Teacher: Kim Zurich

Date: February 18, 2004

Subject: Algebra I                                       

Topic: Alge-Jeopardy

Instructional Objective(s)

-           Review of chapter 8 before test next week, using an Alge-Jeopardy computer game

Materials and Resources Needed

-         Computer, Alge-Jeopardy Power Point, chalkboard, chalk, groups

Motivation

-         Explain to students that were playing a game today in groups to review for the test. (Emphasize that it can be fun, if we all follow the rules)

Procedures

1. First split up students into their groups (already planned out on board)
2. Go over the rules with the students
   1. Each group will have a turn to pick a category, from the computer game already made up, then all the groups will have to pick one person from their group to go up to the board and solve the problem
   2. I read out the question and whoever gets the answer right gets the points assigned to that problem.  If they were the group that picked that category and got the answer right, they get double points.  If the person from the group doesn't solve the answer, the group doesn't get any points that time.
   3. No talking or shouting out during the game, if you do, you get points deducted from your score
   4. Every person from the group has to go up to the board at least once
   5. The group at the end with the most points is the winning group, and they get a choice of a candy bar, free no homework for one night or 2 points on their next test
3. Start the game
4. Let the game go until the last ten minutes of class
5. End game, give out prizes to the winners
6. Give them a review sheet to take home with them for homework

Assignment

-         Review sheet that covers the material on the test

Reflection on Alge-Jeopardy Computer Lesson Plan 

      This lesson on the Alge-Jeopardy represents the initial effort taken to integrate technology into the mathematics classroom.  The class started off with the teacher going over the rules of the game to the students.  The teacher then showed the students the game on the projector from the computer and explained how they were going to play.  Students were engaged with their groups figuring out the questions to pick when it was their turn.  Students at the board solved the problems without looking at others work.  The class ran well and the students seemed to review the topic well.

    Students seemed to like it the game and reviewed a great deal from it.  At first they were a little hesitant on going up to the board, but it didn't take long for them to warm up and get into it.  What I found surprising was that so few students chose the category on miscellaneous trivia.  Where this was the easiest topic, students were motivated to go for the most challenging math questions because they could get the most points from them.  Students seemed to like the competition and quickly saw that the hardest problems provided them with the best chance of winning. 

    From my perspective as a teacher, my role is to stimulate students to learn and grow.  If they can have fun while learning, everyone wins.  Today, I'm pleased to say students learned and improved their math skills while having fun.  Since this lesson went well, I'm excited to use it again in other classes to review for tests and quizzes.