collins emerging trends_lesson

Touro University, Gibbs

Blog to Solve Math Problems

Teacher Name: Brenda CollinsProject Title: Blog to Solve Math Problem SolvingProject Subject(s): Math and TechnologyGrade Level(s): 6Goals & Objectives: Students will be able to:

• Appropriately use a blog site, using proper rules and guidelines for online communication.

• Communicate on a blog with classmates and teacher regarding a weekly math problem.

• Ask meaningful questions for problem solving.• Post answers to math problem solving, including adding

graphics, etc.• Post their own problems for others to solve.

Project ElementsTeacher PPTStudent PPTFormative Assessment-Formative assessment will be ongoing as teacher reviews and checks the blog website. Teacher will check that:

• All students are successfully accessing the blog at least once a week.• Students are solving the problems accurately.• Students are asking questions, giving hints, responding to others questions.• Students are clearly explaining their ideas.• Students are communicating with each other in a positive, constructive manner that encourages continuing dialog.• Students are able to post comments, reply to others and edit their work on the blog.• Students are actively engaged in the weekly problem.


• Students have a positive attitude and can recognize the benefit of the blogging format for working cooperatively with groups of people and for ongoing communication in solving problems.

Summative Assessment


Blog Problem Solving Rubric

Name ________________________

Date________ CATEGORY 4 3 2 1

Problem-solving Actively looks for and suggests solutions to problems.

Refines solutions suggested by others.

Does not suggest or refine solutions, but is willing to try out solutions suggested by others.

Does not try to solve problems or help others solve problems. Lets others do the work.

Attitude Never is publicly critical of the project or the work of others. Always has a positive attitude about the task(s).

Rarely is publicly critical of the project or the work of others. Often has a positive attitude about the task(s).

Occasionally is publicly critical of the project or the work of other members of the group. Usually has a positive attitude about the task(s).

Often is publicly critical of the project or the work of other members of the group. Often has a negative attitude about the task(s).

Contributions Routinely provides useful ideas when participating on the blog. A definite leader who contributes a lot of effort.

Usually provides useful ideas when participating on the blog. A strong group member who tries hard!

Sometimes provides useful ideas when participating on the blog. A satisfactory group member who does what is required.

Rarely provides useful ideas when participating on the blog. May refuse to participate.

Quality of Work Provides work of the highest quality.

Provides high quality work.

Provides work that occasionally needs to be checked/redone.

Provides work that usually needs to be checked/redone.

Mathematical Problem Solving Skills

Is able to take the problem and come up with a solution. Clearly explains thinking. Uses otherÕs suggestion to aid their own problem solving. Give suggestions for others and perseveres until they post a solution

Is able to take the problem and come up with a solution. Explains thinking. Perseveres until they post a solution

Is able to take the problem and come up with a correct solution, but they may not clearly explain thinking.

Is able to take the problem and come up with a solution, although it may not be correct. Does not explain thinking, or explanation is unclear.


Essential Question: How can a blog enhance the weekly math problem of the week, allowing students to communicate effectively with each other and the teacher.

Scaffolding Questions: Do all students know what a blog is? Do all students have access to a computer with internet access?

Approximate Length of Unit (days, weeks)3 days for lesson on blogging.1 day to learn how to access and use the blog website.Ongoing use of blog site for weekly math problem solving.Unit Summary and Sequence of Events, Timelines – give details:Summary: Students will learn about blogs and the ediquitte of blogging. Students will be able to access a class blog site to find out the problem of the week, ask clarifying questions, post hints and final answers to weekly math problems. Day 1: Introduce blogging. What do they already know about blogs. Have they read any blogs? Do they know what a blog is? Explain what a blog is if necessary. What could a blog be used for? Explain what our class math blog will be about. Go over rules for blogging that must be signed by a parent. (inserted below) Have students do a rough draft on paper for a paper blogging activity. Students will write a paragraph or two about something they are passionate about, something they could spend all day doing. A favorite sport, hobby or a topic of importance to them.

Ms. Collins’ Class Math Blog Agreement

Internet safety is very important. In order to participate in our math problem solving blogs, please read the following list of

agreements with your child. Please sign and date this agreement and return to Ms. Collins. Thanks for your cooperation!1. I will never post any information more personal than my first name nor will I post pictures of myself.2. I will not plagiarize, instead I will expand on others' ideas and give credit where it is due.


