1. DO NOW – 2/10/16 What are the “five W’s”? Why are they important?
Write answers to the following questions in your CN:
What are the “five W’s”? Why are they important?
2) From the essay, “The Math Instinct” who is Ahmed, and why is he so interesting?

2. Topic / Objective & Essential Question
1) To analyze Devlin’s purpose in writing “The Math Instinct”
Essential Question:
1) Why does Devlin distinguish between an instinctual act and an act of conscious mental activity?

3. Announcements 1) Bring your Literature Circle books on Friday.
2) Complete the MRS (Multiple Role Sheet) by Friday.

4. TURN AND TALK (1 min)
Name five examples of involuntary activities (hint: things you don’t have to think about)?

5. Our Unit Our unit’s theme is: “How We See Things”
“Our view of the world depends not only on our five senses but also on technology and surprising insights”

6. “The Math Instinct” by Keith Devlin
This is an informational essay – not a work of fiction or poetry.
Informational texts ask us to consider what claim or central ideas is the author trying to communicate.

7. Read Together – page 183 in “Collections”
With any informational text, consider the 5 W’s:
Who is involved?
What happened?
When and where did it take place?
How did it happen?
Why is this important?

8. “The Math Instinct” (5 minutes in pairs)
Who is involved in this text?
A: The writer discusses the research by scientists Wehner and Srinivasan on “Ahmed”.

9. “The Math Instinct” (5 minutes in pairs)
2) What happened in this text?
A: Devlin is interested in exploring how Ahmed is able to navigate the desert with great precision. He can search for food far away from his home and return without any aids.

10. Where and When?
A: Devlin refers to research that was done in 1981, which might call contemporary.
The “Tunisian” desert is an important location because Amhed lives there and it’s a harsh environment, making Ahmed’s abilities that much more amazing.

11. Read page 185
As we read, be on the look out for ideas related to these questions:
Q: How is Ahmed able to navigate the desert?
Q: Why is Ahmed’s example important for Devlin?

12. Take 5 minutes with a partner
Answer these questions in your CN:
Q: How is Ahmed able to navigate the desert?
Q: Why is Ahmed’s example important for Devlin?

13. How’s and Why’s 4) How is Ahmed able to navigate the desert?
A: As Devlin notes, Ahmed calculates the distance of his journey through a “counting” of his steps.

14. How’s and Why’s 5) Why is Ahmed’s example important for Devlin?
A: It’s an example of how a simple creature, like an ant, can perform something complex, like math, through its natural instincts.

15. EXIT TICKET WRITE YOUR ANSWER ON THE SCRAP PAPER:
Why does Devlin distinguish between an instinctual act and an act of conscious mental activity?