COURSE: Grade 3 Math

Date: May 14, 2014

Instructor: Johannah Wirzba

Class: 60 minutes- 9:35-10:35

Stage 1: Desired Results

Learning
Outcome
(s)

Grade 3 Number
4. Estimate quantities less than 1000, using referents

Learning
Objectiv
es

Students will:
1. Define referent within the context of estimation.
I can explain what a referent is, and how it relates to estimation.
2. Choose appropriate referent for given estimation task.
I can find a good referent for the things Im estimating.
3. Compare referent to given estimation task.
I can use my referent to estimate the things Im looking at.

Stage 2: Assessment Evidence

Summati
ve
Assessm
ent

None

Formativ
e
Assessm
ent

- Thumbs Up/Middle/Down (1,2,3)

- Estimation worksheet (2,3)
- Exit slip (1,2,3)

Stage 3: Learning Experience

- Have SMART presentation
loaded on computer, screen
warmed up
- Have stations prepared with
numbers and referents
- Photocopy estimation
worksheet and exit slip

- SMART presentation
- Macaroni, cotton balls,
marshmallows, cereal,
patterned wrapping paper (dots
Prior to
Resourc
or squares), pennies, dinosaur
the
es to
toys, beans
Lesson
Bring
- Have them in easy to use
containers, several should
have a referent already
counted out
- Have stations numbered
Time
Content/Description
Notes
15
Intro:
Differentiation:
minutes - As students are walking into class, have SMART
- Prompt students for words
9:35slide up introducing activity.
they might know inside
9:50
- Activity (10 min.): Students are given a new
this new word.
word and they must guess what that word
- If students finish early,
might mean. The word is referent. Students
have them draw a picture
must find a scrap piece of paper and write a
of what they think the
short definition of what they think the word
word might mean.
might mean.
- Teacher can use this work time to take
attendance and then circulate to assist and
prompt.
- Mini Lesson (5 min.): Explain that a referent is
a tool we use for estimation. Ask for students
to explain what estimation is and why we
dont want to count everything all the time

COURSE: Grade 3 Math

Date: May 14, 2014
Instructor: Johannah Wirzba

Class: 60 minutes- 9:35-10:35

(they should already know from last class). A

referent is a known amount of something
to help us visualize our estimation.
Body:
Key Notes:
-Mini Lesson (10 minutes): Introduce learning - Make sure to explain that
objectives for todays class. Show students
referents dont always
several examples of a referent and an
have to be the same, and
estimation using the SMART presentation.
also dont have to be
Have students take out whiteboard, markers
exact.
and gloves to respond with estimation
- Give some examples where
answers.
students are required to
- Ex) Wheres Waldo count out 20 people,
find their
estimate how many there are on the whole
page
- Ex) Macaroni in a jar show them a jar with
50 inside and a jar with many more
- Ask students what amount is the referent
in each example
- Assessment: Have students show you thumbs
up/thumbs in the middle/thumbs down to see
Differentiation:
how well they understood/how difficult they
- Struggling Students: Go
found it
around to students who
35
werent feeling confident
minutes - Activity (25 minutes): Have stations set up
(thumbs) and clarify
9:50around macaroni, cereal, wrapping paper,
- Depending on the student,
10:25
pennies, cotton balls, marshmallows, bouncy
may pair them up with
balls, dinosaur toys, beans
another student and work
- Have students draw a number from the
together keep an eye on
hat (hat contains numbers 1-10) and
these students, perhaps
students must begin at the station with
take some of the objects
that corresponding number. Students may
out to make counting
move on to stations as they are finished.
easier
Be sure not to bother or bump other
- Accelerated Students: Have
peoples work.
several extra stations that
- Students must go to the station and
are more challenging,
estimate the total number of items in
more items to count,
jar/paper/etc. Some stations will have a
larger referent, etc. or
referent counted out, other time students
have them come up with
will have to decide on a referent for
their own station to add
themselves.
for next year
- Students must record their answers on
their worksheet. (Both the referent and the
total estimate).
- Important: stop 5 minutes early to clean up
centers and return to seats!
10
Closure:
Differentiation:
minutes
- Exit Slip (10 minutes): Students must
- Read questions aloud
10:25complete the short exit slip using the
- When students have
10:35
information from the SMARTboard.
finished, hand in their exit

COURSE: Grade 3 Math

Date: May 14, 2014
Instructor: Johannah Wirzba
-

Reflection
s and
Follow Up

Class: 60 minutes- 9:35-10:35

Q1: What is a referent? Explain it in your

slip to the box then read a
own words. Be sure to talk about what it
book quietly
means for estimation.
- Choose questions that are
Q2: Estimation question with referent
simple enough for all
given.
students to complete
Q3: Estimation question without
referent.
Q4: List of 3 learning objectives for
todays class. Have students rate (with
smiley faces) how confident they feel
about each one.

Next Class:
- Look at student estimations and discuss why they are different.
Are some of them wrong?
- Go over how to choose a good referent