Ilagan, Kathy

Teaching An Old Horse New Tricks

For days, I thought about what I wanted to do my lesson plan on and came up with nothing.

A co-worker suggested the theme of using Dr. Suez's "Green Eggs and Ham" to do my spreadsheet lesson plan on. This particular topic did not have such a great review in class (constructive criticism isn't bad) so I was back to square one again. What can I do to get the children all excited during a presentation? I stopped by the school library and took a look around only to find out that the soft ware called "Math Blasters" sitting on the shelf all dusty from not being used. These soft wares were still usable in the old computers in the library. After viewing one, I decided to go with the topic of counting money using a spreadsheet. From these software I found that the students will be able explore real world issues and solve authentic problems using digital tools and resources¹. So my adventure begins.

The Assure Model² is a new concept for me. I am from the old school and a skeleton lesson plan is all that I am used to. Using this particular Model gave me a new perspective on how to really and truly plan and evaluate. The incorporation of using technology in my teaching is also new, (being computer illiterate). I also had to find sources on the web to enhance both my students and me. While planning out my lesson plan, I found many sources on the web that would help my students, not only in math but also in other subject areas. To prove that some were beneficial, I downloaded a few and my 3 year old grandson and I played while we both learned together. One site that we found was “www. coolmath.com.” Trying to tie in the Assure Model and teaching math with Direct Instruction³ (all scripted and no lesson plan needed) was very challenging.

Learning and applying the technological aspect in teaching plus using the Assure Model has made me realized that new techniques can become helpful tools in education, I strongly belief that I will be able to adjust and change my ways of teaching, thanks to the Assure Method and Technology.

I enjoyed the stress and the challenge in preparing this lesson plan. I cannot say that I did not like anything about it, except that the technological portion of this lesson plan, in reality may not become a reality soon due to the New Reading and Math Programs initiated within the school system and the lack of a computer room for the children to do explorations.

I can honestly say that even in my "senioritis " years there is a need for me to continue learning and exploring, with the need to apply new techniques in this ever technological era.

Reference:

The ISTE: National Educational Technology Standards and Performance Indicators for Teachers. (2008). Retrieved
February 15, 2008. Web site:http://www.iste.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=NETS

http://www.coolmath-games.com/lemonade/index.html


SRA: Connecting Math Concepts. A Direct Instruction Program. McGraw-Hill 2003.