Week 6

This week we dove deeper into integers while introducing the concept of variables, evaluating variable expressions, and solving variable equations. The way I chose to approach this was by careful scaffolding of the topics to be introduced with guided notes reinforced by examples. The guided notes were discovery based, demanding students to define the concepts, describe the steps of performing the operations, and to finally perform the operations.

The INM was kicked off with the students reading a paragraph on their Guided Notes that described the day's goal, and followed by my drawing/writing an example of the concept on the board. Students, in discovery fashion, were then made to define and describe the concept in their own words. I allowed them to work in their groups for this. Afterwards the class was re-centered to discuss the definitions/descriptions we came up with with refinement directed by Socratic style leading questions from me. After coming to a consensus, the students wrote down our refined definitions/descriptions.

As a "WE DO" students followed along in their Guided Notes examples being worked out either on the board on in powerpoint. Students then were made to perform the operation on their own, with the answers being worked out after a significant portion of the class had finished. This allowed a great opportunity for positive reinforcement, and a direct reinforcement of students' understanding the need to pay attention and take notes.

As a "YOU DO" students were given time to perform the operations on their own (usually 8-10 problems). Class review of these problems also followed.

As a general assessment students were given a problem which they had to perform on a personal white-wipe-board, holding it up to show me their work and wether they were able to perform the operation. Student were told when they got the correct and incorrect answers, and those that got the problem wrong multiple times were asked to come back during lunch to review the material again.

Homework provided additional practice.

GOOD:

I think the guided notes were a great idea, as well as the discovery based learning and structure of the class. This take a lot of pressure off from me to lead the class constantly. This also make it easy to work through Blooms Hierarchy.

BAD:

I think I'm giving too much homework and not reviewing it enough. I think I'm going to work book work into the "Do Now" as well as homework review.