In Math, an important lesson students need to understand is about order of operations. In this lesson, students learn and practice order of operations, and they are encourage to use the acronym PEMDAS that stands for “Please excuse my dear aunt Sally” to remember the steps. My lesson basically focus on understanding the order of operations and how it can affect the answer in a mathematical sentence with several operations included, and in practice. Though most of the students understand it pretty fast, some others find hard to remember the order and apply the rules.
Based on my experience, I decided to change my lesson plan to try to reach all students and help them understand and apply these rules correctly. To achieve my goal, students will bring their devices to class, and use different technological tools in the classroom.
Differentiation is a very important part of educations. Is the way a teacher responds to the different needs of their students. To differentiate means to adapt your teaching to the different skills and backgrounds of your students, Today differentiation is much easier thanks to technology. By using technology and the many web2 tools available today in internet, a teacher can deliver and share information in many ways, giving students the opportunity to use those tools that fit their needs better based on their particular learning style. By differentiating, teachers are giving students the opportunity to understand better how they learn, so that they could become independent and confident learners. Videos, blogs, applications, websites, games and networks are just some of the many tools that educators can use to differentiate instruction in the classroom. "Differentiated instruction provides a means to address many of the educational factors leading to gaps in achievement" Internet offers a vast array of resources to educators, parents and students that take into account individual learning needs and leaning styles, motivating students to meet their highest potential. Because of technology, teachers today have access to a myriad tools for all steps of the learning process, allowing different ways to absorb, understand, process and deliver information.
In this lesson plan, the main goal is to differentiate instruction according to the different skills and needs of students. They not only have access to the information in many different ways, but also, they are able to share with others their understanding by choosing a project that best adapts to their skills and learning style.
Students are asked to group with other two students, and together they will choose 3 sources to watch, read or listen, and create any of the following projects explaining what order of operations is and the importance of following the rules.
Additional to their project, they will need to complete the following activity.
- Create your own acronym to remember the order of operations.
- Number 1 - 20 down the left side of a sheet of paper.
- Create order of operations problems for each number. The answer to the order of operations problem must be the same that the number of the problem. Examples: The answer for problem number 7 should be seven.
- Use at least 4 operations and 1 set of parentheses in each problem created.
- One way to further differentiate this activity is to vary the number of parameters based on ability levels.
Assessment will be based not focused only in the result, but mainly in the process that students follow in order to achieve their goal.
Accessibility Options are important considerations for students with visual, hearing or motor difficulties. Therefore, resources for their should include various options.
Video
Manipulatives
Visuals
Bibliography
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