Problem Solving Lesson Plan: The Quandary Game | BrainPOP Educators
Preparation: This lesson plan is centered around the online game Quandary. In Quandary, players make difficult decisions that have no clear right or wrong answers, but important consequences – to themselves, to others in the colony, and to the planet Braxos. In their interactions with other settlers in the futuristic colony, players must consider facts, opinions and solutions, just as in real life. You can view the Quandary standards mapping page to see a complete list of skills and concepts addressed through the game. There are four episodes (scenarios) in Quandary. Each episode takes about 10-30 minutes to complete, depending on the speed of the player. On the Quandary Teacher's Page, you can view a 5 minute video showing how Quandary is being used in the classroom. To prepare for game play, print the opinion tracker page and make a class set of photocopies. Extension Activities:
17 Audacity Tutorials for Beginners
Audacity is a free, open-source program for recording and editing audio. It's available for Windows, Mac, and Linux computers. For classroom podcasting projects or other classroom audio recording projects, it is hard to beat Audacity. One of the better sources of Audacity tutorials for beginners is Mike Russell's YouTube channel.
Problem-Based Learning Frequently Asked Questions
If you think others need to see this, share it on one of the sites below by clicking on the button. When teachers begin to implement problem-based learning, several questions consistently come up and I have a slide to discuss them during my presentations. At the 2014 California Math Council (CMC) North conference in Asilomar, Michael Fenton mentioned that these questions would be worth sharing in a blog post. So, here are my frequently asked questions… How long does it take to do a problem-based lesson? Most problem-based lessons of the type that Dan, Andrew, Graham, and I do take about one to two 50-minute periods. How often do you do problem-based learning? The Common Core State Standards (CCSS) call for educators to pursue with “equal intensity” the three aspects of the Rigor shift: procedural skill and fluency, conceptual understanding, and application. – If you do two or more problem-based lessons per week you would be spending at least 2-4 days per week on these lessons.
How Many Hot Dogs And Buns Should He Buy? - Robert Kaplinsky
How many packages of hot dogs and hot dog buns should he purchase so that there are no extra hot dogs or hot dog buns?These questions may be useful in helping students down the problem solving path:How many hot dogs come in a package?How many hot dog buns come in a package?What might happen if you buy one package of hot dogs and one package of hot dog buns?How might that make someone feel? In the movie clip there are 8 hot dogs and 12 hot dog buns in a package. Below I have provided images with examples of hot dogs and hot dog buns in various packaged quantities to use as an extension. A package containing 7 hot dogs A package containing 8 hot dogs A package containing 8 hot dog buns A package containing 12 hot dog buns A package containing 16 hot dog buns Daniel Luevanos shares a wonderful reflection of how it went when he used this lesson with his students.
Powers of Ten: The amazing scale of the universe. [VIDEO]
Building Bridges
This lesson assists teachers in building a bridge between their current instructional goals and new goals that emphasize an earlier introduction to algebraic thinking. In the activities which follow, we illustrate an approach to algebraic thinking that is based on an extension of problem-solving tasks typically investigated by elementary and middle school students. Problem Tasks Pose the following question to students. Note that the task is completed once the single solution has been determined. When a different question is posed, however, problems like the one above can be used as a bridge to further mathematical thinking. Read the following problem to your students. As you discuss this new problem with your students, ask them the following questions: How is this question similar to the original Hamburger Problem? The posing of a new question does not guarantee a change in students' thinking. Students may use algebraic symbols to respond to this new problem. Where Do You Go from Here?
Integrating Mindfulness in Your Classroom Curriculum
Now more than ever, teaching mindfulness in the classroom is a necessity. Our children are stressed and anxious. Teachers and parents are stressed and anxious, too. Our lives are busy, and we often find our thoughts buzzing over the past or worrying about the future. Educators know that children learn best when they are comfortable, safe, and relaxed. Following are four ways to incorporate mindfulness into your curriculum and bring calm to your classroom. 1. When we are stressed or anxious, we often take shallow breaths into our chests. 2. Sensory experiences also help children focus and relax. 3. Guided imagery develops children's imaginations. 4. Humans are born to move. Try picking one mindfulness practice to start for yourself. In the comments below, please share how you practice mindfulness with your students.
Numberless Word Problems | Teaching to the Beat of a Different Drummer
Have you ever said or thought any of the following? “They just add all the numbers! It doesn’t matter what the problem says.”“They don’t stop to think! They just start computing as soon as they’re done reading the problem.”“They don’t even realize this is exactly the same type of situation as the problem we did yesterday!” Then you might be interested in trying out numberless word problems with your students. In essence, numberless word problems are designed to provide scaffolding that allows students the opportunity to develop a better understanding of the underlying structure of word problems. My Blog Posts I’ve written about numberless word problems at various points on my blog. Numberless Word Problems – This is the initial post I wrote about numberless word problems. Problem Banks Below are banks of problems organized around the CGI problem types. Addition and Subtraction Problem Types Multiplication and Division Problem Types Other Blog Post Collection Like this: Like Loading...
How To Use Math Is Visual - Math Is Visual
So I keep saying “Math is visual. Let’s teach it that way!” That’s great and all. You’ve come to the right place! While you are free to use the MathIsVisual.com website and resources in any way you feel would be most useful, I’d like to take a moment to share how I visualized this tool being used by teachers with their students in a classroom setting as well as parents with their children at home. 1. Every Math Is Visual video prompt takes a visual approach to help model for teachers, parents and students an intuitive way to think about a mathematical idea. The goal is to lead the viewer down a very carefully planned inquiry pathway so the construction of conceptual understanding will take place along the way while working towards the development of procedural fluency over time. 2. Consider pausing the video as often as useful and/or necessary to ask your students or children what they notice and what they wonder. 3. How many black squares will remain? 4. Have a look at the video below:
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