Summary
This lesson incorporates three 6th grade math SOLs into one computer-based project: SOL6.11 coordinate planes, 6.12 congruent figures, and 6.13 quadrilaterals. The students designed a neighborhood on a coordinate grid, while following specific guidelines set for their buildings’ shapes and placement. They wrote a 5 sentence advertisement to advocate for their particular neighborhood design. The students must have prior knowledge of how to plot and locate points on a coordinate grid, what the term “congruent” means, and how to correctly identify and label various quadrilaterals to complete the math requirements. This project required the students to become familiar with, and successfully utilize, ActiveInspire, Google Docs, School space, and Internet search engines. Their neighborhood design and Google Doc submissions were graded using a rubric.
TIPC Ratings
Students were given the opportunity to create and complete their own research techniques without being modeled by the teachers. Once they have completed their own independent research, they have to cite all websites used on their flipchart and use that information to complete their design project.
The students are not divided into pre-selected groups. They must choose their own partners and establish group norms, as well as roles. When students are not in class, they collaborated using SchoolSpace discussion boards and all contribute to the shared Google doc.
This project allows students to answer higher order questions. It also allows them to elaborate on problem solving and apply that information to justify their decision making. They addressed an authentic task, using mathematics concepts in a real world application.
Once students have designed and finished their customized projects, they have created meaningful, original work while working within the parameters of the assignment.
Student Artifact
Download Files
- Lesson Plan
- Teacher Flipchart (ActivInspire)
- Student Sample
- Rubric
