Phase 2: Reflection of Lesson 2

Reflection On Lesson Implementation 

1. Instructional Decisions

- Overall, I think my entire lesson went well. I think all of my math centers were the best part of my lesson. The centers kept the students engaged but didn't allow them to get bored because we were on a rotation. One thing that could have gone better was the actual teaching portion. I found myself getting confused while I was trying to teach. For example, I meant to explain perimeter but found myself explaining area instead. I knew what I wanted to say but I was getting turned around. 

- I think my lesson was very well aligned with the standards. I met everything listed in the standards and assessed them. I feel the only standard I could have covered better was the understanding of a square unit. I think that's a type of standard that should be covered over a longer period of time since it's so complex. 

-I cannot think of any modifications made during my lesson. I think how I decided to explain it changed. I intentionally wanted to teach the short cuts but realized the students would first need the foundation of how to find area and perimeter without "cheating".

2. Mechanics 

- I used many technologies for my lesson. First I used the SmartBoard to teach the concepts of area and perimeter. I then had students use 3 different websites to play games on that allowed them to practice using perimeter and area. Finally, I had the students use Kidspiration for assessment. 

- The SmartBoard was used by myself to teach the lesson. I also had the students come up and use so they could get more practice with the material. The students used computers for the rest of the technologies. First they used 3 different websites. These websites had games that gave them even more practice with the material. They students also rotated through all of the websites. Finally, the students used Kidspiration for assessment. They had to make their own examples of area and perimeter on a graph. 

-My lesson was in the correct timeframe because I planned correctly. I knew I had an hour so I planned on spending the first 30 minutes teaching. The second 30 minutes were for the games and assessment. If I found that I was running out of time I just rotated the centers faster. However, I was on time and everything ran smoothly. 

3. Assessment of Learning

- My students level of success was varied. The following is examples of the two extremes. The first student seemed confused on the difference of area and perimeter. The second student seems to have understood the material very well. I can see that the second student met all of my standards. However, the first one didn't put units with her answers or correctly do perimeter on of of her shapes. 

-I think I was average in teaching this lesson. There is always room for improvement. I think if I had to do this lesson again I would spend more time teaching the material before I let them practice on their own. I think my reflection does reflect how well I did because I did average and the assessments show that. Overall I don't think I was bad at all; I still go the material out. My peer feedback was also good. I did get some suggestions about not getting confused while I thought but other than that it was all positive. It was nothing unexpected. 

Lesson Two: Materials

MATERIALS

1. SmartBoard

2. Copy of "Spaghetti and Meatballs for All"

3. Computers. 

4. Kidspiration

5. http://www.brainpop.com/games/dublox/

6.http://www.ixl.com/math/grade-3/perimeter

7. http://www.mathplayground.com/PartyDesigner/PartyDesigner.html

Lesson Two: Assessment

ASSESSMENT

Procedure: 

For my assessment students will be given the sum of a perimeter and area. They will need to create two possible layouts for the given numbers. The shapes can be completely made up as long as they fit within the given numbers. This assessment will be completed on Kidspiration; the students final product is what I will be assessing. This assessment meets my standards because they are solving perimeter and area problems on their own. I will know if they understand it because they are forced to use higher order thinking by creating their own layouts. 

Instruments: 

I will use Kidspiration to give my assessment. I will review the students final product to see if it has been completed correctly. The final product will be submitted to me via BlackBoard. 

REFLECTION

Planning Assessment: 

The assessment aligns because everything stated in the standards is within the assessment. At some point they will have to use perimeter and area by figuring out the best possible layouts. Having them create two possibilities lets me know if they understand that their are multiple ways to get the right answer. I will know if students are successful because they will be making their own layouts. If they don't understand a certain element the assessment will show it. The assessment keeps the students engaged and thinking critically because they have to create a shape that matches the given numbers, they also have to create two versions; so a simple rectangle won't cut it for both layouts. I will know if individual needs were met because each student is creating their own layout. Every student will have different numbers so I will know which students got it and which students didn't. 

