath.24.txt

Subject: Math Grade Level: 3-5

 

Component

Yes No

Explanation

Interesting/motivational

x

Uses real grocery containers

User is in control

x

Students decide what to buy

Active Participation

x

Lots of activity and decision making

Manipulatives/Technology

x

Real containers, spreadsheet optional

Collaboration

x

Cooperative groups

Problem Solving

x

Basic estimation problems

Creative Thinking

x

How to choose in order to be in budget

Mistakes Lead to Learning Op.

x

Support from group

Clear Objectives

x

Value of estimating skills

Summary: Active learning to understand the value of estimation skills. Be alert to those who thwart the objective by getting exact answers. Estimating is often not within the comfort zone of "good" students.

Reviewer: Theresa Catellier

 

Name of Lesson: Percents

http://www.iit.edu/~smile/ma9510.html

Subject: Math Grade Levels 4-6

Interesting/motivational

x

Enthusiasm provided by teacher

User is in control

x

Pacing is up to the group

Active Participation

x

Learners do all the work

Manipulatives/Technology

x

Pennies, beads, balance

Collaboration

x

Best done in a group

Problem Solving

x

Only within the objective

Creative Thinking

x

Synthesize results

Mistakes Lead to Learning Op.

x

Lots of opportunity to experiment

Clear Objectives

x

Relationships of dec., %, frac.

Summary: This plan contains several different activities to construct the understanding of percent, how to represent percents visually and with numerals, and to convert them to other numerals.

Reviewer: Theresa Catellier