An artifact that I have completed that is representative of meeting the ACEI standard is my math lesson plan on coordinate graphing, specifically graphing a parabola. I co-wrote and co-taught the lesson with a fellow Block 1 classmate as an assignment required to be completed for my EDU 373 class on teaching elementary mathematics.

The lesson plan is designed for ninth graders and involves multiple concepts.  The concepts include general multiplication rules, pertinent vocabulary words relating to the subject matter, five steps used in constructing a graph of a parabola, and the graphing of a parabola.  In co-teaching the lesson with my classmate, we worked to ensure that the students were able to describe the function vocabulary correctly, complete the five steps needed in constructing the graph of a parabolas, and graph the equations provided by us, the instructors.  In addition, we differentiated the lesson to actively engage all students in different areas of the lesson.

In completing the artifact, I have learned that instruction can be somewhat traditional, but still have constructivist style of teaching incorporate. In introducing the topic, I engaged students by throwing a soft object into the air. I learned that kinesthetic learners were especially motivated to partake in this portion of the lesson and were able to understand the shape of a parabola at the very start of the lesson. I learned that the lesson content was difficult to teach in a way that ensured all students to participate significantly to the lesson, so it was difficult to determine how many students understood the content.

I learned a lot from the students in teaching the lesson, as well. Though our time allotment to teach the lesson was greatly reduced from what was required, we were able to gauge students’ thinking throughout. I learned which areas of the lesson needed improvement. However, I was able to meet the standard in the following ways:
 

• Candidates know, understand, and use the major concepts and procedures that define algebra
• Candidates consistently engage problem solving, reasoning and proof, communication, connections, and representation

Please take some time to view my attached Math Lesson Plan.