4. Read the passage that follows and
find the main idea.
You only have 20 seconds.
Let’s get started...
5. With hocked gems financing him, our hero bravely
defied all scornful laughter that tried to prevent his
scheme. “Your eyes have deceived” he said. “An
egg not a table correctly typifies this unexplored
realm.” Now three sturdy sisters sought proof.
Forging along sometimes through calm vastness,
yet more often over turbulent peaks and valleys.
Days became weeks as many doubters spread
fearful rumors about the edge. At last from
somewhere, welcomed winged creatures
appeared signifying success.
8. With hocked gems financing him, our hero bravely
defied all scornful laughter that tried to prevent his
scheme. “Your eyes have deceived” he said. “An
egg not a table correctly typifies this unexplored
realm.” Now three sturdy sisters sought proof.
Forging along sometimes through calm vastness,
yet more often over turbulent peaks and valleys.
Days became weeks as many doubters spread
fearful rumors about the edge. At last from
somewhere, welcomed winged creatures
appeared signifying success.
10. Anatomy of a Great Lesson
Principle #1 of 4:
Tap Background Knowledge
Engage students by allowing them to explore what
they already know about a topic
Excite students for learning by validating their
existing knowledge
12. Reading Exercise
1. Think about U.S. cultural traditions
- things that are distinctly
“American.”
1. Share with your shoulder partner.
13. Reading Exercise
Read “The Sacred Rac” bit.ly/EEsacred
a. Stop after each paragraph
a. Write down two words that summarize what
you read. I provided some guidelines for
you.
a. Share with your partner before reading the
next paragraph.
14. Anatomy of a Great Lesson
Principle #2 of 4:
Actively Engage continued
● Engage students by having them “do” something
with the content as they go.
● Excite students by providing a safe environment
where students can “try out” their learning
without fear of being “hurt.”
They may even create some meaning together
that they didn’t get on their own.
16. But what about Math?
Do these first two principles even apply
to math?
What are some ways we can engage
students in math?
Dan Meyer - Math needs a makeover
Eric Mazur - Twilight of the lecture
Engaged teaching
17. Math Exercise - How can we engage
students in this problem?
B
A
C
X
W
Y What is the area of
the shaded region?
Z4 inches
How would you engage
students in this problem?
18. Math Exercise - here’s one path
1. Find someone who had a different
answer from you.
1. Convince him or her that your answer is
the best answer.
19. What if we made it more real?
What is the area of the parts
that will be in the shade?
Would this problem be more engaging?
Why? Why not?
20. Anatomy of a Great Lesson
Principle #2 of 4 (ctd.):
Actively Engage Students in the material
Engage students by providing less information and
being less helpful (rely on background
knowledge).
Excite students by allowing them to teach each
other and find multiple paths to the correct
answer.
22. Memory Exercise: Who’s smarter?
Two Groups:
1. Virginians
2. Everyone else
Follow my directions - No Cheating
23. Memory Exercise: Who’s smarter?
Virginians, close your eyes.
Everyone else, keep your eyes open.
You have 15 seconds to memorize as
many words as possible
24. Memory Exercise - Everyone else
wolf car
seal grass
tree whale
boat fish
moose truck
plane rose
flower bear
deer dolphin
25. Memory Exercise: Who’s smarter?
Write down all the words you can
remember.
Don’t let the Virginians see!
26. Memory Exercise: Who’s smarter?
Virginians, keep your eyes open.
Everyone else, close your eyes.
You’ll have 15 seconds to memorize as
many words as possible
27. Memory Exercise - Virginians
wolf
bear
deer
moose
tree
flower
grass
rose
seal
whale
dolphin
fish
boat
truck
plane
car
28. Memory Exercise: Who’s smarter?
Write down all the words you can
remember.
Count up all your correct answers.
Who’s smarter? Why?
29. Memory Exercise - Virginians
wolf
bear
deer
moose
tree
flower
grass
rose
seal
whale
dolphin
fish
boat
truck
plane
car
30. Anatomy of a Great Lesson
Principle #3 of 4:
Provide Organization
Engage students by organizing information in a
way that makes it easy to use.
Excite students by providing a structure that lets
them clearly see connections in the information.
33. Reflection Exercise
● List several (or at least 1) things
you know now that you didn’t
know before?
● How will you modify one of your
existing lesson based on what
you know now?
34. Anatomy of a Great Lesson
Principle #4 of 4:
Reflection
Engage students by having them reflect on where
they started compared to where they are now.
Ask for practical new knowledge.
Excite students by having them look at how much
they have grown. Ask them to apply what they
have learned.
35. Anatomy of a Great Lesson
Principle 1: Tap Background Knowledge
Principle 2: Actively Engage Students
Principle 3: Organize the Information
Principle 4: Reflection
37. But what about Math?
Resources
Dan Meyer -
http://www.ted.com/talks/dan_meyer_math_curriculum_makeover?language=en#t-333253
Eric Mazur -
http://harvardmagazine.com/2012/03/twilight-of-the-lecture
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wont2v_LZ1E&feature=youtu.be