Classroom Connections Professional Development

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Classroom Connections Professional Development
Content Symposium July 31 - August 1, 2006
Lorie Johnston High School Math Newell High School
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Algebra Graph Activity

• Dancing Graphs
• Choreograph Dance Routine

The students will use graphs of algebra equations
to make a power point slide show. The students
will model the graphs and take digital photos of
each model. They will create a dance routine and
present it in a slide show.
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Dancing Graphs

• Objectives
• Graph and model linear equations
• Graph and model quadratic equations
• Graph and model absolute value equations

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Dancing Graphs

• Procedure
• Use the graphing calculator to graph various
  types of equations. Sketch and label the graphs
  in Windows Journal.
• Model the graphs. Take digital pictures of the
  modeling.
• Create a power point slide show using the digital
  pictures. Represent each of the types of graphs.
• Choreograph your slide show. Use each of the
  graph models as a dance step.

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Dancing Graphs

• Assessment
• Project Rubric
• Self Assessment using the rubric.
• Teachers assessment using the rubric.

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Lesson Presentation Items

• Dancing Graphs
• 1. Content in Tablet

I already have the content on my computer as a
word document. I will print it in Windows
Journal and use the projector to show the
students.
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Lesson Presentation Items

• Dancing Graphs
• 2. How students receive the information

I will send the students an email with an
attachment explaining the project. The criteria
and project due dates will be listed on my
webpage.
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Lesson Presentation Items

• Dancing Graphs
• 3. Student Engagement

I will show the students sample graphs from each
of the different categories. They will copy the
information and the sketches of each graph into
their notes using their algebra folder in My
Notebook
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Lesson Presentation Items

• Dancing Graphs
• Students submit work for evaluation

Each group of students will use the projector to
demonstrate their completed power point
presentation. Their slide show must meet the
requirements described in the rubric. The
completed project will be a slide show in which
the students are using a dance routine complete
with music to model the graphs.
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Lesson Presentation Items

• Dancing Graphs
• 5. Evaluate the student work

Each student will use the rubric to evaluate
their own group. They will save a copy of the
rubric in their algebra project folder. I will
grade the projects by using the same rubric that
the students use for self assessment. The rubric
will be a word document. I will print it to
Windows Journal and complete it electronically.
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Lesson Presentation Items

• Dancing Graphs
• 6. Return the student work

The students will be creating a power point
presentation. The slide show will be presented
to the entire class. After grading the project
I will send the completed rubric to the students
in each group by using an email attachment.
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Lesson Presentation Items

• Dancing Graphs
• 7. Computer management

• The students will close their computers several
  times during this project. The computers will be
  closed for each of the following.
• Students physically model the graphs and take
  digital photos of their group for each graph.
• Students watch the power point presentations
  from the other groups.
• Discussion time as students provide input
  after viewing the presentation.

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Lesson Presentation Items

• Dancing Graphs
• 8. Classroom management--Problems

• This is an activity in which the students really
  get involved. There are still challenges to
  classroom management. Some of the problems are
  the traditional ones such as following
  directions, staying on task and using time
  wisely. There are also some problems that are
  unique to this activity. One problem will be
  time management. By using 1 digital camera for
  the pictures for each group only 1 person will be
  downloading photos. Another problem could result
  if each student creates part of the power
  point---putting it together in 1 file.

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Lesson Presentation Items

• Dancing Graphs
• Classroom management-Possible solutions

• Time management---Have students decide in
  advance which slides to create. Have each
  student in the group download
• the photos for their slide. Each student can be
  working on their slide --- text, graphs etc.
  while waiting for the camera. This would require
  collaboration and and advance planning of color,
  background and other items to include.
• Coordinating material to create 1 power
  point---Students will have to email their slide
  to the group presenter or save it to something
  like a jump drive to transfer it to the
  presenters PC.
• (continued)

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Lesson Presentation Items

• Dancing Graphs
• Classroom management-Possible solutions

• Staying on task Using time wisely---Have
  students close computers when listening to
  directions and discussions. Provide a list of
  duties and allow each group time to divide up
  responsibilities so that everyone has a job. Set
  deadlines so that students have to keep busy.
• This project is one that we would do later in
  the year. By that time students should have an
  idea of procedure, rules and grading
  expectations. The basic classroom management
  things should already be established.

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Lesson Presentation Items

• Dancing Graphs
• 9. Is this lesson repeatable

This is an project that is somewhat unique and
does not seem to be easily repeatable. However
there are definitely parts of it that I can
modify to work with my algebra and my other
classes. I use the digital camera for students in
geometry to find height of objects by using
indirect measurement. Students take pictures
standing beside a tall structure while holding a
meter stick. Students could determine the height
of the object by using proportions with the
measurements in the picture. I could add a
requirement about presenting their information by
power point. I also do a crime scene
investigation in geometry where I could do a
similar type of activity.
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Lesson Presentation Items

• Dancing Graphs
• 10. Other Considerations

• Expectations Laptop Usage I currently use
  a wide array of learning devices such as
  lectures, notes, hands on activities, graphing
  calculators and videos. I know many of them can
  be converted to using with the Tablet PC, but I
  am concerned that because we are a pilot school
  we will be expected to use our tablet for
  everything.
• Organization and Presentation I think that
  we will need to develop a system with continuity
  for saving files, opening files, using My
  Notebook and all of the other considerations with
  going to the 1 to 1 initiative. WE NEED IDEAS ON
  HOW TO MAKE THE TRANSITION AS SMOOTH AS POSSIBLE.

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Dancing Graphs
Y 4
Y -X 4
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Dancing Graphs