This module is for High SchoolActivity 2

Click on the following link to watch the video on classroom-tested math exercises that prompt students to stop and think. Then, complete the activity that follows.

Dan Meyer: Math Class Needs a Makeoveropens in new window [Runtime: 11:36 minutes] (Source: TED)

Time is crucial in the classroom, and there never seems to be enough of it. Therefore, modeling strategies need to be easy to access and implement. The importance of modeling should influence lesson planning.

As you saw in the Dan Meyer video, using the “texts” that you have can be a great starting point. You do not always need to start from scratch since many scenarios are already available. The “hints” or explicit steps just need to be removed. A problem becomes more rich and open-ended when the students are not directed to take a set approach.

Take some time now to reflect on how you can modify texts or problems you already have so they are richer modeling tasks. Write your ideas down so you can implement them tomorrow.

Another strategy that is easy to implement is to simply change how students are addressed. Rather than provide answers to student questions, turn it back on them to find out what they are thinking. Asking them what they notice and what they wonder will encourage them to come up with their own ideas and spark mathematical conversations within their groups.

If you are not familiar with this strategy, click on the following link to watch this short video:

Ever Wonder What They'd Notice (If Only Someone Would Ask)opens in new window [Runtime: 5:15 minutes] (Source: YouTube)

Take some time now to reflect on how you can modify what you already say so the students respond in a richer, non-threatening atmosphere. Write your ideas down so you can implement them tomorrow.

Teaching students how to model will also mean they need to understand the process. The use of a modeling cycle will allow them to see the process. Choices, assumptions and approximations are present throughout this cycle.  Algebra 1 and Geometry expect students to complete various stages of this cycle, but Algebra 2 expects use of the complete cycle.

Click on each topic to learn more about each step of the modeling cycle.


If you would like to observe the modeling cycle in action, watch Dan Meyer’s Teaching With Three-Act Tasksopens in new window (Source: Dan Meyer blog).