3. I will use language appropriate for school.4. I will not insult my fellow students or their ideas, questions, or writing.5. I will only post things that I am comfortable with everyone seeing.6. I will not be afraid to express my ideas.7. I will use constructive comments or questions.8. I will try to spell everything correctly9. I will not bully others in my blog posts or in my comments10. I will only post photos and graphics which are school appropriate and necessary to explain or enhance my questions, ideas, hints or solutions to the math problems.11. I will not spam (including, but not limited to meaningless messages, mass messages, and repetitive messages)12. I will only post comments on posts that I have fully read, rather than just skimmed.13. I will respect the public nature of online information, and in doing so, I will respect the wishes of my fellow students for keeping their information (full name, etc.) private.

Infractions of these rules will lead to the following consequences in order of severity and number of offense:

1. Letter of apology to those offended by the infraction(individual students, one core class, or whole blogging community),warning by teacher, and editing or deletion of offending post/comment.2. Letter of apology to those offended by the infraction(individual students, one core class, or whole blogging community),temporary loss of blogging privileges (duration of quarter), editing or deletion of offending post/comment.3. Letter of apology to those offended by the infraction (individual students, one core class, or whole blogging community), permanent loss of blogging privileges(duration of school year), editing or deletion of offending post/comment.

Student's Signature _______________________________ date_____________

Parent Signature__________________________________ date_____________

Students will be participating in a class blog for mtath class and will not need to share any personal information including an email address. I will provide students with a universal username and password. Please contact me with any questions or concerns. Thank you for your continued support!

Sincerely,Ms. Collins

[email protected]

Day 2: Students will turn in the parent signed paper and do a final draft of their paper blog. The paper will have a border to allow for post-it not comments. Blog will be written and decorated for use next day.

mailto:[email protected]


Day3: Lesson on commenting to begin with. (inserted below) Students will be given guidelines and sentence starters for commenting on blogs. These quidelines clearly let the commenters know what is appropriate and not appropriate to write as comments. Discussion about why commenting ettiquite is so important.Student’s written blog posters will be placed around the room. Students will be given post-it notes to be used to respond to the written blogs. The rules for commenting time is only one person at a blog at a time. Students are to read the blog carefully. It must be quiet. The students write on the post it note and then attach it to the sides of the written blog using appropriate blogging ettiquitte. This simulation shows how to make comments on a blog site. If they are commenting on a comment, they attach their post it note to the comment. Paper blogs are collected and returned to students next day.

The Art and Aspirations of a Commenter

I believe in the power of a free exchange of ideas. I also recognize that words or access to some information can be of harm to others, intentionally or unintentionally. As acommenter, I therefore aspire to participate responsibly in the great online conversation by:* treating all bloggers with respect.* seeking first to understand what is being said.* celebrating another's accomplishments.* using school appropriate language.* rephrasing ideas in the blog that made me think, made me feel, or helped me learnto let the blogger know his/her voice has been heard.* commenting specifically and positively, without criticism. If I disagree, I will comment appropriately, politely stating my perspective.* being mindful always that I may be a role model to my audience, especially if they are younger .* making no reference to, link to, and/or giving access to any information that may be inappropriate for a school setting.* asking at least one question in my comment with the hopes of continuing a conversation and

deepening thinking.* using a triple check before submitting any comment: Would I be happy to have my mother or father read this


comment? My grandmother or grandfather? My favorite teacher?

Asking good questions is so important in our classrooms. We use them to guide our discussions and push ourselves to a higher level of thinking. So the questioning and thediscussion part is crucial when blogging. Commenting on blogs has the potential to really push those learning connections, but it is also how we keep the conversation going.

Here are some suggestions for comment starters....... * This made me think about....... * I wonder why....... * Your idea helped me to understand… * This post is relevant because.......* I wish I understood why.......* This is an important question or hint because....... * Another thing to consider is....... * I can relate to this....... * This makes me think of....... * I discovered....... * I don't understand.......* I was reminded that.....* I found myself wondering.......If you are interested in keeping the conversation going (as your teacher is!), be sure tofinish your comment with a question to the blog’s author

Day :4Students will be given instructions on how to access the blog website. Students will go to the computer lab for guided practice. Weekly problems will be posted for them to begin the weekly problem.

Ongoing:Each week 3 levels of new problems will be posted by the teacher. Levels appropriate for all learning levels. Students can blog their clarifying questions. Students can let others know when they think they have the answer and later in the week offer hints to others. On Thursday nights they can post their answers for everyone to see. During the week


students can also post their own problems they’d like others to solve.

