MathUp THREE PART LESSON

Summary

In Ontario, teachers are implementing three-part math lessons to encourage student-led thinking. These lessons start with 'Minds On,' a brief five- to ten-minute segment that engages students and assesses their readiness. The 'Action' segment follows, where students tackle a problem, often collaboratively, to explore key concepts. In the 'Consolidation' phase, teachers guide students in sharing their work, highlighting essential ideas and addressing the lesson goals. A final 'Your Turn' component allows teachers to assess individual understanding, providing insights into each student’s grasp of the material and identifying areas for review.

Takeaways

• 🧠 Many teachers in Ontario are implementing three-part lessons to enhance student engagement in math.
• 🔄 Three-part lessons focus on shifting more of the thinking to students instead of just passive listening.
• 🚀 The first part, 'Minds On' or 'Getting Started,' is designed to engage students and prepare them for the lesson ahead.
• ⏱️ The 'Minds On' phase is usually brief, lasting around 5 to 10 minutes, and helps students get ready for the main problem-solving activity.
• 🤝 The second part, 'Action,' involves students working on a problem, often collaboratively, to explore key concepts of the lesson.
• 📝 The problems presented during the 'Action' phase are carefully chosen to align with the lesson's goals and objectives.
• 📊 The third part, 'Consolidation,' is where the teacher pulls out the essential understandings from the students' work to highlight the main lesson goals.
• ❓ Teachers pre-plan questions during the 'Consolidation' to ensure that the key ideas are effectively drawn out from the students’ problem-solving process.
• 📚 'Consolidation' is not just about sharing solutions but also about discussing and emphasizing the critical concepts of the lesson.
• 🔍 A fourth optional part, called 'Your Turn,' is used to assess whether students have grasped the lesson’s key concepts through follow-up questions.

Q & A

What is the purpose of the three-part lesson approach in Ontario math teaching?

The purpose of the three-part lesson is to encourage students to engage in more thinking and problem-solving, rather than just listening to the teacher. It promotes active participation and helps students grasp the essential concepts more deeply.

What are the three parts of a lesson according to this teaching model?

The three parts are 'Minds On' (or getting started), 'Action,' and 'Consolidation.' Each serves a specific purpose in engaging students and guiding them through a learning process.

What is the role of the 'Minds On' part of the lesson?

The 'Minds On' phase is designed to engage students, helping them mentally prepare for the main problem they will solve. It may also help the teacher assess the students' current level of understanding.

How long does the 'Minds On' section typically last?

The 'Minds On' section usually lasts about five to ten minutes, providing a quick and focused way to get students involved in the lesson.

What happens during the 'Action' part of the lesson?

In the 'Action' part, students are presented with a problem to solve, often working in groups. This problem is designed to help the teacher bring out the lesson goal during the next phase.

Why is the 'Action' part of the lesson important?

The 'Action' part is important because it engages students in active problem-solving and sets the stage for the teacher to draw out key ideas during the 'Consolidation' phase.

What is the main focus of the 'Consolidation' phase?

The 'Consolidation' phase focuses on extracting essential understandings and lesson goals from the students' work. It is not just about sharing work but about ensuring the key ideas of the lesson emerge.

How does the teacher prepare for the 'Consolidation' phase?

Teachers can pre-plan questions to ask during the 'Consolidation' to ensure that the key ideas and lesson goals emerge from the students' work.

What is the purpose of the 'Your Turn' part of the lesson?

The 'Your Turn' part provides an opportunity for students to answer questions that allow teachers to assess whether the students have understood the key concepts. It serves as an informal assessment tool for learning.

How does the three-part lesson approach support teachers in guiding student learning?

The approach helps teachers by providing a structured framework for engaging students, encouraging problem-solving, and using targeted questions to ensure understanding of the lesson goals.