ITES Activity 3 by Aislynn Denny

Here we go...

Activity 3: Analyze the Common Core / Essential Standards of one other subject area for places to connect objectives with those of the ITES. Take notes in the form of a blog on all the connections that you find. What commonalities do you notice? How do they compare?

Because I worked with a group of 7th grade boys during our extra help sessions, I'm going to focus on 7th grade.  Looking through the CommonCore Standards for Math I can see how this will be a challenge for many teachers and certainly for media specialists like me! I am what’s politely called mathematically challenged, so making connections between my field and math is not the easiest thing on Earth.

Still, the overview for math says:

Ratios and Proportional Relationships

• Analyze proportional relationships and use them to solve real-world and mathematical problems.

The Number System

• Apply and extend previous understandings of operations with fractions to add, subtract, multiply, and divide rational numbers.

Expressions and Equations

• Use properties of operations to generate equivalent expressions.
• Solve real-life and mathematical problems using numerical and algebraic expressions and equations.

Geometry

• Draw, construct and describe geometrical figures and describe the relationships between them.
• Solve real-life and mathematical problems involving angle measure, area, surface area, and volume.

Statistics and Probability

• Use random sampling to draw inferences about a population.
• Draw informal comparative inferences about two populations.
• Investigate chance processes and develop, use, and evaluate probability models.

Connections

The short version is this:

Ratios & Proportional Relationships == Sources of Information
The Number System == Technology as a Tool
Expressions & Equations == Sources of Information
Geometry == Sources of Information, Technology as a Tool
Statistics & Probability == Sources of Information, Research Process, Technology as a Tool

But that really doesn’t explain how they can be connected does it?

So here’s the long version:

With the objective to solve real-life problems in Ratios & Proportional Relationships, Expressions & Equations, and Geometry teachers could connect to the Sources of Information (SI) standard in order to use current events to locate the real life math problems they solve for various lessons.  Academic databases – some of which can be found through NCWISEOWL can provide access to articles with a mathematical focus such as MovieMath! from Scholastic DynaMath.  Students can also learn how to search for math related news articles online and in print media as well as evaluate the reliability of the source material as part of the unit.  Admittedly I think evaluating the source will probably be easier to connect to the ELA and Social Studies curriculum it has merit for real life math based problems as well.

Geometry: Students have to understand how to draw construct & describe geometric figures.  If you wanted to connect with Technology as a Tool (TT) a math teacher could use online tools such as Illuminations: an online isometric drawing tool.  This would allow students to see how degrees and dimensions can be altered and change the look of a shape or figure.  (Note: This is a work in progress, I haven’t figured out how to use this tool yet. I just started playing with it today.) 

Statistics & Probability: Teachers will be able to use Sources of Information (SI) & the Research Process (RP) in order to pull or have students comparative inferences between two groups. One idea is for teachers to co-teach a lesson that utilizes both math and social studies –students conduct polls and use statistics to determine potential outcomes for a mock election.  They can connect their findings to historical data utilizing the same questions found through reliable sources.  Students would have to use a solid research process to select historical or current poll questions that have data readily available to compare to the data students gather from their own polling.  This research process would culminate in a project to showcase the students’ findings in a manner of their choosing (a potential for using Technology as a Tool (TT).  This type of project would be undertaken by both math & social studies teachers as well as the media specialist – talk about a collaborative effort! I’ll be honest though, I’m not sure if this is a 7^th grade level lesson. I would have to talk it over with my 7^th grade math teachers and see.  I think it could work though.

Welcome!

Every blog should have a welcome post to tell you just what you're getting into.  I'll state upfront that I don't know how frequently I'll be updating this blog, though I would like to have a weekly posting schedule once the summer is well and truly started.  Now, just what is this blog all about?

This is a place to discover or rediscover technology tools that can be used effectively in schools.  Nothing fancy, nothing super special, just a place to showcase how teachers can integrate more technology into their classrooms.  Now, make no mistake - I'm coming to this from the point of view of a media specialist, not a classroom teacher.  So I accept there are times when I will have grand ideas for how something could be used without considering the logistics of a classroom. Hopefully some kind soul will come along and point out just how some of these plans can be implemented as painlessly as possible.

So...what are we waiting for? Let's start discovering some awesome tech tools!