EDUC 531: Term III Assignment

Plan, Teach and Analyze, and Represent a Mathematics Lesson

Student teacher(s): Melina Varney and Kelsey Jurewicz
Location:
Penn Alexander School
Grade:
First grade
What
In this lesson, students will learn to apply their additive reasoning to an unfamiliar problem
structure--an equal grouping multiplication problem. The first grade at Penn Alexander uses the
Investigations curriculum, which has recently introduced number stories in the form of
contextualized addition problems. The primary focus of these number stories has been addition
within 20. In our placements, we have noticed that some of the students in our classes are
doing this fluently and utilizing advanced additive strategies such as expanded algorithms. The
goal of this lesson is to challenge these students to extend the use of these additive strategies
to multiplicative situations. The task presented during this lesson will be a contextualization of 4
x 11 = 44. Although our students have not yet worked with problems involving more than two
addends, we believe that they will recognize the problem situation as repeated addition and
apply strategies that fall within the early additive and additive strategy portions of the OGAP
Multiplicative Reasoning Framework. Furthermore, we are interested to see if students will use
the fact that 11 is one more than 10 to skip count 10, 20, 30 40 and then add the four leftover 1s
to get 44.
In addition to the development of early multiplicative reasoning strategies, our
secondary goal for this lesson involves the associated mathematical practices, which are
twofold. First, students will choose, among a variety of tools, the one that most appropriately
represents their thinking. Second, because there will be multiple ways students may go about
solving this problem, we want students to participate in a reflective discussion of the various
ways that they and their peers approached the problem. This second goal involves both the
ability to articulate their own thought process and the practice of listening to and reflecting on
alternative strategies.
How
The goals of this lesson will be accomplished through the three-phase lesson format: launch,
work and explore, debrief and wrap up. Upon being presented with the mathematical task,
students will be given ample time to work through the problem independently with their choice of
tools. During this time, we will closely observe the strategies students in our respective small
groups are using, asking probing questions and providing support as needed. Our hope is that
by providing a variety of different tools, students will develop multiple strategies for solving the
problem. In the discussion to follow, we will act as facilitators, helping students to articulate how
they thought about the problem and how they approached solving the problem. To further
evaluate how the whole group debrief and discussion informed students approaches to solving
equal grouping problems, we would conclude the lesson with an one of two exit slips,
depending on which we feel is most appropriate given the strategies and discourse we observe
taking place throughout the lesson. The first option will ask students to show how one of their
peers solved the problem in a different way. This would emphasize the importance of listening
to and attempting to understand the approaches taken by their peers. Alternatively, the second
exit slip option will ask students to show how they would solve the problem if a 5th group was
added to the initial 4 groups of 11. The exit slip will ask students to describe or illustrate how
they would solve the problem if there were 5 seed packets with 12 seeds in each packet. This
exit slip would further demonstrate to us the ways that students are thinking about equal groups,
and possibly demonstrate a students ability to apply a more efficient strategy used by one of

Comment [CE1]: This is excellent!

TERM III MATH -- LESSON PLAN ROUGH DRAFT

their peers, which would provide insight into the effectiveness of the debrief portion of the
lesson.

