Teacher

Teacher Page

Goals & Objectives

Goals:

The goal of this WebQuest is to give the students the ability to navigate the web and create their own PowerPoint presentations on tangrams.

Content Objectives:

Identify tangrams as triangles or polygons.

Demonstrate how to navigate the tangram websites.

Arrange tangrams to make new patterns.

Create a PowerPoint presentation.

Assess presentations using a rubric.

Language Objective:

Discuss how tangrams can be moved to form new figures.

Standards Addressed

Math

Building upon knowledge and skills gained in preceding grades, students will:

4.1A5. Use whole numbers, fractions, decimals, and percents to represent equivalent forms of the same number.

4.2A1. Understand and apply properties of polygons.

4.5B2. Communicate their mathematical thinking coherently and clearly to peers, teachers, and others, both orally and in writing

4.5F1. Use technology to gather, analyze, and communicate mathematical information..

Language Arts

Building upon knowledge and skills gained in preceding grades, students will:

3.1H6. Produce projects and reports, using visuals, media, and/or technology to show learning and support the learning of an audience.

3.3B6. Solve a problem or understand a task through group cooperation.

Gregorc Learning Styles

Concrete Sequential	· Step by step guide for groups and individual roles Use of computer to locate websites for tangrams Rubrics given
Concrete Random	· Navigate the tangrams into figures Creating the roles of the time keeper, recorder, and reporter
Abstract Sequential	· Create tangram PowerPoint Individual component of tangram PowerPoint presentation Oral presentation of PowerPoint project
Abstract Random	· Decide who will have the different roles within the group Brainstorm ideas with team members Calculations of 1/16, 1/8 ,1/4, 1/2, 1

Primacy/Recency According to Sousa

Prime -Time 1	Presentation of the Tangram WebQuest to the students.
Down-Time	As a group, read, discuss, and begin WebQuest.
Prime-Time2	Present and evaluate group presentations.

Multiple Intelligences

The following information is based on Howard Gardner's Multiple Intelligences.

INTELLIGENCE	ACTIVITIES
Verbal/Linguistic	Discussing ideas for the tangram PowerPoint project and their oral presentations.
Logical/Mathematical	Organizing information for the PowerPoint and math conversions of 1/16, 1/8, 1/4, 1/2 and 1.
Visual/Spatial	Creation of the tangram PowerPoint, using the same color background and font size.
Bodily/Kinesthetic	Using the computer keys to move the seven tangram pieces into new figures.
Musical/Rhythmic	Various hyperlinked websites provide music for accompaniment and stimulation.
Interpersonal	The communication used to decide on their roles and tasks for the PowerPoint project.
Intrapersonal	This independent learner can locate the tangram websites and create new objects.

Information Processing Model:

The idea of creating a PowerPoint project opens the sensory register and the limbic system is aroused by the emotions related to the computer. The constant exposure to similar and more complex material sends the new learning from clipboard to working memory, keeping it there long enough to go to long-term storage. Students can confront their experiences and attitudes about the computer by on-line activities related to tangrams.

Motivation:

With any new learning, increased rehearsal time allows for a greater chance of retention. Motivation determines the processing time of new information. The initial attention grabber is using the tangram manipulative. Besides using the internet and given websites, the idea of creating their own PowerPoint is highly motivating and exciting.

Bloom’s Taxonomy:

Bloom’s Taxonomy remains one of the most useful tools for moving students, especially slower learners to higher levels of thinking (Sousa,2001).

The following examples are given:

Levels	Terms	Activities
Knowledge	define identify	Use math book glossary to define tangrams, triangles, and polygons. Which tangram is a triangle or polygon?
Comprehension	discuss explain	How will each individual task will be incorporated into the group? How can tangrams be moved to make new figures?
Application	demonstrate calculate	Navigate the tangrams on the computer screen. Show the difference between 1/16,1/8,1/4,1/2, and 1
Analysis	arrange	Make new patterns using only 7 tangram pieces.
Synthesis	create	Create a PowerPoint presentation through collaborative ideas within the group.
Evaluation	assess	Evaluate PowerPoint presentations using a given rubric.

Click arrow for the next page.

M.T and K.D