Using Technology to Differentiate Instruction
Lesson Plan Outline
1. Lesson Title: Learning & Tracking
Math Facts
2. Date of Implementation: Throughout the school year
using math facts for addition,
subtraction, & multiplication
3. Lesson Author(s): Alton Mann, Jr.
4. Subject Area(s): Math
5. Grade Level: Three
(but could be used in all grade levels that use math
timed tests)
6. Approximate Time Needed: Learning/practicing math facts (1-3 weeks)
Tracking math facts (2-4 hours)
7. PA Content Standard(s): 2.1.3 – Numbers, Number Systems, & Number
Relationships
2.2.3 – Computation & Estimation
8. Objectives/Lesson Outcomes: Students will practice and learn their math facts
for addition, subtraction, and multiplication by using flash cards and some computer software programs. Students will then be given timed tests for each respective operation. Students will be rated as “proficient” if they consistently achieve a score of 90% or better in 10 minutes or less. Students will be rated “advanced achievement” if they consistently achieve a score of 95% or better in 5 minutes or less. Teachers will track the student timed tests given using the excel program to help determine “proficiency” and “advanced achievement” for students. Teachers can color code the results: for example – red could mean a possible problem, yellow could mean student is proficient, and blue could mean the student is advanced.
9. Materials and Resources Required:
A. Technology (include location and equipment):
For learning & practicing math facts --- Student computers, portable
laptops, and/or computer lab; “Math Magician” software;
“First in Math” software
For teacher recordkeeping --- Teacher workstation computer and/or
home computer; flash drive for carrying information back and forth from school to home (if needed); “Excel” software
For student rewards for “proficiency” and “advanced achievement” ---
“Microsoft Publisher” software or similar program to create
award certificates
B. Printed Materials:
Student flash cards (especially for multiplication facts); 100-charts;
timed tests for each operation (i.e.: addition, subtraction, &
multiplication)
C. Other Supplies:
Other rewards such as stickers and/or treats as the teacher feels
appropriate for each respective timed test as well as at the end
of the testing periods
10. Lesson Procedures:
1. Discuss each respective operation (i.e.: addition, subtraction,
multiplication) with students.
2. Pass out any necessary materials to help students learn the facts for each
operation. Examples of resources that can be used are flash cards so
that students can learn and practice the facts or 100-charts so students
can determine “patterns” while learning and practicing their facts.
3. Have students learn and practice the facts for each operation. Students
can use the flash cards mentioned, the 100-chart, AND use some of the
computer software available to them in school and at home. Some of
this software includes “Math Magician” and “First in Math”.
4. The teacher should discuss the importance of learning and practicing
math facts with his or her students. The teacher should also discuss
what students will need to do in order to be considered “proficient” or
“advanced achievement” before the actual testing has begun. I find
that a promise of a special incentive/reward for those students who
earn “advanced achievement” can really make a difference in students
trying their best to learn their math facts.
5. Once students have practiced their facts for each respective operation for a
pre-determined period of time (possibly 1-2 weeks), students will be given timed tests for the facts for that operation. About 5 timed tests would be most appropriate for determining student mastery of the facts. The timed tests should be given on different days, letting students know when they will be administered to alleviate some of the surprise and stress that many times comes with timed tests.
6. After the timed tests are given, the teacher should record the time it took to
complete the test and the score at the top of each student’s test. The
timed tests should be corrected and returned as soon as possible, as
students need to see in a timely manner how well they are doing and
what they will still need to do in order to earn “proficiency” or
“advanced achievement” status.
7. The teacher should also record the times and scores on an excel
spreadsheet so that student progress can be monitored and easily
shared. This color-coded spreadsheet will also help the teacher
quickly identify those students who are having difficulty learning their
facts, those who are proficient at learning their facts, and those
students who are advanced in learning their math facts. Each time a
student takes a timed test, the results should be recorded on the excel
spreadsheet.
8. At the end of the testing period for each operation, rewards and certificates
should be given to those students earning “proficiency” and
“advanced achievement”. The teacher can then use the excel
spreadsheet and its contents for reporting information - successes
and/or failures - on the student report card.
11. Modifications for Differentiated Instruction:
A. Remediation:
Students who need remediation to be successful in learning their math
facts can continue to use the “Math Magician” software or another
acceptable software program as well as their math flash cards to
practice their facts.
B. Enrichment:
Students who have demonstrated “advanced achievement” in learning
their math facts can move onto the “First in Math” software to further
enrich their math skills/number sense while continuing to practice
their facts.
12. Student Assessment:
Student timed tests for each respective operation (at least 5 tests each)