Step 1: In your group, choose a topic from High School mathematics that would be suitable for making effective use of some of the technological tools that you have been introduced to in this class (this includes graphing calculators). Some suggested topics might include:

Graphing inequalities to solve Linear Programming problems
Solving Systems of Linear Equations
Investigating Conics
Circle and triangle geometry
Circle and triangle trigonometry
The Pythagorean Theorem
Exploration and Use of the Math Forum Resources
Developing the notion of "Function" dynamically
Composition of functions
Maximum/minimum problems
Data explorations (sampling, probability, statistics)
Transformational Geometry
Tessellations
Tangents to curves
Integration
Iteration and chaos
Fractals
Circle Inversion

Once you have decided on your topic, let me know what it is. In this way I can ensure that no two group have chosen the same topic.

Step 2: Discuss where you want to begin with the topic.
- What prior knowledge or experience must you assume for your students?
- What would be an interesting way to introduce the topic?
- Could you start with an investigation or exploration of some problem?

Step 3: Plan your sequence of four lessons, building from the introductory experience (the first lesson). Each subsequent lesson should add to or expand the students' knowledge of the topic. Decide how you will divide up the work among the four of you. Also decide how you will assess the students' work on these units. Include an assessment plan.

You need to work collaboratively on developing the sequence of lessons, but each individual should have a major responsibility for creating the specific activities for one lesson.

At this point draw up a contract specifying the responsibilities of each member of your group. Hand in a copy of your contract with each group members' signature on or before November 9.

Step 4: Share your activities with each other in your group. Try them out and give feedback to each other. Use your assessment plan to evaluate each others' responses to the activities.

Step 5: Revise your activities and assessment plan based on the feedback from other members of your group. Recycle through steps 4 and 5 until you all feel satisfied with all the activities and the assessment plan(s).

Step 6: Write up an outline/description of the unit with a guide for teachers to implement the unit. The guide should include tips for organizing the students, software/hardware required, and suggested questions to ask students or challenges to pose for students. Provide an assessment guide for the teacher. All of your final project must be saved in a group folder, which you should create in our class folder. Include any prepared files that students would be using in the unit.

Step 7: Plan your presentations to the class. The whole group needs to be involved in the presentation. Assign roles. Prepare any handouts you intend to use in your presentation. The presentation needs to include the following:
- an overview of the teaching unit;
- an example activity for the EMAT 4680 students to experience.
Your group will have 30 minutes for the presentation.

return to EMAT4680 Assignments page