Lesson Two: Implementation

IMPLEMENTATION

Procedures: 
1. I will introduce the topic to the students and explain what we will be doing that day. 
2. I will read the students "Spaghetti and Meatballs for All" 
3. On a SmartBoard I will call of students to recreate table arrangements from the story. We will discuss why they work or do not work. 
4. I will introduce them to the language of square unit, area, and perimeter. 
5. I will put more examples on the board of area and perimeter that are not from the book. 
6. I will call on students to come up and figure out what the perimeter and area are of the different shapes. (They will not all be rectangles and squares) 
7. I will then show the students how to access and use different math centers that I have set up for them. 
8. The students will rotate through 3 different centers. They will spend 10 minutes at each center. 
9. I will have student pull a piece of paper from a jar. On the paper will be a number that represents the area and perimeter. 
10. Students will create two different shapes that each add up to the given numbers. This will be used as my assessment. This will be created on Kidspiration. 
Technology Integration: 
Technology will be used throughout this entire lesson. After reading the story all of the review will be done on a SmartBoard. Students will have the chance by coming up and drawing on it and completing different math problems involving area and perimeter. I will also use the SmartBoard to show the students how to access their math centers. The students will then use their computers to access the games. The three games being used are: http://www.brainpop.com/games/dublox/ , http://www.ixl.com/math/grade-3/perimeter, and http://www.mathplayground.com/PartyDesigner/PartyDesigner.html. My assessment for this lesson will also be completed on Kidspirtation. 
Differentiated Instruction: 
For students with cognitive delays I will make sure to use a lot of scaffolding for them and visuals. I will also pull these students aside and give them the extra attention the may need before grasping the concept. I will also give these students manipulatives to use so they are able to work with the manipulatives to find area and perimeter easier. For gifted students will give them problems where they need to find a missing side of a shape to find the perimeter. I could also give these students a chance to find the area with only the perimeter and no squares to count, or vice versa. For ELL students I will also use scaffolding for them to visualize what is going on. I will also sit them next to a student they are comfortable with the talk through any problems they might be having. 

REFLECTION

Designing Instruction: 

I'm using these instructional needs because I believe that students need to be working hands on. They need to actually practice finding perimeter and area. I also think having the games makes learning and reviewing fun for the students. There are 3 different ways to look at perimeter and area if one way doesn't make sense. I also think this lesson as a lot of variety and movement keeping them engaged. I think this is best because it's engaging and geared towards their age group. If learning is fun and hands on students are more likely to learn more and take more in. It also gives them the chance to work through problems on their own that they might face in the real world. Student are using higher order thinking because the games force them to create areas and perimeters on their own. They are given a problem and forced to solve it. I don't use technology for my entire lesson. It acts as a supplement to give the students more practice with the material. If they are struggling then I will go back to a more hands on approach. 

Lesson Plan 2: Overview

OVERVIEW

Grade Level- 3rd

Subject- Math 

Topic of Study- Area and Perimeter 

Time Allotment- 1 Hour 

COMMOM CORE STANDARDS

CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.3.MD.C.5.A
A square with side length 1 unit, called "a unit square," is said to have "one square unit" of area, and can be used to measure area.

CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.3.MD.C.6
Measure areas by counting unit squares (square cm, square m, square in, square ft, and improvised units).

CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.3.MD.D.8
Solve real world and mathematical problems involving perimeters of polygons, including finding the perimeter given the side lengths, finding an unknown side length, and exhibiting rectangles with the same perimeter and different areas or with the same area and different perimeters.

OBJECTIVES
1. Students will be able to demonstrate how to find the area of different shapes by counting square units and multiplying. 
2. Students will be able to demonstrate how to find the perimeter of rectangles and squares by adding different lengths and widths together. 

REFLECTION 

Assessing Prior Knowledge:

Prior to this lesson the students will need to be familiar with basic math skills; specifically, adding and multiplying. Prior knowledge will be assessed when I have students recreate scenes from the story. If they are not able to then I know that I need to take a few steps back and refresh the students on adding. I will assess their knowledge on multiplication when I create my own shapes for them to assess. Once again, if they struggle I will quickly review how to multiply two numbers together. I will use this information in my planning process my adjusting my pace. If I find that many students are struggling I will slow down and spend more time reviewing. This lesson would become a few days long, as we would be doing a lot more review and moving forward slowly. 

Planning Instruction: 

This content should be taught at this level because it's knowledge they will be in the future. Students need to know how to find perimeter and area to continue and succeed in future math classes. This is also appropriate for 3rd grade because the story that goes with the lesson is age appropriate. The standards and objectives align perfectly because we are learning about the different aspects of area and perimeter. The students are also getting hands on experience working with the two. This lesson will be taught towards the middle of the year. Students will be taught how to add and multiply prior to this. This is also a complex way at looking at math for them so it would be unrealistic to throw it at them at the beginning of the year.