Index

1.   Magnificent Measurement

2.  Money

3.  Tangrams

4. Rain Forest

5.  Car Trip

Magnificent Measurement

Authors: 

Alice Holste, Randi Longmeyer, Ann O’Malley

Introduction: 

This lesson has been prepared for students in the third or fourth grade.  The lesson could be adapted for younger or older children depending on where students are in the school curriculum.  It is assumed that students have some math background.  Students will explore all aspects of measurement and some time will also be integrated in the lesson.  Multicultural is not covered in depth in this lesson but one activity has student’s explore how in the 1800’s they measured trees.  

NE Standards:

4.3 Measurement

4.3.1 By the end of fourth grade, students will estimate, measure, and solve problems using metric units for linear measure, area, mass/weight, and capacity.

4.3.2 By the end of fourth grade, students will estimate, measure, and solve problems using standard units for linear measure, area, mass/weight, and capacity.

Objectives: 

Students will demonstrate the following skills:

Materials:

Number of computers for each student or for group of students

URL: http://www.kn.pacbell.com/wired/fil/pages/huntmathho.html

Math notebooks

Pencils

Procedures:

Springboard (Anticipatory Set)

Remind students of what they have previously learned about measurement.  Ask them to think of ways that they could explore measurement outside of the classroom.  Inform students that they are going to go to the computer lab for the math hour.  This may be a good time to review correct behavior in the computer lab. 

Teacher:

1.        Upon entering the computer lab assign students to the correct seats.  Seating can be done at individual computers or in a group. 

2.      Write the following URL on the board: http://www.kn.pacbell.com/wired/fil/pages/huntmathho.html.  The teacher also may wish to have the site typed into the computers ahead of time for the students.  Bernie Dodge who is the developer of Web Quest provides this site.

3.      Read the introduction with the students. It is time for the magnificent world of measurement! Could you imagine a world with out measurement? There is no better place to find out about the magnificent world of measurement than the World Wide Web. The world of measurement is waiting with fun games and interesting facts! So get ready for a magnificent time. A look below will reveal a list of questions about the topic of this page. In order to find the answers you will have to perform a treasure hunt by looking through the following Internet sites. After you have discovered the magnificent world of measurement don't forget the major question of all-THE BIG QUESTION. Have FUN!

4.      Allow students to begin on the web quest.  It should be self-explanatory. 

5.      Walk throughout the computer lab observing students and making sure student are staying on task throughout the math period.

6.     Wait until all students have finished lesson.

Student: 

1.        Go to the computer lab and sit in the correct seating arrangement as assigned by the teacher.

2.      Go to the correct URL that the teacher has posted on the board.

3.      Listen as the introduction is read aloud by classmates and teacher.

4.      Begin work on the scavenger hunt. Student will be required to write correct answers in math notebooks.

5.      Wait until all classmates have finished the scavenger hunt.

Closure: 

Students will have finished the scavenger hunt.  Upon completing the scavenger hunt children will go to the answer page of the URL.  The class will go over the correct answers as a class.  After the teacher has collected the math notebooks the students will close down the computers and the class will return to the regular classroom.

Assessment:

Students will be assessed on how they worked through the scavenger hunt either as a group or individually.  Assessment will take place during the class discussion when the students are going over the correct answers.  The students could also be assessed on behavior that was performed while in the computer lab.

Explanation:

This particular was chosen to give the students the opportunity to gain more knowledge on the subject of measurement.  Nebraska state standards require that student learn measurement.  In order, for a teacher to meet these standards in math measurement is needed.  One way to have students review measurement and gain new knowledge on measurement is to have them learn through technology.  The scavenger hunt provides a unique opportunity for students to gain their new knowledge through a different avenue rather than in regular classroom setting. 

Money

Authors:  

Grade:  3rd & 4th

NE Standards:

4.1 Numeration/Number Sense

4.1.5 By the end of fourth grade, students will make change and count out in amounts up to $20.00.

Objectives: 

Materials:

Computer Lab

Instruction sheets

Computer Lab Rules

Procedures:

Springboard (Anticipatory Set)

Make rules for computer lab and explain what will be happening in class today

Once at the computer lab begin with fun money problem on Internet.

