(Observed lesson - outstanding graded – maths investigation)
Teacher: Chris de Cordova
Date: 25th January 2008
Lesson: Maths
Support: None
Learning Objectives
to calculate fractions of quantities (starter)
Tabulate systematically the information in a problem or puzzle. (main lesson)
to think logically and work methodically to solve problems and puzzles (main lesson)
Shared Learning
(Context: Recording for investigations earlier in the year was not very good and this is the third lesson in a
sequence working on improving recording and enquiry techniques. Only one of the HA boys has so far
shown much ability to crack these sort of problems without help)
Starter:
Fractions of quantities - 2 sets of five on board to do on whiteboards (MA of money + LA of whole numbers)
(HA How many different fractions can you find that have 8 as the answer?)
Main teaching:
Children gather at IWB to solve puzzle - crossing river question (girl with chicken, fox and bag of grain)
http://www.kidspsych.org/farm.html
Children can try similar problem on computers - suite available 9:50 - 10:20am)
3 people but weight has to be considered.
http://pbskids.org/cyberchase/games/modeling/index.html
Return children to classroom and ask children to explain what they did. Return to first one and record
moves.
Systematic recording often needed for problem solving.
Differentiated independent activities:
Various problems based on the river crossings idea - see group task sheets
Children can have counters, squared paper, cut out figures from the puzzles
(Jack M (very HA) finishes work quickly. He is in the middle of a challenge on the classic leapfrog puzzle,
working on 4 and 5 frogs a side to find a system and could continue with that if he finishes)
Plenary
How does recording help you to solve problems and puzzles?
What number sequence is in the solution.
Can you explain the triangular number sequence?
What else could you use if you didn't have the little pictures?
How did HA children record their moves?
Success Criteria
Remember to find a suitable way of recording your findings.
Assessment for learning
Target plenary q's at (two LA children), use butterfly sticks (sticks with children names on each for random selection)
to assess children's learning against success criteria
Resources
cm2 counters, blocks, large blocks, pictorial representations of problems