Friday, March 30, 2012

Micro Lesson #1 - Designing Instruction



·         Students start with several “whole” objects of equal size to be divided into various fractions. They first divide into halves, which is likely the most familiar fraction to students, and then continue to divide different wholes into increasingly smaller fractions, labeling each as they go.  This provides a logical structure to the lesson and helps students learn in steps. 

·         Students will have the opportunities to learn visually and audibly by listening to the whole group presentation by the teacher.  They will be able to learn kinesthetically by manipulating physical objects to create fractions.  They will also be able to learn socially by working with partners to compare fractions to each other.  This comparison of fractions to find equivalents uses the higher order thinking skills of comparing and contrasting, as well as experimenting. Student have the opportunity to analyze relationships between fractions, and record their findings in their math journals. 

·         The use of technology in this lesson is primarily as a creative and engaging way to continue to practice using fractions.  It allows students to create their own fraction problem for a partner to solve.  By observing this process informally, the teacher will be able to determine the level of understanding of each student. 

·          This lesson does not address issues of safe and legal use of technology, digital etiquette or global awareness.  It does, however, use technology in a learner-centered way.  Students are able to direct part of the lesson by generating their own examples.  This lesson also makes use of a simple software program that allows students to draw on a tablet with their fingers.  It has the potential to be engaging to students of various ability levels.


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