Tech, in the Classroom

Math

2nd grade: Standard 1- Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them.

Students will split up in four groups. The activity is called “board races.” One student will be in charge of writing the answer on the board and another student will be in charge of controlling the iPad. The jobs will alternate throughout each student in the group. The teacher will give the students a problem to solve. The students will then work together on solving it and the board keeper will try to put their group’s answers on the board faster than their opponents. Whoever wins overall will get an award at the end of the teacher’s choice.

 

PS.1: Mathematically proficient students start by explaining to themselves the meaning of a problem and looking for entry points to its solution. They analyze givens, constraints, relationships, and goals. They make conjectures about the form and meaning of the solution and plan a solution pathway, rather than simply jumping into a solution attempt. They consider analogous problems and try special cases and simpler forms of the original problem in order to gain insight into its solution. They monitor and evaluate their progress and change course if necessary. Mathematically proficient students check their answers to problems using a different method, and they continually ask themselves, “Does this make sense?” and "Is my answer reasonable?" They understand the approaches of others to solving complex problems and identify correspondences between different approaches. Mathematically proficient students understand how mathematical ideas interconnect and build on one another to produce a coherent whole.

 

Fractions Drills is an easy way for students to practice their fractions. This app starts the learner out by having them simplify the fraction. The second level has them add, subtract, multiply and divide by whole numbers, and invert fractions. The third level includes the student to multiply and divide fractions, invert using mixed numbers, and find the least common denominator. If they are unable to solve the problem then they are allowed to give up and have the problem explained to them.

 

Distribution intelligence is when a student can distrubte a challenging test. When students work in groups, it is harder to monitor their progress because once a student finds something challenging they could easily sit back and watch their peers do all of the work. Having the kids do the board races and assigning jobs with each group goes against this concept. Students are not able to pass on a problem because they will soon be the one to figure out the problem so his/her team can put it on the board.