Order of Operation
Seventh Grade/Math: Pre-Algebra
Content Area Objectives Addressed:
*Understanding and using operations with integers.
*Understanding and using properties with integers.
*Applying operations with integers to real life problems.
*Applying properties with integers to real life problems.
a multimedia presentation to teach a concept.
was the process that your students went through to complete this lesson?
began the lesson by showing the students a 3-slide multimedia presentation
about “Absolute Value.” I
then explained that teams within the class would be creating shows which would
explain and apply operations and properties using integers.
We reviewed the “Absolute Value” show and discussed the
requirements for each slide. A handout was also given to each student.
I used the Smartboard to create a sample slide while I
went over the steps and had the students follow along on the guide.
Many of the students had created shows on Corel Presentations and were
familiar with the procedures.
of two were assigned and topics
and blank storyboards were distributed. The students spent the rest of the 90
minute block creating a storyboard which outlined the layout of the slide, the
problem to pose, backgrounds, font style, size, and color, and transitions.
Each student was required
to submit a storyboard for individual accountability and in case the partner
was absent on the day with the computers.
Since this would be a teaching presentation, manual rather than timed
transitions were chosen. Storyboards were due at the beginning of the next class
At the beginning of the next class we reviewed creating a slide, I
checked storyboards, and then students went to assigned rooms to begin work.
This took the remaining time of the 90 minute block.
Students were instructed to e-mail the slides
to their partners and to me. It
was necessary for me to compile the completed shows into larger slide shows:
“Properties” and “Operations with Integers.”
During the third session, teams presented their slides on the
Smartboard and then introduced the following teams. Slides were discussed and
the validity of the applications was assessed.
Peer and self evaluations were given.
did you monitor student progress?
I had to
consult with the groups as they prepared their storyboards and posed the
problems to which they would apply their topic.
This meant that most of the problems were approved before the next
meeting when they would begin the slide shows.
While the students were working on the computers I had to go from room
to room to monitor progress, troubleshoot, and check conduct.
Our rooms are set up with banks of 5 computers, so I had students in
four rooms. Careful assignment of
teams and rooms was necessary.
there a template or an example that students were expected to follow?
were to follow the storyboard and could refer to my sample slide show whenever
much time did you dedicate to this project?
was the final product presented?
presented their final products to the class, and then the slide shows were presented to the other 7th Math classes when
they were studying those same concepts.
was the audience for the final product?
teacher, their own class, and the other 7th grade math classes
viewed the slide shows. Portions
of the slide shows were also presented at a Family Tech Night.
prior knowledge was required on the part of the students in order for them to
be successful in this project? (include curriculum and technology knowledge)
created these as a culmination and review of
a unit on operations and properties with integers.
students had prior experiences creating slide shows or were teamed with
students with experience.
was the student to computer ratio?
students per computer
did you schedule your students' computer time?
arranged time with teachers whose students were at electives and used my own
bank of five comuters.
was the location of the computers and other technology equipment used by
Students were in my room and three rooms adjacent to mine.
would you suggest beginning teachers obtain computer resources for their
students? (Knowing some of your strategies would be valuable for our
other teachers and media/tech specialists for ideas as well as book publishers
and on-line resources.
the level of access for students to use computers/other technologies as they
the level of supervision required for students during the project,
specifically for computer and other technology use –medium
hardware was required for your project?
computers, printers, scanner, Smartboard, projection system
software was required for your project?
presentation program–Corel Presentations
kind of assessment did you use for this project? (Include a copy if you can.)
self, and teacher evaluations were compiled.
The students had a sheet on which to give a 1-5 score.
categories did you assess? (I.e.: content,
screen design, depth/breadth, etc.) Slides
were evaluated on mathmatical accuracy and valid application
the property or operation.
slides should be easy to read and navigate through.
does the product that you submitted compare with other students'
products for this same project?
I chose the teams so that they would be equitable, the products sumitted were
of similar quality to others. Each
member of the team had to submit a storyboard. Some were a little neater penmanship than others.
the enthusiam with which they approach the technology application was great.
Organizing the storyboard was not as “fun”, but made the time on
computers more efficient.
did the students like best about this project?
students loved writing the problems and importing graphics to go along.
Some of them scanned personal photographs to go with their stories.
They were also proud of their work and eager to share using the
the level of student involvement in this project –high
the level of student interest in this project –high
you teach this lesson again?
plan to have my Pre-Algebra students do this each year to present to the other
math classes. They really had to
put a lot of thought into the problems because it was going to be used as an
example for their peers.