I. Curricular Framework

Concept:

Representations

Essential Question:

What major roles do symbols play in our lives?

Bridge:

Life Without Symbols

Content:

Math: Symbols-wheel 1 of 3

Outcomes:

II. Standards Aligned

III. Instruction and Assessment

1. Connect: Connecting to the Concept Experientially

Objective: To create an awareness of the varied number of symbols that are involved in our lives.

Activity: Show the teacher-made slides of symbols that can be found in the students' environment. Students will write their initial reaction to each symbol as it is shown.

Assessment: Quality of reactions and participation of students.

2. Attend: Attending to the Connection

Objective: To analyze reactions to slides. Students will realize that symbols take the place of many words and may have different meanings to different people.

Activity: Students share their reactions to each symbol. Discuss the use of and our dependency on symbols. Make a class list of other symbols in our lives. What is the purpose of symbols in our lives?

Assessment: Participation in discussion.

Assessment, Phase One, Level of Engagement, Fascination:

3. Image: Creating a Mental Picture

Objective: To deepen the connection between symbols and our everyday lives.

Activity: In grups of four, students will write or draw about a situations illustrating “Life without Symbols” or “Why symbols are important” Students will share their work with the class.

Assessment: Quality of group work and participation.

Assessment, Phase Two, Seeing the Big Picture:

4. Inform: Receiving Facts & Knowledge

Objective: To provide instruction on the order of operations and evaluating expressions.

Activity: Introduce the lesson by having students interpret this sentence without punctuationñPaul said the teacher is very intelligent. Ask the students, "Who is intelligent?" Discuss the importance of punctuation in giving meaning to the statement. Relate this to the importance of symbols of operation in math and how the order affects the answer. Topics to be taught: Order of Operations, Writing and Evaluating Expressions.

Assessment: Participation in class discussions and notetaking.

Assessment, Phase Three, Success with Acquiring Knowledge:

5. Practice: Developing Skills

Objective: To practice skills with order of operations and evaluating expressions.

Activity: Students practice skills using textbook exercises, worksheets, and quizzes.

Assessment: Quizzes and tests.

Assessment, Phase Four, Success with Acquiring Skills:

6. Extend: Extending Learning to the Outside World

Activity: Go to either symbols wheel 2 or symbols wheel 3 to find other miniwheels for this concept. Projects for the Symbols Concept are listed under symbols wheel 3.

7. Refine: Refining the Extension

Go to symbols wheel 2 or 3

8. Perform: Creative Manifestation of Material Learned

Go to symbols wheel 2 or 3

Assessment, Phase Five,Performance, Creative Use of Material Learned: