TOPReturn to list of materials about "Planning and implementing a new inquiry unit"
In-service program documentation
Planning and implementing a new inquiry unit (D7.5)
Brief description of selected units designed by the participants
Note: Units for which a final report has been included in these materials have been identified with an asterisk.
Betty and Cheryl, "Probability" Math 7 Blended
During this unit, students used probability to solve practical problems. The following concepts/topics were covered: defining probability; using problem-solving strategies such as logical thinking and trial and error; using experiments and games to determine probability; independent and dependent probabilities; making hypotheses and supporting conclusions; recognizing probability as a useful tool to illustrate and deduce mathematical ideas; using tools to analyze statistical arguments; fractions, equivalent fractions, and comparing fractions.
Suzanne and Gail, "Cookie Unit" Math 7 (class of severely learning disabled students)
Within the context of starting a cookie business, the following concepts/topics were covered: relating math to real life; using math to do real life skills; real life use of multiplying fractions and whole numbers; measuring in real life situations; learning how stocks are used to raise money to start a company; designing a share stock; comparing unit prices; estimation; keeping accurate records; making and selling cookies; working in cooperative groups.
Jim and Dave , "All You Ever Wanted to Know About _" Math 7 Blended
During this unit, students measured the circumference and diameter of several objects using strings and rulers in order to investigate the relationship between circumference, diameter, and pi (i.e. c/d = pi). They also worked cooperatively on extra credit activities requiring application and problem solving using the formulas of a circle.
Mary and Ann, "Word Problem Unit" Math 6
During this unit, students organized information to create, write and solve word problems involving addition, subtraction, multiplication, decimals, and percents. The concepts/topics covered were: estimating sums and differences of decimals by rounding; comparing decimals; estimating decimal products; adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing decimals; rounding decimal quotients and products; writing decimals as fractions and fractions as decimals; recognizing that fractions have a decimal equivalent; writing ratios as unit rates; solving proportions; understanding the meaning of percent; finding percents of numbers; finding what percent one number is of another; solving word problems and determining the reasonableness of answers; determining whether a problem has too much or too little information.
Kathy, "Real Life Unit" General Math 9
During this unit, students used "play" money that they earned from assignments, checkbooks, classified ads, maps, bus schedules, menus, catalogues and almanacs to actually figure out what they would do in "real life" when they try to find a job, "open" a checking account, rent an apartment, buy a car, calculate income taxes, figure public transportation costs, estimate grocery costs, figure out the bill and tip at a restaurant, do holiday shopping, and plan a holiday trip. Pertinent topics were percents, decimals, basic operations, check writing, tax, interest, budgeting, fractions, reading charts, balancing checkbook, interpreting classified ads, catalogue ordering, map reading, estimating, circle graphs, line graphs, and travel plans.
Jennifer C., "Pizza Pi: Applications of Pizza As Circles" Grades 9-12 (alternative urban school)
This five-day unit was designed to engage students in a mathematical investigation which would draw connections between the school-context of "circles" and the life-context of "pizzas"; allowing students to empower themselves by recognizing their mathematical strengths in the creation of a meaningful final investigative project. Using the common theme of pizzas, the following concepts were covered: circumference, diameter, radius, area, arcs, and sectors of circles; fractions and proportions; communication in the classroom and the community; question-posing.
Carol, "Holiday Unit" Math 8
In this unit the theme of the tradition of gift-giving was used to cover the following concepts: addition/subtraction of decimals/whole numbers; multiplication/division of decimals/whole numbers; estimating; percents (discounts; sales tax); unit price (comparative shopping); reading and construction of graphs and charts. The unit ended with a Christmas-shopping project.
Sue and Meghan, "Career Unit" Math 8
Some of the concepts that were covered throughout this unit were statistics and graphing, commission and tax, percent, proportions, fraction, decimals, comparing annual salary to hourly wages and time and a half, and minimum wage. Students were asked to complete a "job project" in which they were to select, research, and answer a combination of questions (from a list compiled from their presentations made to the class after they had completed job interviews of adults).
Nancy, "Science Inquiry: Our Bodies/Our Sports" Science 8
This outline includes several concepts/topics that could be explored such as how science figures into sports activities; skills needed for particular sports; training needed to be successful in different ports; BODY SYSTEMS involved with sports; problems arising from the participation in sports; how injuries are rehabilitated; measurement in sports (distances, speed, altitude, % of body fat); collection of data; graphing of data; statistics.
*Cindy and Denise, Olympics Unit, Math 8
Within the theme of the Olympics, students explored the topics of who's the fastest, who wins, medal counts and ranking, and conducted a research project. The following concepts were covered: misleading statistics, collecting data, graphing data, averaging data, percent, circle graphs, calculator use, estimation, measurement, slope computation, conversion, ordering decimals, current events, use of newspaper, drawing conclusions, scientific topics, history of measurement, news-reporting, and question asking.
| TOP |