Group items tagged

Students can get excited about using some simple measurement techniques to accomplish something big.  Working in heterogeneous ability groups would help students whose math ability is lower contribute without feeling inadequate.

Alter the number of pictures that a student needs to collect if they struggle. Define rolls so that students who need help are in a role they can be successful to help the group. 

4.1.2 "Investigate the variety of ways in which heat can be generated and moved from one place to another. Explain the direction the heat moved." This activity can be used with gifted students by allowing them to observe another candle burning in a bowl with no water present. The students can then compare and contrast the differences in the candles and the way in which they burn, and make inferences about why they believe the candles are different. This activity can be used with older age groups in the same way. The older students may be able to light their own candles as they work in groups, while still monitoring their progress.

How cool is this! I definitely want to try it!

The Design Process: Identify a need or problem to be solved; brainstorm potential solutions; document the design throughout the entire design process; select the most appropriate materials to develop a solution that will meet the need; create the solution through a prototype; test and evaluate how well the solution meets the goal; communicate how to improve the solution. This activity can be modified for gifted students by having them record their predictions, as well as measure how much weight each bridge held. The activity can be adjusted for younger grades by having them design only one bridge, rather than several. It can also be adjusted by providing specific materials for the younger students, rather than giving them a wide variety of choices for materials.

This project would also be excellent for creating a sense of community in the classroom as everyone would be working together toward a common goal (acceptance of their project by NASA_.   ELL differentiation:  I would probably find a different project to accommodate ELL's as this project is very intense, and requires a strong command of language (in order to follow instructions.)  It is possible to create a book of picture instructions for the project or give them a smaller, yet still important role in the class for this particular assignment.

4th graders can create a pattern sequence with a rule or fill in the missing number in the sequence using the IXL online game/patterns: Geometric Growth Sequence

This activity can be used as a language development activity for ELL students. You can ask them to describe the shapes and colors of the nuts and bolts. ELL students can use their visual strengths to excel in sorting activities such as this one.

This would be a great activity for math tubs. Make sure not to include anything that could be sharp or a danger to a 5 or 6 year old student!

K.MD.3 "Classify objects into given categories; count the numbers of objects in each category and sort the categories by count."

4.OA.4 "Find all factor pairs for a whole number in the range 1-100. Recognize that a whole number is a multiple of each of its factors. Determine whether a given whole number in the range 1-100 is a multiple of a given one-digit number. Determine whether a given whole number in the range 1-100 is prime or composite." This activity could be used for gifted students by providing a bigger number chart. It could also be used for ELL students by providing a smaller number chart (ex: a 50 chart). This activity could be used for younger ages by having the students identify different types of numbers. For example, the students could be searching for even numbers or odd numbers, rather than prime or composite numbers.

4.G.2 "Classify two-dimensional figures based on the presence or absence of parallel or perpendicular lines, or the presence or absence of angles of a specified size. Recognize right triangles as a category, and identify right triangles." This activity can be modified for ELL students, gifted students, etc. by using fewer shapes, as well as shapes that are easier to identify. In the other sense, it can be modified to include more shapes that are more difficult to identify. This activity could also be used in other subject areas, such as science. It could be used to identify different classifications of plants and animals. It could also be used in foreign language. The students could read a vocabulary word in the foreign language, and then have to say the correct vocabulary work in English.

4.NBT.2 "Read and write multi-digit whole numbers using base-ten numerals, number names, and expanded form. Compare two multi-digit numbers based on meanings of the digits in each place, using >, =, and < symbols to record the results of comparisons." This activity can be adjusted for ELL students by using a smaller deck of cards. The game can first be mastered by using only the black cards (positive numbers). Once the student(s) is comfortable with the concept of the game with the positive numbers, the negative numbers (red cards) can be introduced. This activity can be used for younger ages by working with only the black cards, and modeling proper mathematical words, such as "greater than" and "less than".

MA.K.5 2000 - MeasurementStudents understand the concept of time and units to measure it. They understand that objects have length, capacity, weight, and temperature, and that they can compare objects using these qualities.

Extensions: This activity can connect math with art (using pictures of currency)  This activity also incorporates a real world skill - counting money. Adaptations: Gifted student can use other coins not mentioned to reach goal of $1.00.  ESL students can draw pictures of currency to understand value of money used and use chart to understand place value.  Special Ed students can have more time to count and be paired with another peer.

This lesson offers a great chance to work with a writing lesson.  Students can learn how the wording of their questions might affect the answers they receive.  This could then spawn another lesson in critical thinking about how real surveys done by groups might be biased to their preconceived ideas.  Working in groups would allow students of various ability levels and learning styles to all contribute to the group.