Steven Bambauer

Tiered Vocabulary Activity

MAT671 Applied Best Practice Strategies in Classroom Management

Professor Karl Walker

July 8, 2016

1. Content Standards
9th Grade Algebra 1

Common Core Concepts:

Graphing Functions, Identifying Functions

2. Reading

Big Ideas Math Algebra 1, A Common Core Curriculum

Chapter 3 Section 1 Graphing Linear Functions p.103-107

3. Vocabulary List

Tier 2 (words that students should already know from previous sections)

Ordered pair
Mapping diagram
X-value
Y-value

Tier 3 (new words that students will learn specifically for this section)

Relation
Function
Domain
Range
Independent variable
Dependent variable

4. Lesson Plan

Objectives:

The specific academic learning outcomes of this lesson are for students to be

able to:
 Determine whether relations are functions
Find the domain and range of a function
Identify the independent and dependent variables of functions

Materials:

Smartboard
Textbook
Handouts (graphic organizer, vocabulary practice)
Pencil

Instructional Activities:

The lesson will begin with an introduction to the new content standard, and

communication of the specific learning objectives to be achieved by the end.

Next, students will independently read the four pages out of the textbook. I

will then use the smartboard to provide a detailed summary of the section on

functions. During the lecture students will be following along with the graphic

organizer provided, and fill in key ideas, terms, and definitions.

Practice:

Students will work in pairs with the person in the row next to them to

complete the vocabulary worksheet. Each new vocabulary term will be listed

on the worksheet with two spaces below each to provide definitions. As a

pair, they will discuss and provide the most accurate definition for each term

without using the book or their notes, only what they remember from the

reading and the lecture. Once they have provided a definition for each term,
they will then have time to go back and check the definitions they came up

with. Using the book and their notes they will then check, and if needed, add

to or write the correct definition on the second line provided. We will then

review the correct definition for each term as a class.

Assessment:

During this lesson there will be several forms of formal and informal

assessment. Throughout instruction, lecture, and activity I will check for

understanding by asking probing questions, and answering questions that

students ask while I circulate the room observing. There will be a homework

assignment from this section of the book, that will have students practice

determining whether relations are functions, finding the domain and range of

functions, and identifying the independent and dependent variables of

functions. This will be corrected and collected at the start of the next class

period. A formal assessment will be given at the end of the week in the form

if a mid-chapter quiz. It will cover the learning objectives from this lesson, as

well as the next two lessons. This will be an important indicator of students

understanding of the vocabulary and other content of this lesson, and if they

are ready to move on to the remaining sections before the end of chapter

test.

Accommodation:

Several accommodations will be made for the lesson and activity. There are

multiple delivery methods used for the content on functions, including audio,
visual, and written. I also provided graphic organizers for the class, which is

something that I normally use for focus students and bottom one third

students in order to help them take notes and record key concepts. I feel that

they will benefit all students because this section is heavy on very important

vocabulary that will be used in the entire chapter. I also have made a class

seating chart that puts focus students and bottom one third students next to

top third students. This will allow struggling students to work with someone

that can help them during partner or group activities, and give advanced

learners an opportunity to help others and self and co-teach classmates

when appropriate. During the activity I also make sure to check on the

students who I feel may need help, and guide them in the right direction to

completing their task if necessary.

Reflection:

This Content Standard of Functions works very well for incorporating

vocabulary activities into the lesson. Not many Math lessons rely more on

terms than numbers or expressions/equations. The specific learning

objectives of this lesson rely on the student having a clear understanding of

the definition of new vocabulary terms. In order to determine if relations are

functions students must know the definition of what a relation is, and also

the definition of what a function in. Students must know the specific

definitions of domain and range in order to find those characteristics for

given functions. Lastly, students must know the definitions for dependent

and independent variables so they can identify them for given functions. I
have taught this content standard before, but with a different incorporation

of the vocabulary. There was not a specific activity to practice the vocabulary

together in class, they only defined and highlighted the terms in their

graphic organizers. If I teach this class again, and am able to do this lesson a

second time, I will have students students complete definitions in the graphic

organizer and practice them with a partner in class. I think this will be

beneficial for students because these terms are very important, and will be

used throughout the remaining six sections of this chapter, and having an

extra chance to practice them in class will set them up for success.