Phase 3
Desired Results
The main goal of my ImagineIT project is for my students to learn to appreciate mathematics. I want them to be able to see that mathematics is not only a subject they take while they are in school, mathematics is everywhere in our world. I want them to see that mathematics is not only a man-made subject but is also utilized by nature. I want the students to view mathematics not as an obstacle in their lives, but as a tool to be utilized to enhance their lives. I want them to realize that in order to change their preconceived notions about mathematics they must use it. They must try to see it by looking for it everywhere they go. It is important they see that since they cannot escape mathematics it is important that they learn to incorporate mathematics into their lives, their relative lives, and their friend lives.
Performance of Understanding
Each unit will start with a pre-test and end with a post-test. The tests are not meant to be punitive but to allow an access point for each student at the beginning of the units. During each unit students will work in groups to unravel the big idea or real world connections to the unit. I will have the students in their groups, explains the real world application of the unit and interpret how the concepts of the unit are being applied or utilized using real world data. I will allow the students to work in their groups taking quizzes, tests and on small projects. The goals of these group assessments are to allow the student to interpret and apply their knowledge of the unit’s concepts. Individually, the students will also take quizzes and test as prescribed by my school district. I will also have the students keep a journal. They will make entries into the journal at the beginning of each unit and at the end of each unit. This will allow me the opportunity to access how much of the unit they have really mastered in a real world context.
Context
During the school year, I teach algebra to freshman students at George Henry Corliss Early College STEM High School which is located in the Roseland neighborhood in Chicago. Roseland’s median income per house hold is forty thousand per year. Corliss student population is composed of ninety seven percent black and three percent Hispanic or other. About twenty five to thirty percent of Corliss’ students have IEP’s. My classroom is located on the second floor of the school. There are twenty six desk, two tables, and four computers in the room. There is a large picture window in the room which provides plenty of natural light. My class size is averages around twenty students per period.
Content
The selected students for my project is all my freshman Algebra classes. This will be the first official high school math class that the freshman will take as they start their higher level learning. I want them to leave my class next spring with the knowledge that they live in a mathematics based world. Simply put, mathematics is essential and a constant in our world. Most students come to my algebra classes with negative attitudes about mathematics as a whole. I want them to be able to utilize mathematics in order to become educated consumers, professionals, and in some cases maybe some kind of mathematics educator.
Pedagogy
I will act as a facilitator in my student centered room as always. My approach for my ImagineIT will include the following.
Technology
Students will make use of cell phones, desktop, and laptop computers to complete assignments as needed.
Desired Results
The main goal of my ImagineIT project is for my students to learn to appreciate mathematics. I want them to be able to see that mathematics is not only a subject they take while they are in school, mathematics is everywhere in our world. I want them to see that mathematics is not only a man-made subject but is also utilized by nature. I want the students to view mathematics not as an obstacle in their lives, but as a tool to be utilized to enhance their lives. I want them to realize that in order to change their preconceived notions about mathematics they must use it. They must try to see it by looking for it everywhere they go. It is important they see that since they cannot escape mathematics it is important that they learn to incorporate mathematics into their lives, their relative lives, and their friend lives.
Performance of Understanding
Each unit will start with a pre-test and end with a post-test. The tests are not meant to be punitive but to allow an access point for each student at the beginning of the units. During each unit students will work in groups to unravel the big idea or real world connections to the unit. I will have the students in their groups, explains the real world application of the unit and interpret how the concepts of the unit are being applied or utilized using real world data. I will allow the students to work in their groups taking quizzes, tests and on small projects. The goals of these group assessments are to allow the student to interpret and apply their knowledge of the unit’s concepts. Individually, the students will also take quizzes and test as prescribed by my school district. I will also have the students keep a journal. They will make entries into the journal at the beginning of each unit and at the end of each unit. This will allow me the opportunity to access how much of the unit they have really mastered in a real world context.
Context
During the school year, I teach algebra to freshman students at George Henry Corliss Early College STEM High School which is located in the Roseland neighborhood in Chicago. Roseland’s median income per house hold is forty thousand per year. Corliss student population is composed of ninety seven percent black and three percent Hispanic or other. About twenty five to thirty percent of Corliss’ students have IEP’s. My classroom is located on the second floor of the school. There are twenty six desk, two tables, and four computers in the room. There is a large picture window in the room which provides plenty of natural light. My class size is averages around twenty students per period.
Content
The selected students for my project is all my freshman Algebra classes. This will be the first official high school math class that the freshman will take as they start their higher level learning. I want them to leave my class next spring with the knowledge that they live in a mathematics based world. Simply put, mathematics is essential and a constant in our world. Most students come to my algebra classes with negative attitudes about mathematics as a whole. I want them to be able to utilize mathematics in order to become educated consumers, professionals, and in some cases maybe some kind of mathematics educator.
Pedagogy
I will act as a facilitator in my student centered room as always. My approach for my ImagineIT will include the following.
- Beginning of unit discussions about the real world connections of the units.
- Students working in collaborative groups completing assignments, projects and assessments.
- PBL projects in their collaborative groups.
- Students will keep beginning of unit and end of unit journals.
Technology
Students will make use of cell phones, desktop, and laptop computers to complete assignments as needed.