Instructor: Caitlyn Hinnerschitz Grade: Third Subject: Mathematics
Review Resources
I previewed Prodigy’s tutorial (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R01vqsW8xjI) and viewed a variety of the company’s videos posted on the official Prodigy YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/user/SMARTeacherCA). In addition to viewing their YouTube channel, I spent time reviewing Prodigy’s official website (https://www.prodigygame.com). I also read multiple online reviews about the web-based educational game and asked educators that I know in the field using the game what their opinions of the game were and any tips they could share. Additionally, I explored all the basic functions provided in Prodigy by playing the game for multiple hours myself in the student version.
Prepare Resources
I created a R.O.P.E.S. formatted lesson plan that contains an outline of the order of activities and resources needed. In the beginning stages of my planning process, I made Prodigy accounts and login information cards for each student. I then created a PowerPoint presentation to explain the mathematical content and a guided notes sheet that corresponds with the information. The students were responsible for filling in the blanks on the sheet as the presentation progressed. I also created a guided practice sheet that contained two practice problems that students completed in partners. During gameplay, students were given a teacher-created sheet entitled “The Challenges I Faced.” On the back of the sheet, was a gameplay checklist which was used to help guide students while playing Prodigy. Then, I developed four questions to ask students that facilitated a class discussion after gameplay. The questions were used as a Game Debrief. Lastly, I had to design and create a three-question exit slip and an observational checklist to use as assessment tools.
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Since the students do not have personal learning devices, and there are limited technological resources housed within the school, I had to ask administration for special permission to “reserve” the computer lab. Administration approved the request, and the lesson took place within the school’s computer lab. Each student used the desktop computer at their assigned location. Prior to teaching the lesson, I went to the computer lab and ensured that Prodigy worked properly on the available devices. I also checked to see if each computer was properly connected to the school’s internet.
For the whole group instruction, the space needed to be arranged to ensure that all students could easily see the PowerPoint presentation. I arranged the space by enabling students to sit on the carpet in the front of the room and placed a row of chairs behind the carpet. For this section of the lesson, I had to make sure that the projector was working and connected to my personal computer. Additionally, I had to print eighteen copies (one for each student) of the guided notes sheet that was completed during the presentation.
For the collaborative learning portion of the lesson, students were to complete two mathematical questions in partner groups. I had to print eighteen copies (one for each student). For individual learning (playing Prodigy), eighteen computers were ready for student use as well as “The Challenges I Faced” recording sheet and gameplay checklist.
The day I taught the lesson, I arrived at school early to turn on the desktop computers and place the students’ individual login cards at the computers. At each computer, I also had printed copies of the guided notes and guided practice sheets.
Prepare the Learners
I started the lesson by reviewing what the students had learned in math the following day. The students had been learning about the basic elements of addition and subtraction. After reviewing previously learned material, I gave students a brief overview of what we were going to learn about that day and discussed with them what the learning objectives were for the lesson. I supported the overview by providing a rationale statement that informed students why it is important that they learn to multiply and how it is relevant to their everyday life. I also provided a rationale statement of how Prodigy would help them learn the content while having fun. Then, I discussed with the students how they would benefit from paying attention and learning the content. I did this to increase engagement and motivation levels during the lesson.
Provide the Learning Experience
Since this was the first-time students were introduced to the concept of multiplication, I spent twenty minutes teaching the new essential terms and strategies. The terms we reviewed were multiplication, factor, product, times, and groups of. The multiplication strategies I taught were repeated addition and equal grouping. After introducing and teaching the new content, students worked in pairs to complete two mathematical problems. Once students finished, we came back together and discussed their answers. Then, I introduced the game Prodigy and briefly went over the purpose of the game, how to play the game, and where to find their login information. We also briefly went over the gameplay checklist and the challenges recording sheet. Students were then turned loose to play the web-based educational game for thirty-five minutes. Once the allotted time was complete, we came back together whole group and discussed any struggles faced or strategies used during gameplay. We then went over the Game Debrief questions together. Finally, to conclude the learning experience, students completed a three-question exit slip.