Comment [CE2]: I really like this option

Why
The task for this lesson was chosen specifically as a means of challenging students to apply
their additive reasoning skills to a multiplicative situation. The students we will be including in
these groups are students whom we have consistently observed to use advanced addition
strategies (i.e. partial-sums algorithms, number decomposition, skip counting) to solve number
stories in class. Hiebert et al. discuss that tasks should allow for students to invent and examine
strategies for solving problems, but that tasks must also be structured in a way that allows
students to use skills and knowledge they already possess. Our hope is that by presenting our
students with an unfamiliar problem format, they will extend their additive reasoning strategies
to invent solutions to an equal groups multiplication problem.
Although addition involving more than two two-digit numbers is not included in the PA
Common Core State Standards until grade 2 (2.NBT.6), we believe that the students selected
for this small group lesson are capable of developing solutions to this problem. Our goal is to
present them with a task where the solution approach is not immediately evident, thereby
forcing them to think creatively and invent strategies to solve the problem. Furthermore, their
ability to solve this problem will demonstrate mastery of several grade 1 Common Core
Standards, outlined in the standards section below. While our chosen task falls beyond the
scope of the Common Core Practice Standards for grade 1, it is supported by a number of
grade 1 NCTM Content and Process Standards, identified in our lesson plan below. The
applicable NCTM standards include multiple aspects of the task, such as the ability to
understand the problem as repeated addition, visually and numerically represent their thinking
and choose appropriate tools to model the situation it falls within the Common Core Standards
for Mathematical Practice. These include constructing viable arguments and critiquing the
reasoning of others, modeling with mathematics, and using appropriate tools strategically.
Finally, the task encompasses components of the grade 1 Investigations curriculum used by
Penn Alexander, including composing numbers with three addends and the ability to name and
compare different strategies used for solving problems, as well as discuss how different tools
can be used to model and solve problems. The latter elements will be emphasized directly
during the debriefing at the end of the lesson.

Comment [CE3]: Wonderful

Comment [CE4]: agreed

Task: Solve a contextualized multiplication problem using existing additive strategies. Based on
our knowledge of our students, this task will challenge them to invent solutions to an unfamiliar
type of problem, but will remain accessible because they can use strategies that they already
know.
Discourse: The debriefing will encourage student-to-student talk, with the student teacher
acting merely as a facilitator. The purpose of this discussion is for students to articulate and
reflect on their own problem solving approach, as well as listen to and understand the
alternative strategies used by their peers.
Tools: Students will be provided with a variety of appropriate and familiar tools to complete the
task. A component of our formative assessment for this task will be making note of the tools
students select and how they use them.
Norms: Explicit expectations at the beginning of the lesson will remind students that there are
multiple right and appropriate ways to approach the problem and that each student will be
responsible for engaging in discussion around these various strategies. Additionally, students
will be expected to explain and justify their method for solving the problem.

Comment [CE5]: You also probably want to emphasize the

norm that you will be expecting them to explain and justify
their solution method (that how they solve it and being able to
explain that is as important as getting the solution)

TERM III MATH -- LESSON PLAN ROUGH DRAFT

Goals & Objectives
Content
Students will invent strategies for solving a contextualized multiplicative problem by
extending their existing additive reasoning strategies to an equal grouping multiplication
word problem. For example, they could apply repeated addition through counting, the
partial-sums algorithm or decomposing the factors into more friendly numbers.
Mathematical Practice
1. Students will be able to represent their thinking through the use of appropriate tools and
visual models.
2. Students will actively participate in a discussion of various approaches to the problem by
explaining their own thinking to the group, as well as listening and responding to the
strategies used by their peers.

Comment [CE6]: At this age, they probably wont use the

algorithm, but they may decompose 11 into 10 and 1 and add
or multiply the tens and ones separately.
Comment [CE7]: Can you connect these directly to the
Common Core mathematical practices?

Standards
PA Common Core State Standards
1.OA.2 Represent and solve problems involving addition and subtraction.
Solve word problems that call for addition of three whole numbers whose sum is less than or
equal to 20, e.g., by using objects, drawings, and equations with a symbol for the unknown
number to represent the problem.
2.NBT.6 Use place value understanding and properties of operations to add and subtract.
Add up to four two-digit numbers using strategies based on place value and properties of
operations.
PA Common Core Standards for Mathematical Practice
3. Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others
4. Model with mathematics
5. Use appropriate tools strategically
NCTM Content and Process Standards (Grade 1)
Numbers and Operations
1B: Understand meanings of operations and how they relate to one another.
-Investigate multiplication as repeated addition as it relates to literature.
-Use various representations to illustrate understanding of addition and
subtraction as it relates to story problems.
1C: Compute fluently and make reasonable estimates
-Develop strategies for whole number computations for addition and
subtraction (i.e. using manipulatives, counting on, number line).
-Write numbers and symbols to represent addition and subtraction.
-Use a variety of methods and tools to compute (i.e. objects, mental
computation, estimation, paper and pencil, calculators).
Algebra
2B: Represent and analyze math situations and structures using algebraic
symbols.
-Use concrete, pictorial and verbal representations to develop an
understanding of conventional symbols for addition, subtraction and
equals.
2C: Use mathematical models to represent and understand quantitative
relationships.

