I found a pretty cool lesson plan from http://mathforum.org/workshops/sum98/participants/sinclair/problem/intro.html.
It involves students using Microsoft Excel to do math problems. Students can type in formulas on the task bar to visually see what happens when they plug in the correct numbers. Students can tackle real life problems such as money spent and grades made using the spreadsheet exercise. This is great because if students are interested in what they are learning about and if they can see that it is useful in the real world, then they will be more apt to stay focused. Teaching is all about relating material to what the kids know and want to know. This particular exercise will do that.
Examples of problems:
Batting Averages for baseball players
Age Differences
Money Earned and Spent
Profits
Inventory
Golf Scores
I like how students can use excel to do math problems and how you can relate using excel to what students want to know. It can be tough trying to teach students about excel and math in general if they are not good at it and or dont want to do it. If you have a kid that likes sports or likes managing how he spends his money and can relate your lesson around this type of student to get their interest up then you are doing your job as a teacher. I like the creativity!
ReplyDelete