“Fun, easy to use, and help students develop a deep understanding of challenging concepts through inquiry and exploration.
Research-based, flexible tools used by teachers across all 50 states in a wide variety of ways. Gizmos are ideal for small group work, individual exploration, and whole class instruction using an LCD projector or interactive whiteboard.
Designed to supplement your existing curriculum. Gizmos are correlated to state curriculum standards, the Common Core standards, and over 300 textbooks, making them easy to integrate into your instructional program.
Backed by first-rate training and professional development services that help maximize the value of your investment.”
ExploreLearning offers online mathematical tools for grades 3-12 and even college tools. The subjects that are available for each level include Number and Operations, Algebra, Geometry, Measurement, Data Analysis and Probability. ExploreLearning also offers lesson for Science.
For this class, grades 6-8 Geometry will be the subject that we choose.
Each subject offers many topics that the teacher can choose from depending on the days’ lesson. Each lesson contains a an Exploration Guide and a Assessment Questions. Also, each activity has an option that allows for the teacher to add the lesson to their classroom. When students join the teachers “class” they will have all the Gizmo’s that their teacher has chosen providing in their class sections.
The Exploration Guide explains how to work the Gizmo. Also, the guide provides questions that the teacher can consider asking the students while they perform the activity. The Exploration Guide gives teachers guidance in leading the lesson. It is an useful and easy tool to use to help construct class discussion and class participation. Basically, the Exploration Guide is a lesson already created for the teacher.
The Assessment Questions for each lesson is composed of questions that would be useful after the teacher has used the Gizmo for an activity. These questions test the students understanding of the day’s lesson and will help further their knowledge of the lesson. Questions can be printed out as an optional formative assessment.
I have chosen to explore Triangles as my day’s lesson. Once I click on the triangles section, multiple triangle lessons are provided for use.
Many lesson options are available for the teacher to choose from. The teacher needs to explore each lesson in order to determine which will best for the students. After searching through many lessons, I have chosen to focus my lesson on Triangle Angle Sum.
This lesson explores angle measurements and how to find the sum of triangles’ angles. The students can measure the length of each side as well as use the angle measure tool to find the angles.The teacher has the option to show reference lines which offers discussion on the parallel postulate, corresponding angles, alternate interior angles, and vertical angles. Having students create different triangles and relate the sum of each different triangle’s angles will reveal that each triangle has a sum of 180 degrees. The teacher can give students two angles and ask for the other angles measures. Students will then have to use the protractor tool to find the angle and understand that their goal is to reach the sum of 180 degrees. Once the sum of angles in a triangle is covered, the teacher can then move on using the length tool and creating isosceles, right triangles, and equilateral triangles. Students will be able to see the properties of each of these triangles and the possible angle measurements. By using the Exploration Guide, the teacher can conduct the day’s lesson with ease.
Lesson:
Guide:
Before using ExploreLearning:
Allow students to explore the Gizmo themselves. Allow them to “click” around and look at their options so that they can be somewhat familiar with the program before the lesson begins.
Using this program on a Smart Board would allow for multiple ways of interaction. Interactions within the program and interaction within the classroom by using the smartboard.
Teacher Must:
The teacher needs to be comfortable with the actual Gizmo. Exploring the Gizmo and picking topics which will be best for your students should be considered before using the Gizmos. Teachers need to be experienced with how to work each Gizmo in order to answer possible questions from the students.
Be Aware:
In order for the Gizmo’s to load, Adobe Shockwave and Flash must be downloaded.
Why choose ExploreLearning?
Students:ExploreLearning allows for fun interactive ways in which students can explore math. Instead of using the basic pencil and paper means, students will be able to use technology in educational means. ExploreLearning is a great tool that can be used to explore and broaden students’ horizons when it comes to learning math!