Comment [CE8]: This isnt necessary but Im guessing

you were looking at an old lesson plan that was written before
we had common core.Your PA common core standards are
sufficient here, but I would also add OA 2.2.A.3 on working
with equal groups to develop a foundation for multiplication
Comment [CE9]: ?

TERM III MATH -- LESSON PLAN ROUGH DRAFT

-Model and explain situations that involve addition/subtraction of whole
numbers using objects, pictures and symbols.
Materials and preparation
Instructor Needs
Whiteboard
Dry-erase markers with eraser
Behavior expectations chart
Observation checklist
Exit slips (to be handed out after debrief)
Each student needs
Clipboard
Worksheet to record thinking with problem written on it
Pencil & eraser
Available tools: blank paper, crayons & markers, connecting cubes, hundreds chart, bear
counters, colored math tiles, straws with rubber bands
Classroom arrangement and management issues
Location
This lesson will be conducted in one of the small conference rooms at Penn Alexander. The
room contains one small circular table with room for about six students. Around the perimeter of
the room are several arm chairs. There is also a counter behind the circular table where the
whiteboard and materials will be placed. For the launch of the lesson, all students will be sitting
at the circular table facing the whiteboard. This small learning room will limit the number of
distractions and noise from other students that would occur in the classroom or in the hallway.
During the exploratory portion of the lesson, students will be able to move throughout the room
to work on the floor or in the armchairs. Then, theyll come back to the table for the discussion
portion to share strategies.
Materials
During the launch, students will be given the worksheet where the word problem is written. A
container with pencils and erasers will be set out on the table after the launch (to ensure that
students are listening while directions are given). The other tools (crayons, connecting cubes,
hundreds charts, and bear counters), as well as the clipboards, will be set up on the counter
beside the whiteboard. There is not very much space in the room, so half the students will be
told to line up to choose their tools while the other half re-read the problem and write their
names on their papers at the table. Then, theyll switch. Once everyone has their tools and
name written on their paper, they can spread out throughout the room. If students decide they
want to use a different tool, they can come back to the counter at any time throughout the
assignment. At the end of the exploration, students will be called in groups of two to put their
tools away and move to the table. After the lesson, students will put their pencils and erasers
back in the container and leave their papers in a pile on the table. Each student will be asked to
carry a box of materials back to the classroom.

