The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM), the professional organization whose mission is to promote, articulate, and support the best possible teaching and learning in mathematics, recognizes that “Excellence in mathematics education requires equity—high expectations and strong support for all students” (NCTM, 2000, p. 12). Effective teachers use a variety of strategies to differentiate math activities, instruction, and assessments for all students.
Design a mathematics lesson plan for the K-8 grade level of your choice that is aligned to an age-appropriate standard involving fractions. The lesson plan should include a variety of instructional strategies to differentiate for all students including but not limited to students who are gifted in math, students who have an IEP or 504 plan related to math, and English language learners. Ensure the lesson plan promotes student-centered learning, problem-solving, critical thinking, and mathematical discourse and engages students in mathematical practices. Use the “COE Lesson Plan Template,” the “5E Lesson Plan Template,” or a lesson plan template of your choice to develop a lesson plan that includes the following:
• Math standard and aligned learning objectives
• Mathematical practice standards
• Materials, including manipulatives, technology, etc.
• Vocabulary
• Anticipatory set
• Differentiated content instruction
• Differentiated engagement activity
• Differentiated assessment (formative and summative demonstration of learning)
• Closing/Practice/Home-School connections
Beneath your lesson plan, write a 250–500 word reflection explaining the instructional strategies included in your lesson and how those strategies offer differentiation. Additionally, discuss how your lesson was designed to promote student-centered learning, problem-solving, critical thinking, and mathematical discourse and engage students in mathematical practices