Daily Lesson Plans: Middle School
3. When all students have contributed to a story, the exercise is complete. Have each group nominate a reporter to read their story to the rest of the class.
Math
Students will investigate the concepts of range, mode and mean (as well as probability if time permits) via the game "Rock, Paper, Scissors".
Supplies
Overhead projector
Piece of transparency plastic to record data collected
Transparency pens
Piece of paper and pencil for each student
Directions
1. To prepare for the class, go to http://ofcn.org/cyber.serv/academy/ace/m... . In a typical class period, I only get through step 4 under "Activities & Procedures". Note that when it comes to asking students to predict the probability of specific outcomes, the answers to your questions are found in parentheses after each question.
2. Divide students into pairs, having them sit facing their partner.
2. Explain the assignment step by step, doing each task as time permits.
Social Studies
Students will test their US geography knowledge by playing "Who Wants to be a Geography Whiz?", in a forum similar to "Who Wants to Be A Millionaire?"
Supplies
A pack of small stickers (foil stars work great) and six to ten pieces of paper or index cards to use for prizes (players receive one star for each correct answer) Index cards on which you've written individual multiple choice questions about geography; choose either local, national, continents, or the world based on student learning levels. If you don't know, I'd stick with state/provincial or national. The best site I've found for US geography trivia is http://www.50states.com/facts/ . I compiled a list of questions that were a combination of things they should know or be learning (such as state capitals) and just oddball facts that were either funny or interesting to me, tossing in some related specifically to sports, arts, etc.
Alternative: If you have a long class or a multi-day assignment, you could have students research and prepare the questions themselves. Collect the index cards they've completed to use later in the hour or the next day.
Directions
1. Draw one question and use it to determine which students will have an opportunity to play the game (think "fastest finger" round. I'd make it moderately easy--you want to be sure that you have 6-10 potential players selected, but not necessarily everyone in the class. Read the question, have students write their answer on their own paper; all students with the correct answer are potential players for the day's game.
2. Choose a number between 1 and
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