Comment [CE10]: Good idea

TERM III MATH -- LESSON PLAN ROUGH DRAFT

Management
Overall, I dont anticipate management concerns. Students were chosen because they
demonstrated advanced math knowledge. The material should be at the appropriate level for all
students. Furthermore, behavior expectations and norms will be explicitly established at the
beginning of the lesson. All directions will be given before materials are handed out. The only
concern is that the room is small, so not all students can be moving at once. To avoid any
management concerns, Ill only have a few students moving around the room at once and give
specific directions for who should be moving when.
Plan
Task (50 min total)
Ms. Jurewicz and Ms. Varney want to plant flowers in their garden. They bought 4 packets of
seeds. Each packet has 11 seeds in it. How many seeds are Ms. Jurewicz and Ms. Varney
planting?
Launch (10 min)
Expectations and Norms
a. Go over behavior expectations and norms through anchor chart
i. Connect to number talk, explain that at the end they need to be able to explain
their thinking to other members of the group and listen to other group members
thinking
ii. Explain that there is more than one way to solve the problem and more than one
tool to use
b. Tell students theyll be working independently, talk about what that looks like
Task introduction
a. Introduce word problem & tools and their appropriate uses. Pass out worksheet, reread
word problem asking students to follow along with finger
Introduce problem in narrative form. Ms. Jurewicz and I wanted to plant flowers
in our garden. What do we need to grow flowers? (seeds). The seeds came in
these packets (show & open packet). Inside each packet is 11 seeds. Ms.
Jurewicz and I need you to help us figure out how many flowers were planting
because we cant agree on a number and we need to know how much space to
leave in our garden.
b. Ask students to repeat information such as how many seed packets we purchased, how
many seeds are in each packet, and the problem were solving
c. Ask students to repeat the directions & ask if anyone has questions
d. Place pencils and erasers on table. Call half of the group to choose tools while half reread question and write name on paper. Then groups switch.
I want to keep the introduction & review short because I want students to bring their own
strategies to the problem. Ill introduce the word problem through narrative form so that students
have an additional context. Ill also show them a packet of seeds and the seeds inside. An
introduction to the tools will be the only discussion of prior knowledge. Ill then review the ways
in which students have used the tools in their classroom. The students work frequently with
addition word problems in their Investigations book and shouldnt need a review of how to solve
these problems.

Comment [CE11]: I wonder if you want to have a packet to

show them what it means to have a packet of seeds? Will the
context of seed packets be familiar to them? You could also
choose a different context. e.g, boxes of markers that might
be easier to visualize.

Comment [CE12]: Here is where you want to make sure

they understand the context of a seed packet. Maybe ask a
question like, has anyone every planted seeds? Have you
seen how seeds are sold in packets? Here is an exampleOr
tell it like a story. when I went to buy the seeds, they came
in these packets. Each packet has 11 seeds. I want to know
how many I will have in all

TERM III MATH -- LESSON PLAN ROUGH DRAFT

Work and Explore (20 min)
a. Students spread out to solve problem
b. Walk around to students & ask questions such as
i. Why did you choose that tool?
ii. How are you (counting the items/using a derived fact/using a 100s chart)?
iii. How did you keep track when counting?
iv. How are you representing this on the paper?
v. How will people be able to look at the paper and know how many seeds there
are?
vi. Are there other ways to group the items?
c. Adjust the problem for students who need additional support or challenge (see
accommodations)

Comment [CE13]: What will you get out of asking this

question?

Comment [CE14]: So these are probably not the exact

questions you will ask, but it gets at what you will be looking
for when observing.

During the work period, my role would be to facilitate students thinking. Ill be checking in with
individual students while they work to find out how theyre solving the problem. and why they
chose that method. Ill also try to pose questions that gets them thinking beyond their strategy
(e.g., encourage someone whos counting by 1s to group items, someone whos skip counting
to represent that using a derived fact, etc.)
Debrief (20 min)
Close task & introduce discussion
a. Call students in pairs to return their tools and sit at the table Call students to return to the
table, ask them to keep their tools so they can model their strategy for the rest of the
group
b. Reiterate norms of discussion
i. Student shares their strategy & representation
ii. Student sharing calls on students for feedback and questions -- Model good
feedback and possible questions students could ask
Discussion
a. Call on each student/group of students to share their work with the group
b. Let students provide feedback and ask questions (limit to 2 students due to time)
c. Once other students have asked questions, Ill Ask follow up questions if needed &
provide feedback such as
i. When counting, what number did you start with?
ii. How did you keep track of the groups?
iii. How is this strategy similar to ______s?
d. If students used the same strategy, ask how we could use (a 100s chart, a derived fact)

Comment [CE15]: Probably not necessarysince this is a

new problem structure, multiplication, there isnt a need to
push them toward efficiency just yet.

Comment [CE16]: Such as, how did you keep track of the
groups?

