The math concept of our lesson was just that: area. After modeling two examples, the students were split into pairs. The students then traced each others hands onto the one-inch graph paper. Once the students had their hand traced they had to count the number of blocks inside the line. Some students had to combine pieces to estimate a whole.
After the students counted up the total number of blocks they had to multiply that number by 100. And voila! Each student had an estimate of the area of their skin.
Overall, I feel the lesson went well. One thing I find intimidating is going into a classroom to teach a guest lesson. There is so many things that you don't know. We couldn't prepare for the students prior knowledge, diversity, differences in teaching styles, etc. It can be very overwhelming and terrifying to pre-service teacher. I'm an obsessive planner and I am more comfortable when I feel like I have every (or almost every) angle covered.
Another thing that was nerve-wracking was the lack of experience in math classrooms. In my pre-student teaching one experience, it was primarily focused on language arts. Prior to this lesson I had not taught math to a group of students. For my first time, I think it went well. However, there is always room for improvement. Math was never my strong area so I have to work on portraying math in a positive way to my students without my own math fears shining through.
Going to the classroom always brightens my day. This classroom was extremely responsive to us as guest teachers and I was very pleased after some resistance from students in a prior experience. Each teaching experience is valuable to learning and in each one I learn something about myself.
Click here to view the lesson plan.
