From: Amber Michaelsen <amberann@cc.usu.edu>
Date: July 7, 2004 8:45:42 PM MDT
To: jbarta@cc.usu.edu
Subject: Math Lesson Evaluation

Math Lesson Evaluation for Virtual Beadloom (4th grade)

Summary of lesson:
In class we have been working on problem solving with math tables, graphs, and
charts.  This was a perfect opportunity for me to introduce the virtual bead
loom.  After we had discussed coordinates and the Cartesian coordinate system,
I decided it would be a great experience to apply what we had learned using
Native American beadwork.  I made sure that they all had a basic understanding
of the coordinate system and would be able to complete the activity. Before
going to the computer lab, I explained what we would be doing and how this
system directly applied to Native American beadwork.  I had brought in a few
examples of beadwork that my great-grandfather had made to share as an
example.  I then discussed the program we would be working with and the steps
to creating our own virtual beadwork.  The students seemed to be very
interested and listened intently.

Flow of lesson:
After sitting down in the computer lab I wrote the web address on the white
board and instructed them to enter it into their address boxes.  This took
time to get everyone on the page and move on.  I then took them to the virtual
bead loom and allowed them to experiment with numbers to create their own
patterns.  I suggested they try to make a design and not just random beads.
They took the whole time to come up with some pretty neat patterns.  I allowed
them to print them if they wanted to.  I think that the lesson went very well.
I believe that when you can apply math to real life situations it helps them
to understand it better.  The next day we took a test (one that we had taken
at the beginning of the school year) and the results were exciting. Most all
of the students had a good grasp on the coordinate system.  This was an
excellent activity and went very smoothly.

What worked well?
I believe the pre-lesson was a good idea.  I just know it would have been
chaos in the computer lab trying to explain the activity.  Also, showing
examples of actual beadwork was a big hit, that hooked the students right it.
Adaptations/Adjustments made:
I hadn�t planned on taking as much time to pull up the address on the
computers.  Roll with the punches, we finally got them all up and running and
continued with the lesson.

Identifying needs of students:
Obviously, since we were studying the coordinate system this activity was a
perfect one to tie it all in.  I�m just glad I knew about the virtual bead
loom program � it was perfect!

Benefit of using this activity in this setting:
All the students had access to a computer and could work on their own looms,
so that was a plus.  Also, this is migrant school, so integrating other
cultures and experiences is a great idea!

What will I change next time?
Next time I might explain a little more about what the buttons do in the
program.  It wasn�t a big problem but it would have made the computer time
more useful.  Another thing I would do is have the computer lab teacher be
pulling up Netscape and getting into the program before I brought my students
in.  This would have also allowed more time for exploration.

Personal reflection of session:
I�m glad I had the opportunity to work some Ethnomathematics into our unit.
It was an awesome experience for the students and myself.  They had a lot of
fun using math to construct very creative beadwork.  I could also assess who
understood coordinates and who needed extra help.  A lot of the students
commented about how smart Native Americans must be to figure out how to do
this, I thought that was funny.  If I had had more time I would have loved to
let them create real beadwork on the wooden looms.  I know they would have
really enjoyed that activity as well.  The virtual bead loom activity was
great, the lesson was a success, and this would be something that I would do
again in my own class!