1. Teaching and the changing context of the learning environment:
Teaching and the changing context of the learning environment: Varied teaching strategies
While studying in the Faculty of Education at York, I have had the opportunity to develop multiple teaching strategies in order to teach ALL children. Based on the knowledge of multiple intelligences, I have come to recognize that students are able to learn in many different ways. It is my believe that teachers must take it upon themselves to teach with a variety of approaches in order to help every student learn.
The following are various lessons I have taught using a variety of teaching strategies
Team teaching with another student-teacher at St. Alfred C.E.S.
Geometry Unit – Grade 5 – 3D Geometry
Use of manipulatives at St. Alfred C.E.S.
Mathematics Unit – Grade 4/5 – Probability
Taught with cooperative learning at W. H. Day E.S.
Mathematics Unit – Grade 8 – Data Management
Example provided

2. Short Description of Activity
The following is a Mathematics Probability Unit that I organized and taught…
Date/Time
Title of Lesson
Objective of Lesson
(Overall)
Short Description of Activity
Content to be Covered
(Specific)
Materials (Baskets)
Assessment
Monday, March 19
“Risky Allowance”
To “pose and solve simple probability problems, and solve them by conducting probability experiments and selecting appropriate methods of recording the results”
Introduction Lesson: Spinners and coins
Risk taking Problem
Activate Prior Knowledge (Graphs, Experiment, Predict, Communicate)
Large chart paper
Markers
Spinners
Paper clips
Coins
Calculators
- PRESENTATION
- GROUP WORK
- Display student work
-Extension Exercise
(16 weeks charts, create another plan)
Monday, March 26
“What are the chances?”
To understand the probability line and
To “predict the results of a simple probability experiment, then conduct the experiment and compare the prediction to the results”
Chances: Balls in Bag
Understand that probability is the likelihood that something will happen
Communicate and compare probabilities with the probability line
“Probability Lines” (Ch.1 – Gr.4)
“Using Probability Language” ( Ch. 1 – Gr. 5)
Beads
Boxes/Bags
Data Record Sheet
4 blue balls, 2 red balls, 2 yellow balls, 1 pink ball
- OBSERVATIONS of Math Language
- Practice at home: “probability line” ex.
Gr. 4 pg 117
Gr. 5 pg 117
Monday, April 2
“What if ?…”
To conduct probability experiments in order to understand the nature of prediction and
Predicting/Experimenting: Flip Coin
To “predict the frequency of an outcome in a simple probability experiment, explaining their reasoning; conduct the experiment; and compare the result with the prediction” and
To “determine, through investigation, how the number of repetitions of a probability experiment can affect the conclusions drawn”
“Theoretical vs. Experimental Probability”
“Experiments with Spinners” (Ch.2 – Gr. 4)
“Making Predictions” (Ch. 3 – Gr. 4)
“Predicting Probabilities” (Ch. 2 – Gr. 5)
Coins (1,5,10,25,1.00, 2.00)
T-Chart
Secret Ballot for each student
QUIZ
Grade 4 pg. 364 # 1,2,4
Grade 5 pg. 366 # 1,2,3
- Practice at home:
“Lucky Guess?”
Gr. 4 pg
Gr. 5 pg. 118
Wednesday, April 11
“Count ‘em up”
To understand that probabilities rely on the fact that there are a certain amount of possible outcomes and
To “represent, using a common fraction, the probability that an event will occur in simple games and probability experiments”
All Possibilities: Tree Diagrams
To “determine and represent all the possible outcomes in a simple probability experiment”
(And to prepare “representing, using a common fraction, the probability that an event will occur in simple games and probability experiments)
“Solve Problems using Tree Diagrams”(Ch.6–Gr.4)
“Using Tree Diagrams” (Ch. 5 – Gr. 5)
“Solve Problems by considering all possibilities (Ch. 6 – Gr. 5)
Coin Toss Trio Activity
Coins for each student (penny, dime, nickel)
- OBSERVATIONS
GROUP PROJECT “Mix and Match”
Friday, April 13
“Piece of Cake”
To “represent, using a common fraction, the probability that an event will occur in simple games and probability experiments”
Probability as Fractions: Rolling Dice
To “represent, using a common fraction, the probability that an event will occur in simple games and probability experiments
(And practice from last week how to “determine and represent all the possible outcomes in a simple probability experiment”)
“Probability as Fractions” (Ch. 3 – Gr. 5)
Large Foam Dice
Small dice
Chart Paper
6 Slips of paper bag
“The Biggest Drop” Problem
“Pick a Pair” using the “Press Your Luck” books
- OBSERVATION
The students may choose to complete any of the activities in the “Press Your Luck” book in order to practice their probability skills
Gr. 4 p.122
Gr. 5 p. 119, 121
Monday, April 16
Review for test
Students get into pairs/groups and experiment with the different activities and games provided around the classroom
“Push Your Luck” Activity Books
Activity games
Bags, Dice, Paper, Coins, Spinners, Markers
Game pieces
Practice at home textbook and workbook examples provided

3. The following link connects to an example of a lesson I created for the probability unit for the grade 4/5 class at St. Alfred.
The lesson was called
“Count ‘em up”
Here is the evaluation completed by my Professor, Carol Danbrook, when she came to observe me teach the “Count ‘em up” lesson