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Monday, March 7, 2011

Twenty Minute Impromptu Lesson

I've been meaning to post this experience from a couple weeks ago. I really enjoyed this opportunity.

So, I went to observe one of my SCSS students in a first grade class. I saw a life-size (meaning it was maybe 12 ft long by 8 ft wide) 100s chart placed on the floor. The students were using it independently while the teacher was preparing for her next step. I began to tell her how excited I was that she had that in her classroom. She informed me she got the idea from my workshop from Feb. Conference. (Okay, this life-size 100s chart was NOT my idea, but I did share it with folks at our conference). I also told her about all the wonderful things she could do with it. She asked if I wanted to work with the kids using it. I said, "Sure, why not!?"

So begins my 20 minute impromptu lesson with the life-size 100s chart.

First, we found a magic number wand (which happened to be the teacher's pointer she used during circle time). Then, we picked magicians (the students) to pick magical numbers. Then, we did magical things with the number. I told them this was magic that was all made possible by the powerful tool that is the 100s chart.

The magical things we did with the number? Well, we started with adding small one-digit numbers. Then, we added by tens. I taught them how to move the wand according to the number we were adding to the original number. I differentiated based on ability. Some kids ended up doing two to three-step addition and subtraction problems! All because of the magic 100s chart and wand! Not only were they engaged, they were entertained!

As I write this, I am remembering what Rich Allen (author of Green Light Classroom) has said: It is true, our job as educators is not necessarily to entertain. However, our job IS to engage students. Sometimes, we can get students engaged BY entertaining them!

Had I more time, I would have transferred this learning to pencil paper through a series of addition or subtraction problems they were to solve using a paper-sized 100s charts at their desks.

The applications of this life-sized 100s chart are literally too many to enumerate here. This would be a tool that I would use throughout the year, both in life-size and paper form.

Great times!

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