Teacher: Taryn Geroche

Date: 04/18

School: Conrad Ball Middle School

Grade Level: 6

Title: Introduction and Exploration

Content Area: Math

Lesson #:_5_ of _11_

Content Standard(s) addressed by this lesson:

CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.7.SP.A.2
Use data from a random sample to draw inferences about a population with an unknown characteristic of
interest. Generate multiple samples (or simulated samples) of the same size to gauge the variation in
estimates or predictions.
Objective:

Make inferences about the population based on the statistics discovered about a sample.
Critique possible samples to determine the best, most plausible samples to survey in order to represent the
population.
Survey peers to collect data, either in person or using an online survey.
Write coherently about project findings and reflections.
Compare various sets of data to find a common trend.
Synthesize information from data analysis to work toward meeting a goal.
Learning Target:
I can: describe the steps I will need to go through to complete the project.
This means: I am listening and asking questions while the project is explained.
List of Assessments:
Formative: Class goes over the project directions together
Summative: Presentation and completed project

Planned Lesson Activities

Name and Purpose
of Lesson

Approx. Time and

Materials

Introduction and Exploration

The purpose of this lesson is to familiarize students with the process they
will be working through to complete the project, and with the Figure app
that they will be using to create their songs.
Approximate Time: 1 day = 70 min
Materials: Do Now sheets and flipchart, Quotes flipchart, Directions
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papers for students, iPads, headphones, Figure app

Do Now

Students explored each of these vocabulary terms last class, so completing

this matching will jog their memories so that they are ready for when the
teacher uses these terms when describing the project.

Procedures

Do Now: 15 min
Students know to start the Do Now as soon as class starts. Teacher lets
students work for about 10 minutes, then goes over the answers with the
class, allowing students to share their answers.
Quotes: 15 min
Dim the lights and let students know that theyre going to be doing an
activity that is kind of serious. Teacher shows two quotes on the
whiteboard, one at a time. For each quote, students take a minute or two
and silently write down their thoughts about the quote, any connections
they made, etc. Then a few students are called on to share their thoughts
with the class. After both quotes have been shared, teacher tells students
that this project is going to involve collaboration and constructive
criticism of others, so we have to remember these quotes and be
considerate to one another.

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Directions: 20 min
Students follow along as teacher reviews everything on the Directions
paper, explaining the premise and expectations for the project. Students
are encouraged to ask questions to make sure they truly understand.
Students will be given a chance at the end of the directions time to find a
partner that they want to do the project with, if desired.
Exploration Time: 15 min
Students are introduced to the app Figure and teacher makes sure that
every student has the app. Students have this time to explore the app and
see what all they can find that they are able to do with it. The students
should become familiar with all of the mechanics of the app fairly quickly.
Closure: 5 min
Students share out their discoveries about Figure.

Closure

For the closure, the class will all come back together as a group, and
students will share out the discoveries they made about Figure. The app is
fairly simple to use, but there are a lot of hidden features that students will
hopefully find and share with the class. Playing with Figure will get the
students excited about starting the project.

Differentiation

Students will be allowed to choose whether they want to work alone or

with a partner. Everyone can work with Figure at a level at which they
are comfortable those who feel confident with music can really get
nuances with their sound, while others can just mess around with the app
and still come up with a cool song. This exploration day should help to
calm nerves for those who are not typically musically inclined.

Management

Today students should be quiet while pondering the quotes, but I will
move around the room to make sure that everyone is focused. While I
give directions the students should know to be listening, and if we have
issues then Ill go back to looking at classroom expectations. During the
exploration it will likely get a bit loud, but I will keep everyone in their
own seats to lower the volume, and I will count down from five to get the
class attention after letting them work together. They all know that by
the time I reach zero they should be quiet with their eyes on me.

Reflection
I really enjoyed sharing these quotes with my students. They were able to stay calm and
serious and focused as we discussed these important life topics, and I think thats awesome to
see. It was so important to start off this project with the right mental attitude, and I think this
helped us to get there. Even though it may not have directly translated into the objectives or
math standards for the day, this day was immensely important for setting up the next two weeks
of classwork. In the future I would try to find a way to make the directions more engaging,
because I think I started to lose a few people, even though it was really important information.

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