INTERACTIVE MATH & SCIENCE

LESSON PLANS

Selected by Jeanine Swan

9-22-02

Name of Lesson #1:   Human Decimal Activity

 

Submitted by:  Jessica Papuga                                      

 

Subject:  Mathematics/Number Sense         Grade:  4 - 6                  

 

Address:         http://www.askeric.org/cgibin/printlessons.cgi/Virtual/Lessons/Mathematics/Number_Sense/NUS0200.html

 

      

       Component               Yes   No    Explanation

      

       Higher level thinking           X            Students must problem solve  as a team           

       skills used 

      

       Active Learning /       X            Students must be actively involved in order        Hands-on                                to complete task                                               

       Support different             X            Meets the needs of kinesthetic, visual and

                 learning levels/styles                          auditory learners

 

                 Uses prior knowledge          X             Teacher asks the students what the dot 

       connections                              represents if we are talking about math

 

                 Clear expectations            X             Students are given example of expectations

 

                 Collaboration           

u             X            Students must work together

 

       Intrinsic Motivation          X              Yes,  because they are actively involved

 

       Student Centered               X            Encourages student involvement/teacher

                                               facilitator

 

       Pedagogically Sound            X            Uses many constructivist components

 

       Recommended                  X    

 

Description: This lesson is a result of work completed in the class Mathematics and Science Methods for Elementary Teachers at Elon College. Lessons were prepared for and implemented in 4th grade classrooms at Haw River Elementary School. Haw River, N.C. This particular lesson was adapted from an idea from a Math workshop: Lola J. May; Mathematics Consultant; Winnetka Public Schools; Winnetka, Illinois.  Students become human models and use pictures to demonstrate the value of decimal numbers in tenths and hundredths.

 

Name of Lesson #2:  Geometric Architecture  

 

Submitted by:  Jo

Ysie Nanfara 

 

Subject:  Mathematics (Visual Arts Connection)      Grade:  4-6                     

 

Address:  http://www.lessonplanspage.com/MathArtGeometricArchitectureDeveloping46.htm

 

      

       Component               Yes   No    Explanation

      

       Higher level thinking           X            Students construct nets of the geometric solid of             skills used                             their choice, using a variety of materials;

                                               use mathematical language to describe                                                          geometric ideas; discuss geometric                                                            concepts with peers.         

             

       Active Learning /       X            Students must be actively involved in order        Hands-on                                to complete task                                               

       Support different             X            Meets the needs of kinesthetic, visual and

                 learning levels/styles                          auditory learners

 

                 Uses prior knowledge          X              Students read through information on                     connections                            "Houses in Kenya", "Egy

Àptian Pyramids", and                                                       "Pueblo Buildings in the USA". They will then                                                 compare these forms of architecture with those                                                  found in Toronto (may be adapted for any city).

                                          

       Clear expectations            X             Students are given a rubric for assessment in                                                     advance              

      

       Collaboration                    X            Students must work together in pairs 

 

       Intrinsic Motivation          X              Students are actively involved and are given

                                               choices and have “buy in”

                                              

 

       Student Centered               X            Students create, teacher facilitates

 

       Pedagogically Sound            X            Uses many constructivist components

      

       Recommended                  X    

 

 

Description:  Students are introduced to their task, which is to choose a theme of architecture, and work with a partner to create a geometrically-based model. Students begin planning their task, completing the worksheet provided for them to help them organize their materials and thoughts. 

 

Name of Lesson #3:


 Archaeological Detectives 

 

Submitted by:  No name listed     

 

Subject:  Life Science and Science as Inquiry  Grade:  6 - 8                   

 

Address:  http://school.discovery.com/lessonplans/programs/archdetectives/

      

 

       Component               Yes   No    Explanation

      

       Higher level thinking           X            Students research some techniques that                                                           forensic archaeologists use and must apply

                                                these techniques in uncovering the identity of a                                                  victim of a crime      

                                                            

       Active Learning /       X            Students must be actively involved in order        Hands-on                                to complete task                                               

       Support different             X            Meets the needs of kinesthetic and visual

                 learning levels/styles                                         

 