Teachers:ExploreLearning is a great tool for teachers! It is so easy to use and provides step by step instructions on how to conduct each lesson for each topic in the class. It also allows for great interactive activities and useful assessments to engage students. As a teacher, you can create your own class page. By doing this, the students will be able to enroll into your created class and only use the lessons that you have chosen. If teachers do not feel comfortable with working each Gismo, ExploreLearning offers tutorials that help train teachers. Most importantly, the lesson plans are basically provided for the teacher, what teacher does not love that!
“You have to ignite the enthusiasm of students so that you can turn them on to the subject that you are teaching and that
they can develop a deep passion for what they are learning. ExploreLearning does just that!”
-Denise Walston (Math Supervisor for Norfolk Public Schools)
ExploreLearning offers online mathematical tools for grades 3-12 and even college tools. The subjects that are available for each level include Number and Operations, Algebra, Geometry, Measurement, Data Analysis and Probability. ExploreLearning also offers lesson for Science.
For this class, grades 6-8 Geometry will be the subject that we choose.
Each subject offers many topics that the teacher can choose from depending on the days’ lesson. Each lesson contains a an Exploration Guide and a Assessment Questions. Also, each activity has an option that allows for the teacher to add the lesson to their classroom. When students join the teachers “class” they will have all the Gizmo’s that their teacher has chosen providing in their class sections.
The Exploration Guide explains how to work the Gizmo. Also, the guide provides questions that the teacher can consider asking the students while they perform the activity. The Exploration Guide gives teachers guidance in leading the lesson. It is an useful and easy tool to use to help construct class discussion and class participation. Basically, the Exploration Guide is a lesson already created for the teacher.
The Assessment Questions for each lesson is composed of questions that would be useful after the teacher has used the Gizmo for an activity. These questions test the students understanding of the day’s lesson and will help further their knowledge of the lesson. Questions can be printed out as an optional formative assessment.
I have chosen to explore Triangles as my day’s lesson. Once I click on the triangles section, multiple triangle lessons are provided for use.
Many lesson options are available for the teacher to choose from. The teacher needs to explore each lesson in order to determine which will best for the students.
After searching through many lessons, I have chosen to focus my lesson on Triangle Angle Sum.
This lesson explores angle measurements and how to find the sum of triangles’ angles. The students can measure the length of each side as well as use the angle measure tool to find the angles.The teacher has the option to show reference lines which offers discussion on the parallel postulate, corresponding angles, alternate interior angles, and vertical angles. Having students create different triangles and relate the sum of each different triangle’s angles will reveal that each triangle has a sum of 180 degrees. The teacher can give students two angles and ask for the other angles measures. Students will then have to use the protractor tool to find the angle and understand that their goal is to reach the sum of 180 degrees. Once the sum of angles in a triangle is covered, the teacher can then move on using the length tool and creating isosceles, right triangles, and equilateral triangles. Students will be able to see the properties of each of these triangles and the possible angle measurements.
By using the Exploration Guide, the teacher can conduct the day’s lesson with ease.
Lesson:
Guide:
Before using ExploreLearning:
Teacher Must:
Be Aware:
Why choose ExploreLearning?
Students: ExploreLearning allows for fun interactive ways in which students can explore math. Instead of using the basic pencil and paper means, students will be able to use technology in educational means. ExploreLearning is a great tool that can be used to explore and broaden students’ horizons when it comes to learning math!
Teachers: ExploreLearning is a great tool for teachers! It is so easy to use and provides step by step instructions on how to conduct each lesson for each topic in the class. It also allows for great interactive activities and useful assessments to engage students. As a teacher, you can create your own class page. By doing this, the students will be able to enroll into your created class and only use the lessons that you have chosen. If teachers do not feel comfortable with working each Gismo, ExploreLearning offers tutorials that help train teachers. Most importantly, the lesson plans are basically provided for the teacher, what teacher does not love that!
“You have to ignite the enthusiasm of students so that you can turn them on to the subject that you are teaching and that
they can develop a deep passion for what they are learning. ExploreLearning does just that!”
-Denise Walston (Math Supervisor for Norfolk Public Schools)
Check out ExploreLearning
http://www.explorelearning.com/