Teacher: 

1.     Arrange girls in computer lab

2.     Have them start the Internet connection

3.     Have them follow the directions given on the instruction sheet to the web site http://teacher.scholastic.com/max/icecream/index.htm and they have to complete the puzzler

4.     Next they will go and learn about dollar bills at http://pbs.org.wgbh/nova/moolah/anatomy.html

5.     Had out sheets so that they can answer questions while reviewing this site

6.     Explain to them that they are going to run their own lemonade stand at http://www.coolmath4kids.com.

7.     Stress the importance of them reading the directions and watching the weather

Student: 

1.     Complete puzzler at correct web site

2.     Complete questions on the dollar bill

3.     Have them run their own business from the lemonade stand

Closure: 

After completing the lemonade stand visit with each girl on their results and what they could have done differently and then hold class discussion on what could have been done differently.

Assessment: 

Look at the completion of puzzler, money review, and results of lemonade stand.

Explanation:

This particular was chosen to give the students the opportunity to gain more knowledge on the subject of money.  Nebraska state standards require that student learn about money.  In order, for a teacher to meet these standards in math money is needed.  One way to have students review measurement and gain new knowledge on money is to have them learn through technology.  The Internet provides a unique opportunity for students to gain their new knowledge through a different avenue rather than in regular classroom setting. 

Tangrams

Authors: 

Grade: 

NE Standards:

4.4 Geometry/Spatial Concepts
4.4.1 By the end of fourth grade, students will identify, describe, and create two- and three-dimensional geometric shapes.

Objectives: 

 Materials:

Tangram sets for all students

Computers for all students

Lab sheets

Story Grandfather Tang

Procedures:

Springboard (Anticipatory Set): 

Ask students if they know what Tangrams are.  Explain the history of Tangrams to the students. 

Teacher:

1.  Pass out the Tangram packets and explain how they need to handle them properly

2.  Explain how during the reading of the story they are going to create the animals found in the story.

3.  Begin reading the story

4.  Allow time for students to form the patterns.

5.  After the story is completed ask students to give comments about the story. 

7.  Pick up classroom and hand out computer lab sheets.  READ them aloud in the classroom so students are prepared.  Review computer lab rules.

8.  Once in computer lab students are to follow instructional sheets. 

9.  The first site that they will visit is http://mathforum.com/alejandre/frisbie/student.jam.html

10.  The second site will help them create more tangrams http://www.mathsyear2000.org/games/Tangram/index.html

Student:

1.  Create Tangrams according to the story that they are listening too 

2.  Will read a loud the computer lab worksheets and will review the computer lab rules

3.  Once in the computer lab will be allowed to go at own pace through the lab sheet

Closure:

Students will hand in lab sheets and line up at door.

Assessment:

Students will be given classroom time to explore tangrams and will be assessed by how they can use the shapes to create animals.  How they participate during the reading of the story and during computer lab time will be evaluated.

Explanation:

This particular was chosen to give the students the opportunity to gain more knowledge on the subject of geometry.  Nebraska state standards require that student learn geometry.  In order, for a teacher to meet these standards in math geometry is needed.  One way to have students explore different forms of geometry is through tangrams and using technology.  The Internet provides a unique opportunity for students to gain their new knowledge through a different avenue rather than in regular classroom setting. 

Road Trip Across Nebraska

Authors: 

Randi Longmeyer, Ann O’Malley, and Alice Holste

Introduction: 

Students imagine that they will road trip across Nebraska with 2 friends. They will start at your school and map out the route that will give students best gas mileage to visit the 6 towns of their choice and to find out the most interesting information about Nebraska. Students will “spend a night” in each of the chosen towns. The Great Plains have never been this fun!

Content Areas and Grade Level

Standards: 

Integrated disciplines: social studies, math, science, and technology

Objectives

Materials/Technologies:

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