Close
a. Exit slip: number sentence for how to add one more packet of seeds OR describe
someone elses strategy Use pictures or words to show how you would figure out how
many seeds Ms. Jurewicz and Ms. Varney would have if they bought 5 packets of 12
seeds.
i. I will also have exit slips without the numbers filled in so that I can
adjust for students who had a difficult time with the initial problem and during the
discussion
ii. I will encourage students to think about the strategies their
classmates used or if they can find a way to make their own strategy more
efficient
b. Students turn in exit slip & worksheet
c. Each student brings one container of tools/supply back to the classroom

Comment [CE17]: How will you decide?

TERM III MATH -- LESSON PLAN ROUGH DRAFT

I want the discussion to be student led. Often in the classroom, I re-voice students thinking to
make it accessible to the class. However, I want students to be able to demonstrate and explain
their own thinking. I also want to give students the opportunity to respond to their classmates
thinking. The student sharing the strategy will have the choice of which students to call on. I will
have asked clarifying questions during the work period, so students will have already thought
out their work.
Assessment of goals/objectives

Checking in with students as they complete the task

Listening to how students explain their strategies
Observations based on follow-up discussion (students re-voicing other students
strategies, questions posed by students)
Worksheet with students solution and strategy
Exit slip: Number sentence showing how they would solve the problem if another packet
of seeds was added OR showing a strategy that someone else used Use pictures or
words to show how you would figure out how many seeds Ms. Jurewicz and Ms. Varney
would have if they bought 5 packets of 12 seeds.

Informal assessment will be conducted throughout the lesson. While students are working, Ill
walk around to individual students to ask clarification questions about their chosen strategies
their choice of tool, strategies, and representations. Ill use the assessment checklist (see
below) to record whether students are direct modeling, counting by 1s, skip counting, or using
an algorithm to solve the problem. Furthermore, Ill ask questions about how students are
choosing to represent the groups on paper: whether their drawings reflect grouping, include
labels, etc. After the explore period, Ill be listening to how students articulate their thinking to
the group. Ill also be looking for engagement with other peoples strategies through re-voicing,
questioning, or providing feedback. Finally, Ill give one of two exit slips depending on how the
lesson goes. If the students seem to understand the problem well, I would ask them to provide
the open number sentence that represents the problem if I purchased another package of
seeds. If it seems like students struggled, I would ask them to represent someone elses
strategy. Both exit slip would reinforce one of the initial goals. Ill finish the lesson with an exit
slip that asks students to model or explain (without solving) their strategy for a slightly different
problem (5 packets of 12 seeds).

Comment [CE18]: I think you want your questions to focus

on clarification rather than choice
Comment [CE19]: Yes, and having a checklist or place to jot
down notes on what each student is doing could be helpful
here, especially if they are not all producing a written solution

Anticipating students responses and your possible responses

Student Strategies
Direct modeling
This is probably going to be the most frequently used strategy. Response: Help students
make a connection between this strategy and repeated addition or skip counting by asking
students to compare their strategy with those of other group members. Ask how students could
group items to make counting easier. Ask students to label the groups. Ask what the number
sentence is that corresponds to the work they did.
Repeated addition
Students might understand that its a repeated addition problem when they write the
number sentence. The students dont know an algorithm for adding two digit numbers, so they
would either invent their own or rely on counting strategies. Response: Suggest students use a
100s chart to see if they can invent their own algorithm or if they count by ones.

Comment [CE20]: If you get a range of strategies, you could

ask students to make comparisons. For example, one student
uses repeated addition and another direct modelinghow did
each represent the groups of 11?

TERM III MATH -- LESSON PLAN ROUGH DRAFT

Skip counting
Skip counting will probably be the second most likely strategy. Also, students who
counted by ones may group the items when they represent them on the paper. Response: Ask
students who represent the items in groups to model how they counted the items. If students
counted by ones, ask if they think it would be quicker to skip count. Ask students if they can
think of a number sentence to represent their skip counting (e.g., counting by 5s, 5+5+1=11) to
encourage they think about derived facts.
Multiplication fact/derived fact
Its unlikely that students will know a multiplication fact to solve the problem. However,
they may solve the problem using a derived fact. Many of the students chosen for the group use
derived facts in class to solve addition problems. 11 was chosen to see if students would use
10+1. Response: Ask students to describe how they know 11 is the same as 10+1. Ask how
they could best represent this.
Possible points of confusion
Students have never worked with more than two addends at a time. Response: Help
students think about the problem, encourage their use of tools to represent the problem
Students may see the 4 and 11 and automatically add those two numbers together.
Response: ask students to explain what the 4 and 11 represent and what we should be
adding. Help the students model one seed packet of 11 seeds.
Students arent used to working with such big numbers, may lose track when counting.
Response: ask students if they could group items to make them easier to keep track of.
Encourage students to check their work with someone else if theyre having difficulty.

