Modified Math is a difficult subject to teach via technology because the age and ability simply do not match up. It was challenging to find an appropriate App for a Special Education Mathematics class due to the fact that their skill level--for the most part is at 3rd and 4th grade--does not match the maturity level of the App. Teenagers do not want to play cutesy games that are meant for 3rd graders. They just don't. They don't want to be reminded that they have a learning disability that places them back in the 3rd grade.

Well, after some digging, I found an answer! Digit Whiz is fun without being babyish; it is challenging without being too hard; it is just the right balance!  Students can use the App on an individual basis & they could even team up and play some of the games with a partner (multiplication bubble game is best for this)!

I will say this: there is no substitute for a well thought out lesson that includes modeling and differentiation to really teaches students math. This App is a supplement. It is NOT the end-all-be-all.

Okay, enough of all that--

Here is my lesson plan!

Hola,
CV ESL Screencast Activity Part 1
CV ESL Screencast Activity Part 2

Name: Ash Taplin

Date: 6/21/2014

Lesson Title:

Studying the Cardiovascular System with Anatomy 4D

Grade Level/Subject:

5th Grade Science

Benchmark(s):

    Tablet application used for exploration of the human anatomy

Objective(s):

• Using the interactive application ‘Anatomy 4D’ to supplement discovery learning related to the heart and relation to the entire cardiovascular system

Lesson Assessment:

   

• 1. Students will identify the four chambers of the heart
• 2. Students will identify four important structures of the Circulatory System
• 3. Students will describe the major functions of the Circulatory System.
• 4. Students will explain the role of the heart in circulation
• 5. Students will give a basic explanation of the cardio-pulmonary sequence.

Materials:

Tablet, Anatomy 4D application, target images, and note pad for findings

Length of Lesson:

• Direct instruction on how to use anatomy 4D and purpose of the lesson - 15 minutes
• Exploration of heart and circulatory system in small groups with teacher support - 25 minutes
• Sharing between groups about their assigned area - 20 minutes
• Debriefing - 10 minutes

Lesson Introduction:

Write each of the following terms on a note card:

• Right Atrium

• Left Atrium

• Right Ventricle

• Left Ventricle

• Pulmonary Artery

• Pulmonary Vein

• Aorta

Class will be divided into small  groups (each with their own tablet) . Each group gets one note card with one of the terms listed above and will need to research where their particular part is located with the help of Anatomy 4D.

Students will also need to determine where the blood came from to

get to their part and where it will go when it leaves their part of the heart.

Next, students will create a station where they can teach their classmates about

their part of the heart by using Anatomy 4D to zero in on their section.  After each group selects a representative from their group, the representatives will all meet and discuss in what order each of the groups will present their information so that they are in the proper

sequence The representatives will also create a map of how the classroom can

be set up so that the stations will be in a circle around the classroom in the

correct sequence in which the blood is pumped through the heart.  This could be coupled with a large image of the human circulatory system placed on the floor in the middle of the groups.  

Example of circulatory system working with the respiratory system

The aorta and right atrium working together.

Barriers -
I think the main barrier would be getting groups to share one tablet.  The target images and tablet can be a little tricky to navigate and if all the kids were trying to get their hands and faces in the mix, there might be issues with sharing and participation.

 

Ron Snively's App Lesson

 

Microsoft Surface 2: Algebra Touch App

This App lesson will be done in a modified math curriculum catering to many special needs students studying basic algebra skills. In accordance to the Common Core, this app provides specific lessons within a mathematical/algebraic subject field.  Essentially, students can work at their own pace, because everybody in this specific classroom learns completely different, with variations of accommodations and modifications.

Algebra Touch is a behaviorist platform for learning math that allows for more direct teaching. Perfect for special education.  As each category is broken down into several sub categories, students can choose their weakness, and begin working.  Students will be forced to aesthetically place parts of formulas together using their touch, and will be immediately reinforced with the right answers. Students will be able to drag to rearrange, tap to simplify, draw lines to eliminate identical terms, easily switch between lessons and randomly generated practice problems. They will be able to create your own problems to solve! Current material covers: Simplification, Like Terms, Commutativity, Order of Operations, Factorization, Prime Numbers, Elimination, Isolation, Variables, Basic Equations, Distribution, and Factoring Out.

 Essentially, they will be supported through their weakness, and be forced to physically make the solutions work.

Students view the multiple ways problems are orientated and can work to create their own solutions to check whether their work is correct or not. Essentially, they learn by doing.

Here is a link to my  Lesson Plan On google documents.