Connect students directly to the concept in a personal way. Capture students' attention by initiating a group problem-solving activity before delivery of instruction. Begin with a situation that is familiar to students and builds on what they already know. Construct a learning experience that allows diverse and personal student responses. Facilitate the work of cooperative teams of students.
Interpreting Numbers
Objective: Students determine the significance of assorted numbers (populations) and different regions of the country.
Activity: Students in groups are given a series of cards with numbers related to population of the world, United States, China, California, Nebraska, and Fremont. Students do not know what the numbers represent and are asked to determine how each of these cards relates to each other. After about 5 minutes, the students are given a second set of cards that contain the names of the regions related to the populations. The students are again not told the significance but are asked to determine how they relate to each other. Once they have determined the significance is populations, then have them try to pair them with the correct region and population.
