Miss Callahan's Math Mania

This video made me want to be a better teacher!  This video shows how adding creativity can help students learn and become better students. In the video, the students are creating music to go along with math and the students are engaged, enthusiastic, and motivated in their math class.  (P.S- I want the dress code at this school!)

There are many different ways to learn and I know that not everyone learns the same.  Growing up, I learned best when the classroom was hands-on.  Knowing that my classroom is made up of all different kinds of learners, I think it is important to incorporate as many different styles as I can.  I am always looking for videos, video clips, and music to go along with my lessons.  Students are more likely to remember the lesson if there is something that catches their eyes or ears.  Also, I think it is great to incorporate videos or audio so that it isn’t just me they are hearing day after day.  

I like to connect with my students in my classrooms.  I look for connections all the time to be able to build relationships with my students.  One of my passions is music and listening to music.  I love all kinds of music and I share my love of music with my students.  I will ask them if they heard the new pop song or the new country song that I love.  When my students are working I will put on Pandora and let my students listen to music while they work.  I will put on different channels so students are given opportunities to listen to different types of music. 

Krista Callahan-7th Grade Teacher

I am reluctantly writing this lesson for a 7th grade classroom instead of 6th grade.  I was recently told by my administration that they are creating a new 7th grade team and I would be one of the 6th grade teachers moving up. Our 7th and 8th grade are not performing well on the PSSAs so they formed a new team to create some change.  I am slowly getting used the idea and I am looking at the positives to the change!

I have never taught 7th grade math but having taught 6th grade gives me a great wealth of knowledge.  I know 6th graders do not touch on probability so my students will have to be introduced to the topic.  This lesson was created as the introduction to probability.  This lesson will be done with stations and students will be placed in groups to move around in.  There will be 3 stations- independent (technology), teacher led, and activity.  I will be utilizing the BrainPop video, activities, and quiz for my intro. to probability lesson.  I did check out the probability game on BrainPop but I did not like it for this lesson.  The BrainPop quiz will not be graded but used as an assessment for what needs to be re-taught.  

Here is the complete introduction to probability lesson for 7th grade-

Lesson Objectives:

-       Define probability

-      Identify how to write probability

-      Determine the probability of simple events

Standards:

Standard - CC.2.4.7.B.3 --Investigate chance processes and develop, use, and evaluate probability models.

ISTE/NETS Standard- 4. Critical thinking, problem solving, and decision making

Student Characteristics:

Two of my math classes are higher to middle level achieving students.  The other two classes are middle to lower level achieving students.  One of the lower level classes includes IEP students that are low in math areas such as mental math and math facts.  

Prior Knowledge:

As 6th graders, students were not taught any probability in math class.  My students are only coming in with their own knowledge about probability.

Materials:

Student iPads, Manipulatives such as dice, cards, marbles, timer

Lesson Procedures:

Activating Strategy- Bell Ringer- Students will find their group by looking at the Promethean Board and sit in their group.  Each group will have two dice and each group will be asked what the probability would be to get snake eyes (2 ones).  Each group will explain their answer to the class.  

Lesson Activities-

-        I will discuss each groups answer and discuss probability with my students.

-     Then I will discuss and explain each station that the students will be working in.  

         Station 1- Independent (technology)- Students will watch the BrainPop video on basic probability.  Then students will work on DD.1 Probability of Simple Events on IXL

       Station 2- Teacher- Students will work with me on basic probability.  As a group we will work on the probability chart activity from BrainPop.

       Station 3- Activity- Students will complete the basic probability activity from BrainPop.  Students will be given manipulatives such as a deck of cards, coins, and marbles to help them complete the activity.  Students will be able to check their answers with an answer key that is provided.  

-     Students will be given 15 minutes at each station and will move when I ring the bell.

Summarizing Activity-

- After each group has arrived back at their starting positions students will get on BrainPop to complete the basic probability quiz.  Students will take the quiz but it will not be graded.  The quiz will be used to see what I need to reteach.  Each student will print out their quiz and for homework they will correct their mistakes.  I will walk around the room to look for what skills need to be retaught.

Lesson Assignments/Assessments-

     IXL DD.1

     Probability chart

     Probability activity

     BrainPop quiz

Adaptations-

I was encouraged after I read this article about bullying in schools.  Awareness is big in any issue out there.  School districts, teachers, parents, and students are aware of bullying and are making changes. 

Several years ago, my school district implemented school wide positive behavior plans.  I believe implementing this program has helped with bullying as well as many other issues.  We have been able to create a community in our schools.  My district has also taken other measures such having a zero tolerance policy, having a hotline for students, and having outlets/programs for students. 

In my own classroom, I make it known from day 1 that I will not tolerate disrespect towards other students, adults, or anyone.  Middle school can be fueled by drama and I do not let drama overrun my classroom. My students know that I take this stance.  I take the time to get to know my students and to create a community in my classroom. 

Lesson Plan: Combining Like Terms

Krista Callahan-6th Grade Teacher

Lesson Objectives: 

Define terms and coefficients

Combine like terms

Explain why terms can be combined and why terms can’t be combined

Standards:

Standard - CC.2.2.6.B.1 Apply and extend previous understandings of arithmetic to algebraic expressions.

