Tiffini+Varrasse

Here is my lesson: Can anyone tell me if it needs to be paragraph form or do we use one of the templates in doc sharing and follow that?
====Problem based learning can be an effective teaching strategy where students lead their own instruction and work collaboratively to solve authentic interdisciplinary problems using higher order thinking skills (Cennamo, Ross, & Ertmer, 2009). I plan to incorporate problem-based learning with my 5th grade special education math class. The lesson targets a unit on area. This lesson targets state standard //3.2//that states students will be able to identify area in real world situations. The learning outcome for the students is to be able to apply this lesson to situations they may come across in the future that would help them work with area appropriately and confidently.==== ====The problem based learning activity will start by me addressing the fact that my classroom needs to be rearranged. The classroom needs a new and energized vibe for all those who enter because it has been the same layout for entire year. The problem I will pose to my students will be: How can this classroom be rearranged to maximize space and give the room a new improved look? The students will devise a floor plan where they create a new layout. This is relevant to the students because the classroom is an area that they spend much time and it should be a place they consider to be comfortable. Finding area and measuring items are skills that people need to do execute daily in their lives. I am hoping this problem based learning activity will help the students develop the skills they need to learn the content and also see how it relates to a real world situation. ==== ==== As part of this problem based learning activity, the students will incorporate technology to help them along the way. The students will first have to determine the area of the room and the area of the objects within the room including the tables, desks, chairs, shelves, and cabinets. The students will be responsible for measuring all these items and compiling the necessary data to help them. They will compose their data in a spreadsheet of their choice. Then they will create a layout of the room to scale. Another technology tool they will use is a drawing program of their choice. This program will enable the students to draw the objects and rearrange them to create the new and imoprved look of the classroom. ==== ==== One way I will customize this lesson plan for my diverse learning is to create step by step directions on how to use specific technlogy resources. I hope that having the directions on how to input the data or on how to draw specific objects in the drawing program will minimize the frustrations some of the students will demonstrate and allow them to focus more on area. Another way I will customize the lesson for diverse learners is by using flexible grouping. I will strategically pair the students, one low student with one high student, to maximize their learning expereince. ==== ==== I will assess the students at the end of the lesson. One way I will assess the students is by creating a rubric. This rubric will be showed to the students prior to start of the project. The students will know what is expected of them and be able to appraoch the problem based learning activity accordingly. Another way I will assess the students is by conferencing with the groups at different stages of the lesson. This will be an informal means of an assessment but will allow me to provide assistance or clarification where needed. ====

Hi Tiffini,

This is a great idea! Definitely a room rearrange is necessary throughout the year to refocus students, and what a great way to incorporate it into a math lesson! Will different groups measure different areas, and then share information? Will the students use meters or feet? Will the students get to see the rubric beforehand? Good luck with the lesson!

Regards,

Mike

Tiffini, What a fun way to rearrange desks. My students have often asked if they could have one giant circle, or if they could be in pods of three. This would be a way to use their curiosity and present it as a problem for them to solve. Of course, i would need to honor their request if they use math to prove that it would work. Adding bookshelves and cabinets, etc. would add an interesting element as they would have different area totals and vary in height. As I read your PBL, I thought back to when I was a child and I used to map out my bedroom at home before deciding where to move the furniture. As I thought about trying this next year with my students, I may consider having them measure to find the area, use a scale to convert the measurement to fit grid paper, and then draw and cut out the shapes to fit them in a room (on grid paper) also drawn to scale. (It would meet area and scale drawing standards.)Which drawing program are you considering? I would like to hear about one that would accomplish your goal, as it would be better than cutting out desk shapes out of grid paper. Again, great idea!

Sandy Otto