Lesson Plans
Lesson Plan 1
Objective: Students will be introduced to Word Problem(s) of the Week and Vocabulary
Materials: Word Problem(s) of the Week handout, Vocabulary list
Activity: To begin the routine of Word Problem(s) of the Week, students must understand the concept behind the project. The Math teacher should introduce the method and explain that it is a collaborative effort among the Math, Reading and English teachers. The Math teacher will give each student a Word Problem(s) of the Week handout and explain the process. After all explanation and questions have been answered, the teacher will begin with the vocabulary lesson. As stated previously, all words should not be introduced at the same time. A general list of common words should be used and explained. As the lessons continue, more words can be added to the list as they arise. The initial vocabulary lesson is simply an overview and also meant to help the student become aware of the math words and how they are used. It is very possible that when you start this unit you have already done math vocabulary, in which case a brand new lesson is not necessary.
The remaining lesson plans focus specifically on types of math picture books. The categories of geometry, exponential growth, and money are highlighted. Additional or alternative picture books and topics may be inserted to fit the needs of your students.
Lesson Plan 2
Objective: Students will be introduced to geometry math picture books
Materials: Geometry Math Picture Book (refer to references), Word Problem(s) of the Week handout
Activity: This lesson will repeat itself for each new picture book introduced. A brief discussion of geometry should be done by the Math teacher. Using the geometry picture book can either be a supplemental introduction, or a review. The picture book should be read by the Reading teacher. She may choose any read-aloud method desired, such as reading all the way through, stopping for questions, or stopping for explanation. She should inform the students that the next few Problem(s) of the week will come from this book. After the book is read, the first problem will be reviewed on the handout. This activity can be done the next day or the next class meeting. When the problem is reviewed, the Reading teacher will help the students decide what the important information is and then highlight or underline that information. The problem will next be taken to the English teacher. The teacher will help the students rewrite the problem in their own words and also restate the question. Finally, the problem will be taken to the Math teacher where the set-up, solving, and checking will take place.
It would be ideal if each teacher had a copy of the book to refer to while solving these problems, though it is not mandatory.
Depending on the difficulty of the word problem, several problems can be presented for each week. Each problem would need a separate handout. Time could be devoted to review two or three problems at a time if they are relatively simple. The problems, however, should be similar. In other words the problems should come from the same book. Or if you are no longer using books, then the problems should be of the same type i.e. multiplication, division, geometry, etc.
Lesson Plan 3
Objective: Students will be introduced to exponential growth math picture books
Materials: Exponential Growth Math Picture Book (refer to references), Word Problem(s) of the Week handout
Activities: A general introduction to exponential growth should occur before the introduction of the picture book. The format of the lesson will be the same as the prior lesson. The book will be read by the Reading teacher. When the word problems are introduced the Reading teacher will assist in highlighting important information in the word problem. The English teacher will assist in rewriting the problem and restating the question. The Math teacher will assist in setting up the problem, solving and checking. Again, if the problem is relatively simple, then several problems can be grouped together and done as problems of the week. Each problem should relate to the picture book
Lesson Plan 4
Objective: Students will be introduced to money math picture books
Materials: Money Math Picture Book (refer to references), Word Problem(s) of the Week handout
Activities: A general introduction to money and decimals should occur before the picture book is introduced. The same procedure should occur as the previous lesson plans. The book will be read by the Reading teacher. When the word problems are introduced the Reading teacher will assist in highlighting important information in the word problem. The English teacher will assist in rewriting the problem and restating the question. The Math teacher will assist in setting up the problem, solving and checking. Again, if the problem is relatively simple, then several problems can be grouped together and done as problems of the week. Each problem should relate to the picture book.
An appendix of word problems for each book has been provided in this document. In addition, word problems were presented in the document and discussed. Any word problem you wish to use is perfectly acceptable for this curriculum unit. Adapt the unit and the lesson plans to fit your needs.
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