ISTE/NETS Standard- 4. Critical thinking, problem solving, and decision making

Student Characteristics:

Two of my math classes are higher to middle level achieving students.  The other two classes are middle to lower level achieving students.  One of the lower level classes includes IEP students that are low in math areas such as mental math and math facts.  

Prior Knowledge:

In previous lessons, students were taught how to add and subtract integers.  Students will have an understanding about algebraic expressions and equations. Students will have an understanding about terms and coefficients from previous lessons.

Materials: 

Student iPads, Combining Like Terms Intro.Worksheet, colored pencils, combining like terms activity, scissors, glue, combining like terms-CrossMath Puzzle homework

Lesson Procedures:

Activating Strategy- Bell Ringer- students will come in and work in IXL assignment Y.6 Identify terms and coefficients to review concepts. 

Lesson Activities-

Introduce combining like terms with students-Combining Like Terms introduction worksheet.  Go over expression vocabulary on the top of the page.  Go over the rules for combining like terms and complete coloring activity with students.

Pass out combining like terms activity sheet to students.  Write the three rules for combining like terms at the top- same variable, same exponent, and order doesn’t matter.

Complete the first problem together.  Students will cut apart the expression and make groups to combine like terms.  As the students are making their groups remind students of the combining like terms rules.  Students will circle each group to show what they combined.  Then they will write the new expressions from what they combined.

Students will finish the activity independent.  I will be around to help students and to check their activity.

Once students have completed their activity they will complete their Socrative quiz.  This quiz is an informal assessment used to see what students know. 

Socrative Quiz---https://b.socrative.com/teacher/#edit-quiz/29162287

Summarizing Activity-

Students will get their combining like terms homework assignment—CrossMath Puzzle.  Students will find groups of three terms that can be combined like a crossword puzzle. 

Lesson Assignments/Assessments-

IXL Y.6

Combining like terms activity

Socrative Quiz-Combining like terms

Combining like terms-CrossMath Puzzle

Adaptations-

**Note-  I have had students ask Siri math questions and students have asked me if they could ask Siri math questions.  I love Siri's answer to this question!

I see the pros and cons to utilizing digital devices in the classroom.  We are working digital natives and they do not know a world without technology.  Technology is not going anywhere anytime soon so it is natural for technology to be incorporated into the classroom. 

I have seen first hand how technology engages, enhances, creates active learners, increases participations, and provides instant feedback.  I feel that I have just touched the tip of the iceberg with technology in my classroom.  This coming year, my school district will be incorporating a LMS called eBackpack.  Having an LMS will definitely increase technology in my classroom. 

I have seen some negatives with technology in the classroom.  We do not allow cell phones or students to bring their own devices into the classroom.  Students have used their school iPads improperly and inappropriately.  We actually had a student hack into our principals account and sent out messages as if they were the principal.  We had numerous students get on inappropriate sites and actually had one project inappropriate stuff onto the Promethean Board.  We could have all the appropriate steps in place and I believe students would still be 2 steps ahead of us with technology.  This does increase added stress to teachers because we do not want inappropriate activity happening in our classrooms. 

Lesson Plan: Calculating Area

Krista Callahan-6th Grade Teacher

Lesson Objectives: 

Define what area is

Calculate area for different shapes (rectangles, squares, triangles, trapezoids)

Explain the units used in the answer for area

Describe how area is used in the real world

Standards:

Standard - CC.2.3.6.A.1 --Apply appropriate tools to solve real-world and mathematical problems involving area, surface area, and volume.

ISTE/NETS Standard- 4. Critical thinking, problem solving, and decision making

Student Characteristics:

Two of my math classes are higher to middle level achieving students.  The other two classes are middle to lower level achieving students.  One of the lower level classes includes IEP students that are low in math areas such as mental math and math facts.

Prior Knowledge:

Students will have an understanding about perimeter and most students will have mastered perimeter.  Students will also know their shapes such as rectangle, triangle, trapezoid, and rhombus.

Materials: 

Student iPads, Headphones, Calculators, PSSA Formula Sheets, Calculating Area Homework

Lesson Procedures:

Activating Strategy- Bell Ringer- Students will calculate the perimeter problems on Khan Academy. 

Lesson Activities-

·        Review perimeter with students.

·        Present area to student using the perimeter problems from their bell ringer problems.

·       Allow to students to complete Ted-Ed Lesson on their iPads. 

·       Students will complete multiple choice and open questions on the Ted-Ed Lesson. 

·      Teacher will walk around the classroom to check student progress.  Teacher will check assessment questions to check for student understanding as students turn in the assessment.

Summarizing Activity-

·         Review calculating area and formulas with students. 

·         Have students share their real world situations they came up with for the discuss part of the lesson to show students how math is used in the real world.

·         Assign students calculating area homework assignment and IXL assignments. 

Lesson Assignments/Assessments-

·         Teacher observation of TED Ed Multiple Choice and Open Questions

·         Area IXL Assignments

·         Calculating Area Homework Assignment

Adaptations-

Lower Achieving Students and IEP Students- These students have a hard time remembering formulas and their multiplication facts.  Students can use their formula sheet and calculators to calculate area.  Teacher proximity to keep students on task.