Least Common Multiple
The objective of the lesson I did with my students was to find
the least common multiple of 2 numbers less than or equal to 12. I focused my
lesson on 6th grade special education students. It was a small group
setting of 2-3 students. In order for my students to be successful with this
lesson they needed to understand what fractions were and their basic
multiplication facts.
During this lesson I provided my students with physical
representations of the fractions. We worked to find the least common multiple
for each fraction so we could compare the value of the two fractions.
Initially, I thought I would just use PowerPoint and my document camera with
fraction sticks to help my student understand the concept. Upon starting this
lesson, I decided I needed to use a multiplication chart as well as a program
called MathWhizz to help my students understand this concept. Math Whizz is a math
program in which I was able to allow my students to take over my computer
screen and use the manipulative on the screen to split objects into equal
pieces. Not only were my students able to control my screen, but they worked
with other students to make sure they completed the work correctly and that it
made sense. In this way they were demonstrating social constructivism to gain
knowledge about the concept.
This lesson was created in response to my students failing to
show academic progress on this content area. I created this lesson to reteach
and reassess my student’s work. It was important that during this lesson I
facilitated a safe environment in which all students felt save and valued.
There are classroom rules for how to respond and work with one another during
the lesson. After the lesson, my students were able to take a MasteryConnect
quiz to show their knowledge of the material. It is an instant assessment that provides
instant feedback for me on their progress.
Technology was a very important piece to my lesson. It provided
my students with the initial instruction, the practical application, as well as
the assessment. The technology does allow students to not only visually see the
concept, but also to manipulate and physically work with the concept. Students are
also able to collaborate through the technology platform of Adobe Connects. Students
provided feedback to one another through chat pods and microphones.
My students have had lots of access to this technology so they
did not seem to have questions about it. They were easily able to control my
screen, respond to peers, and show their mastery through the assessments. I am
very proud of how they completed this lesson. The only problems with the technologies
seem to be the same as all technologies. There are times when it works well and
time when it does not. I was very lucky with how it turned out this time.
However, being a teacher means you have to be prepared. I always have a backup
plan in case my initial lesson fails. Overall, this was a great experience. I
look forward to using the technologies and concepts in the future and evolving as
time goes on.
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