MATH TOOLS

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Part One: Tools

Explore several hands-on and virtual tools you could use in an elementary mathematics lesson and select four of each to evaluate in the following prompts.

A. Evaluate four hands-on tools that elementary-age students can use to explore mathematical concepts, including the following for each tool:

 one use of the tool to explore mathematical concepts

 one specific benefit of using the tool to explore mathematical concepts

 one specific challenge of using the tool to explore mathematical concepts

Note: Classroom resources (e.g., flash cards, whiteboards) are not acceptable hands-on mathematical tools.

Note: General classroom feasibility characteristics (e.g., storage, cost, availability) are not acceptable benefits or challenges of using the tool.

B. Evaluate four virtual tools that elementary-age students can use to explore mathematical concepts, including the following for each tool:

 one use of the tool to explore mathematical concepts

 one specific benefit of using the tool to explore mathematical concepts

 one specific challenge of using the tool to explore mathematical concepts

a web link to the identified tool

Note: Entire websites or software packages (e.g., IXL.com, Microsoft Excel), classroom technology hardware (e.g., interactive whiteboards, student response systems), and general virtual classroom resources (e.g., virtual flash cards, virtual quizzes) are not appropriate virtual tools for this task.

Note: The web link must be to the actual tool where the user can interact. A web link to an app store or a site that discusses a tool is not acceptable for this task.

Note: General classroom feasibility characteristics (e.g., storage, cost, availability) are not acceptable benefits or challenges of using the tool.

Part Two: Lesson Plan

C. Using the WGU Direct Instruction Lesson Plan Template, create an original elementary-level (K6) mathematics lesson plan that incorporates a tool from either part A or part B and that includes the following:

 one state or national mathematics standard, including the source (web link) of the standard, the alphanumeric indicator code, and the written standard

 one measurable learning objective that aligns to the standard

Part Three: Reflection

D. Explain how the tool from part C will enhance student learning during the lesson.

E. Explain how your lesson plan incorporates each of the following components:

1. conceptual understanding

2. problem solving

3. procedural fluency

F. Explain how one instructional strategy in your lesson plan (e.g., collaborative learning, modeling, discovery learning) supports learning outcomes.

G. Acknowledge sources, using in-text citations and references, for content that is quoted, paraphrased, or summarized.

H. Demonstrate professional communication in the content and presentation of your submission.