 

       Uses prior knowledge                X                          

       connections                          

Ÿ                                          

      

 

       Clear expectations            X            Yes, a rubric is provided                                                                                     

      

       Collaboration                    X            Students must work together  in groups of four 

 

       Intrinsic Motivation          X              Yes,  because they are actively involved in the                                                       role of “detectives”

 

       Student Centered               X            Encourages student active involvement,

                                               the “buy in” is working  like a “real”

                                               archaeological forensic scientist 

                                              

 

       Pedagogically Sound            X            Uses many constructivist components

      

       Recommended                  X    

 

 

Description:  Students are given a “real life case” of identifying a skeleton that was found at a construction site.  They must divide into four groups and research four different aspects of forensic archaeology (many internet sites are given).  The students must then apply that knowledge to solve the case.    

 

 

Name of Lesson #4:  A Local Ecosystem   

 

Submitted by:  Jennifer Dalke   

 

Subject:  Science, Language Arts, Math   [1]‰        Grade:  4-6                     

Address:  http://www.lessonplanspage.com/printables/PScienceLAMathLivingWNonlivingInEcosystem46.htm

 

      

       Component               Yes   No    Explanation

      

       Higher level thinking           X            Students use the following process skills;                                                      classifying, inferring, communicating,                                                           predicting, measuring        

      

       Active Learning /       X            Students must be actively involved in order        Hands-on                                to complete task                                               

       Support different             X            Meets the needs of kinesthetic and visual

                 learning levels/styles                          learners

 

                 Uses prior knowledge                X      Background knowledge could be in an

       connections                           anticipatory set with tie in to student prior

                                               knowledge                      

t

                                          

       Clear expectations                   X     Simple to add rubric and take time to  clearly

                                               explain expectations                                                                                 

      

       Collaboration                    X            Students must work together in groups of four 

 

       Intrinsic Motivation          X              Students are actively involved, they are                                                       outside the classroom and they choose their

                                               own plot of land to observe

 

       Student Centered               X            Encourages student involvement and student

                                               choice of where they wish to observe.  Also,

                                               students are engaged and the teacher acts as

                                               a facilitator

 

       Pedagogically Sound            X            Uses many constructivist components

      

       Recommended                  X    

 

 

Description:  Students use science process skills to examine a plot of ground, make a chart to illustrate findings, and write a paragraph that describes what they observed.                                       

                

 

Name of Le

ƒsson #5:  Space Presents a Problem    

 

Submitted by:  Melissa Cole   

 

Subject:  Technology / Earth & Space Science         Grade: 5-7                      

Address:  http://www.askeric.org/Virtual/Lessons/Computer_Science/EDT0016.html

 

      

       Component               Yes   No    Explanation

      

       Higher level thinking           X            Students conduct and evaluate research to          skills used                             communicate information and ides effectively.

                                               Students are given three problems they must                                                    solve using a variety of processes and

                                               process skills.                 

             

       Active Learning /       X            Students must actively search the internet to        Hands-on                              gather information.  Students must complete a

                                               database on planet characteristics.  Students                                                   must calculate their weight using spreadsheet.                                                                                

       Support different             X            Meets the needs of kinesthetic and visual learners     

                 learning levels/styles                          

 

                 Uses prior knowledge                X  

˚       However, anticipatory set could tie in students’           connections                     prior knowledge to help them make                                                              connections.      

                                          

       Clear expectations            X             Students are given a  rubric for assessment in                                                     advance.  Students could create rubric as well.                

       Collaboration                    X            Students must work together in pairs 

 

       Intrinsic Motivation          X              Students are constantly actively involved

 

       Student Centered               X            Completely student centered.  Students must                                                    problem solve and use a large variety of                                                 processes.  Teacher serves as facilitator.

                                              

       Pedagogically Sound            X            Uses many constructivist components

      

       Recommended                  X    

 

 

Description:  This lesson involves students in the process of problem solving. The students are focusing on the theme of "space" but they are also gathering data, analyzing information, and communicating ideas through the use of technology. Students collaborate with their peers throughout the entire process.