Jessica Wells

EDP 621, SUMMER I, 2002

Cooperative Lesson for Second Grade

Title: Fractions are Fun!

Goal: The students will demonstrate their understanding of fractions by working cooperatively in small groups.

Abstract: The key elements that are focused on in this lesson are communication, social skills, and working together.

Materials: construction paper, scissors, glue, markers, a large precut 12’’ circle for each group (poster board works well), sentence strips

Procedure:

1. Divide the class into groups of 4 using heterogeneous grouping.

2. Explain the task at hand- creating a fractional pizza out of paper. Each group will receive a precut circle (12’’) and must decide how to make the pizza look as though it is cut into equal slices (number of slices is determined by the fraction each group was given-fourths, thirds, halves, etc.) The group must decide what toppings will be on the pizza and how to create the toppings using construction paper, scissors and glue (one topping per slice). Once the pizza is created, the group is given sentence strips and needs to decide what should be written on the strips (it must include the fraction they used written in words and numbers and the what the were toppings on each slice. For example, “Our pizza is cut into fourths. Our toppings are cheese, pepperoni, onions, and green peppers. Each slice is ¼ of the whole pizza”). Finally each group will present their pizza to the class and explain how they worked as a group to successfully complete the project.

Discussion:

1. What role did you play in your group? How did you decide on this role?

2. What part of this task was the most difficult? Why?

3. What part of this task was the easiest? Why?

4. Is there anything about this activity that you would change? What/why?

5. Would you like to do an activity like this again? Why or why not?

Strategies Employed: Decision-making, writing, following directions

Positive Interdependence: Each group has a common goal of working in a cooperative group to create a fractional pizza using the materials provided.

Heterogeneous Grouping: Hand each student an index card. Each index card will have a form of a fraction on it (one-fourth, ¼, a picture of one-fourth). Explain to the students that they are to walk around the room silently and try to find the other members of their group that have cards with the same fraction as theirs. Each group has a different fraction: 1/2, 1/3,1/4, and 1/5.

Individual accountability: Each student must be an active participant in the small groups. I will be circulating and asking each group questions. While presenting their completed project, each member needs to be prepared to answer questions that I ask. A quiz on fractions will follow this lesson and the students will take the quiz independently.

Face-to-Face Interaction: Students work cooperatively in small groups within the classroom. Each group has a work space created by several desks together forming a table.

Social Skills: Students must listen to each other, take turns, negotiate, make a plan, and work cooperatively to complete the task.

Processing: Students will reflect on this lesson through a class discussion. We will discuss the strengths/weaknesses and likes/dislikes of the activity.

Evaluation: Students are assessed on their ability to work together and to complete the assignment by following directions. The students will share their final product with the class and should be able to explain how they worked together to accomplish the assignment. A quiz on fractions will follow this activity and I will be assessing their knowledge on this concept.