Vernon Myers II visited three classrooms to demonstrate uses of educational technology. In a 4th grade class, students used an ELMO and interactive whiteboard to measure objects to the nearest 1/4 inch. In an afterschool math program, students used an online game to solve puzzles involving algebraic expressions and measurement equivalencies. In a 1st grade class, an ELMO and whiteboard were used to demonstrate geometric transformations like slides, flips and turns. The specialist found the ELMO useful for engaging students but wished it had wireless capabilities and recording functions.

1. By: Vernon Myers II
Math Specialist

2. Our Train Made Stops At:
• Measurement in 4th Grade
• Equivalency with the Math Group
• Transformations in 1st Grade

3. Objectives/Standards
• Math Group
– Evaluate algebraic expression in order to solve an equation through an
interactive video game.
• Technology Standard: 7.3.A.1.b. Use teacher- selected, technology tools that
enhance learning
• First Grade
– Recognize a transformation in order to identify and demonstrate
slides, flips, and turns
• Technology Standard: 1.3.A.1.a. Explore and use teacher selected technology
tools, including software and hardware, to learn new content or reinforce skills
• Fourth Grade
– Read customary measurement units in order to measure the length of
objects to the nearest ¼ inch
• Technology Standard: 4.4.A.1.a. Explore and use teacher selected technology
tools, including software and hardware, to learn new content or reinforce skills

4. First Stop: 4th Grade
In Ms. Ray’s class, we utilized the ELMO and the
Interwrite Board to review with students how to
measure objects to the nearest ¼ of an inch.

5. Ms. Ray wrote this
enrichment activity for
the students to
complete.

6. Each students
wrote their
response on the
board.

7. One of the students uses
the ELMO to write their
response on the paper.

8. Each student
came to the
board to show
how they arrive at
the answer.

10. In our evaluation, I copy and paste two clip arts to
allow the students come up and determine the
measurement of the objects.

12. Second Stop: Math Club

13. Lure of the Labyrinth is a digital game for middle-school pre-algebra
students. It includes a wealth of intriguing math-based puzzles wrapped
into an exciting narrative game in which students work to find their lost pet
- and save the world from monsters! Linked to both national and state
mathematics standards, the game gives students a chance to actually
think like mathematicians.
All eight members of our math group were given a username and a
password to participate in this game. In this lesson, we exposed our
students to equivalency by having them complete a puzzle. They had to
follow a recipe by combining the correct amounts of four different
ingredients. The three measuring cups provided may not match the
quantities specified in the recipe, so players must transfer the ingredients
between measuring cups, sometimes in multiple combinations, to obtain
the correct amounts to add to the mixture in the vat. Although our students
range from grades 4 – 6, we believe they have the potential of solving
these problems.

14. All of our math club members
receive an opportunity to play
the game together as a team,
before playing it on their own.

15. Last Stop: 1st Grade
In Mrs. Cutts’ class, we utilized the ELMO and the
Interwrite Board to review with students how to slide,
flip, and turn objects using shapes from PowerPoint.
We used the lesson from Tammy Worcheser’s book,
50 Ways to Use Math in PowerPoint.

16. Translation
Mrs. Cutts’ Class

17. Translation (Slides)
Each student and their teacher came to the
board and slide each object either up, down,
left, or right.

18. Rotation (Turn)
Each student and their teacher came to the
board and rotated each object to the right.

19. Reflect (Flip)
Each student and their teacher came to the
board and flipped each object horizontally.
We reminded students that when a object is
flipped to pay attention to its point.

20. turn Each student
slide was given a task
to either slide,
flip, or turn an
object.
flip slide

21. More Slides Please

22. Conclusion
• As the math specialist I gave my quot;Elmoquot; a tour of the Mighty Mustang Blvd
and visited three places. Our first stop was in Mrs. Ray's Fourth Grade
classroom. We reviewed how to measure objects to the nearest 1/4 of an
inch. Then, we visited the Mustang Math Crew, an afterschool program
that encouraged the students to see way math is utilized throughout our
world. We explore a new program that is being adopted in Maryland
Public Schools, The Lure of Labyrinth. Lastly, we visited Mrs. Cutts' First
Grade classroom. We reviewed how to slide, flip, and turn objects.
In all three experiences, I utilized the Elmo and the Interwrite Board. I used
the ELMO to capture pictures of students and the worksheets to be
displayed on the Interwrite Board. All of the teachers and students had an
opportunity to utilize the Elmo in some form (i.e., showing how to answer
the problem, doing guided practice, or encouraging students how to use
the device. I enjoyed using the program very much and sharing it with
other students. I just wish we could get rid of all of the cords we have to
use and have a way to use the Elmo as a recording device when students
are given a presentation to their classmates.