{"id":6331,"date":"2010-04-01T14:20:16","date_gmt":"2010-04-01T04:20:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.classroomprofessor.com\/?p=6"},"modified":"2010-04-01T14:20:16","modified_gmt":"2010-04-01T04:20:16","slug":"teaching-a-great-math-lesson-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/profpete.com\/blog\/2010\/04\/01\/teaching-a-great-math-lesson-1\/","title":{"rendered":"Teaching a Great Math Lesson Part 1: Capture Students’ Attention!"},"content":{"rendered":"

Great Math Lesson Series:<\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n\n
Phase I<\/strong><\/td>\nPhase II<\/strong><\/td>\nPhase III<\/strong><\/td>\nPhase IV<\/strong><\/td>\nPhase V<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Introduce Stimulus<\/td>\nWhole-class Activity<\/a><\/td>\nProblem Solving<\/a><\/td>\nSynthesis & Reinforcement<\/a><\/td>\nRevision & Recap<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

This is the first of a five-part series on how to teach a great mathematics lesson, using a simple, purposeful template that can be adapted for any math topic and any age level.<\/p>\n

First Phase: Introduce a Stimulus<\/span><\/h2>\n

Lots of math lessons fall down in the first ten seconds: \u201cWho can tell me what \u2018ratios\u2019 are?\u201d Seriously, which kid or teenager is going to want to answer such a question? Later in the lesson, there will be time for lots of questions. But ask such a question in the first few seconds? Never.<\/p>\n

You know what they say about first impressions? You don\u2019t get a second chance to make one. Well, it\u2019s the same with teaching. I remember starting a lesson when I was a student teacher, saying \u201cI\u2019m now going to teach you about \u2018protecting the environment\u2019\u201d, or some such thing. The children were polite enough not to groan out loud, but I could see the reactions immediately on their faces: Who wants to learn about THAT?<\/p>\n

\"Measurement<\/p>\n

So, what should a teacher do?<\/p>\n

Start with something interesting, exciting, unusual, unexpected, surprising, creative or enticing \u2013 which is connected with today\u2019s math topic. Such as:<\/p>\n