Comment [CE21]: nice

Comment [CE22]: great ideas

Management issues
Scenario 1: Students finish work quickly and are distracting other students
Response: Ask them to solve with another tool or give them a more difficult problem to
solve (see accommodations)
S2: Students begin to draw on their paper, play with cubes, etc.
R: Ask the student to explain their thinking. If the problem is too difficult, help break it
into manageable sub-steps (see accommodations). If the problem is too easy, give the
student an additional challenge (see accommodations).
If the student continues to play with the manipulatives
R: Tell her that the tools are there to help her solve the problem and if the student
continues to misuse them, shell have to find a different tool
Scenario 3: The problem is too difficult for multiple students and theyre doing
nothing/talking to each other/coloring
R: Sit with the group of struggling kids and ask them to solve an easier problem (e.g.,
two seeds per packet, see accommodations)
Accommodations
For students who find the material too challenging
I would talk to individual students to see if anyone was finding the material too
challenging. If a student was stuck, I would first break the problem into sub-steps by asking
something like Could you show me using one of the tools how many seeds are in one packet?
If the student needed further assistance, I would try to find another student in the group who
would be able to explain their thinking. If the problem is still too difficult for a student, I would ask

TERM III MATH -- LESSON PLAN ROUGH DRAFT

him how hed approach it if there were only 2 seeds in each packet. Using his strategy, I would
try larger numbers, and finally return to the original problem of 11 seeds.
For students who need greater challenge and/or finish early
If students finish the problem quickly, the first question I would ask is if they can find a
different tool or way to represent their strategy. For example, if a student used direct modeling, I
would ask if she could represent her thinking using a 100s chart, or if a student drew out the
objects, I would ask if he could group them in another way. If the problem is not challenging
enough for a student, I would ask him what would happen if each of the seed packets had
another number of seeds (between 12-20 depending on how much challenge the student
needed).

TERM III MATH -- LESSON PLAN ROUGH DRAFT

Name: __________________________________________________________________
Ms. Jurewicz and Ms. Varney want to plant flowers in their garden.
They bought 4 packets of seeds.
Each packet has 11 seeds in it.
How many seeds are Ms. Jurewicz and Ms. Varney planting?
Show your work.

Number sentence: ____________________________________________________________

10

TERM III MATH -- LESSON PLAN ROUGH DRAFT

Name: __________________________________________________________________
Exit slip 1: Show What You Know!
Write an open number sentence to say how many seeds Ms. Jurewicz and Ms. Varney would
have if they bought another packet of seeds.
Use pictures or words to show how you would figure out how many seeds Ms. Jurewicz and Ms.
Varney would have if they bought 5 packets of 12 seeds.

Name: __________________________________________________________________
Exit slip 2:
Use pictures or words to explain a way that someone else solved the problem that is different
from the way you solved it.

11

Comment [CE23]: Do students know what this means? You

could also just say write a number sentence to show how
many seeds you would have if you bought 5 packets of seeds.
Comment [CE24]: show

TERM III MATH -- LESSON PLAN ROUGH DRAFT

Assessment checklist: solving an equal grouping multiplication problem
Understanding

Student
name

Interprets
problem
correctly

Represents
problem
correctly

Strategy

Direct
model /
counting

Repeated
Addition

Skip
counting

Notation

Multiplication
fact or derived
fact

Writes
number
sentence
correctly

Other

Comments

12