July 18th, Reading - EDUC 504

Intro To UDB Handout
     Tomorrow in class we will be in groups to create our first lesson plan.  I appreciate this reference for us to use as a starting point and framework.  Which material we will utilize to create this lesson plan is an important decision to make!  It may set the tone for habits in our lesson plan creation for all of time! Reading through the different pages, I gravitate toward the backward design idea.  I greatly appreciate the fact that it gives some structure, but not too much that it is overwhelming to comprehend at first (like the Taxonomy!).  It can be put into action for any teaching scenario.  I am intrigued to see what our group comes up with for our first lesson plan tomorrow!

Teaching Ideas:  The Earthquake and Tsunami in Japan
     By searching through the Tsunami article, I found some useful resources that we may be able to use in our lesson plans for class, or perhaps just for the future in general.  I tried to make this blog be interactive so that we can actually use it during class to create our project.  Also, this is the first time I have created links in a blog.  Learning is fun...

Tsunami Lesson Plan Reference -  Japan's Strict Building Codes Saved Lives
     This was interesting because it talked about all of the modification that they use to make buildings in Japan compared to other countries.  They use base isolation pads and energy dissipation units.  They have hydraulic cylinders that expand and contract to absorb the force of the swaying buildings.  This prevents the amplification in wave frequency, sort of like a damper so that it doesn't get out of control.  It is a "mute" so to speak for the movement.  Everyone accepts these great modifications.  They have 40 foot high sea walls around the city that is creating a false sense of security, and it blocks the beautiful view.  They do all of these evacuation plans and training for Japanese people.  They only need five minutes to get to high ground.  They take it seriously and train everyone so that they can get to high ground in five minutes.

Tsunami Lesson Plan Reference - The Destructive Power of Water
     I could see how this article can be utilized to create realistic story problems for mathematics classes.  Through referencing everyday household items, it gives perspective on the sheer destructive force of tsunamis.  Water doesn't just flow.  It has different properties based on the volume of water being moved and the speed that it is moving.  If water is moving slowly, it can flow around.  If it is moving quickly, it can hit an object like a ton of bricks.  They use visual references such as Smart cars or tanks hitting you to realize the destruction process for the students.  It also talks about how projectiles can add into the destructive factor.  Water up to someones knees can knock them over.  "The power of a tsunami comes from straightforward physics."  When I get to teach a math class, this is a great way to relate the work in the classroom to real world events.  This article talks about the potential and kinetic energy for anyone interested in using it for physics classes.

Tsunami Lesson Plan Reference - Quake Moves Japan Closer to U.S. and Alters Earth's Spin
     Part of Japan moved 13 feet eastward because of the earthquake.  The result made Japan wider, not necessarily just shifted.  The most movement happened near the epicenter of the earthquake.  The earthquake shorted the day and tilted the axis slightly.  They give really good visual references of the shifts that happen related to playing cards to help students visualize. 
    
Math Lesson Plan Reference - By the Billions:  Creating and Comparing Population Growth Projections

Math Lesson Plan Reference - No Taxation Without Calculation:  Filling Out Tax Returns

Math Lesson Plan Reference - Who's No. 1?  Investigating the Mathematics of Rankings
Is it too stereotypical for me to like this lesson plan?  It is right up my alley!

Math Lesson Plan Reference - 12 Ways to Use The Times to Develop Math Literacy
It is so important for the students to understand how to read math books.

     I am excited to get into our groups tomorrow to put our learning into action!