Software and Hardware needed:-computers with internet connection in the lab for the practice day.-computers with internet connection at home.-Blog website

Accommodations for Differentiated InstructionLearning Challenged Student:

Students can ask questions, but more importantly see other student questions, and use the hints given later in the week. Students can choose the level of problem they’d like to try and solve. The 3 levels will make access for all learners possible

Gifted Student: Gifted students can attempt all 3 levels of questions, and post their hints to others later in the week as well as post their own problems to be solved.

ELD Student: There will be 3 challenge levels, one being less dependent on English to be able to solve.

IDENTIFY STANDARDS – Select two or three standards from each category and copy/paste them into this documentSpecific Teacher Performance Expectations (TPEs):TPE1A: Specific Pedagogical Skills for Subject Matter Instruction

• They provide a secure environment for taking intellectual risks and approaching problems in multiple ways. Candidates model and encourage students to use multiple ways of approaching mathematical problems, and they encourage discussion of different solution strategies. They foster positive attitudes toward mathematics, and encourage student curiosity, flexibility, and persistence


in solving mathematical problems.TPE5: Student Engagement

• Candidates for Teaching Credentials clearly communicate instructional objectives to students. They ensure the active and equitable participation of all students. They ensure that students understand what they are to do during instruction and monitor student progress toward academic goals.

TPE9: Instructional Planning• Plan instruction that is comprehensive in relation to the subject matter to be taught and in accordance with the state-adopted

academic content standards for studentsSpecific CA Content Standards:Standards for Mathematical Practices1. Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them.2. Reason abstractly and quantitatively.3. Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others.4. Model with mathematics.5. Use appropriate tools strategically.6. Attend to precision.

California Math Standards (6th Grade)


6NS2.1 Solve problems involving addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of positive fractions and

explain why a particular operation was used for a given situation

6NS2.3* Solve addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division problems, including those arising in concrete

situations, that use positive and negative integers and combinations of these operations.

6AF2.3 Solve problems involving rates, average speed, distance, and time.

6PS2.2* Identify different ways of selecting a sample (e.g., convenience sampling, responses to a survey,

random sampling) and which method makes a sample more representative for a population

CA Technology Standards• Identifies student learning styles and determines appropriate technological resources to improve learning.• Considers the content to be taught and selects the best technological resources to support, manage, and enhance

learning.• Demonstrates an ability to create and maintain effective learning environments using computer-based technology.• Demonstrates knowledge of privacy, security, and safety issues (e.g. appropriate use of chatrooms, confidentiality

of records including graded student work, publishing names and pictures of minors, and Acceptable Use Policies).

Specific ISTE Tech Standards for Students:2. Communication and Collaboration Students use digital media and environments to communicate and work collaboratively, including at a distance, to support


individual learning and contribute to the learning of others. Students:

a. interact, collaborate, and publish with peers, experts, or others employing a variety of digital environments and media.b. communicate information and ideas effectively to multiple audiences using a variety of media and formats.

5. Digital Citizenship Students understand human, cultural, and societal issues related to technology and practice legal and ethical behavior. Students:

•a. advocate and practice safe, legal, and responsible use of information and technology.b. exhibit a positive attitude toward using technology that supports collaboration, learning, and productivity.c. demonstrate personal responsibility for lifelong learning.d. exhibit leadership for digital citizenship.

Specific ISTE Tech Standards for Teachers:3. Model Digital- Age Work and Learning

Teachers exhibit knowledge, skills, and work processes representative of an innovative professional in a global and digital society. Teachers:


a.

demonstrate fluency in technology systems and the transfer of current knowledge to new technologies and situations.

b.

collaborate with students, peers, parents, and community members using digital tools and resources to support student success and innovation.

c.

communicate relevant information and ideas effectively to students, parents, and peers using a variety of digital-age media and formats.

4. Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility

Teachers understand local and global societal issues and responsibilities in an evolving digital culture and exhibit legal and ethical behavior in their professional practices. Teachers:

•

b.

address the diverse needs of all learners by using learner-centered strategies providing equitable access to appropriate digital tools and resources.

c.

promote and model digital etiquette and responsible social interactions related to the use of technology and information.

REFERENCES – List websites, books, magazines, and other resources used to collect content information for this unithttp://www.notesfrommcteach.com/2010/09/learning-to-blog-using-paper.html


http://mlearning.edublogs.org/2007/03/16/workshop-activity-paper-blogs/#comment-7206http://mlearning.edublogs.org/2007/03/16/workshop-activity-paper-blogs/#comment-7206

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