Buidling to Spec - Cuisenaire Rod lesson plan #2

Lesson Plan – J. Pisano
Building to Spec – Cuisenaire Rods Grades 3-4
Complete/Review Do Now and homework

Learning Expectations:
*construct shapes that satisfy a given set of conditions
* give and follow a set of directions
* compare different shapes that may result from the same set of clues

Activities:
* Give a set of clues and have students build a Cuisenaire Rod shape that fits the clues – allow pairs of students to adjust and discuss their solutions after each clue is given.
• The shape is a hollow square
• The shapes uses more than one color
• The shape has exactly six rods
• One of the rods is purple
* Share solutions and discuss how they are alike and different. Students complete On Their Own
* How many Cuisenaire Rod shapes can you build that satisfy a given set of clues?
1. Work with a group. Pick a set of clues. You will take turns removing clues from the envelope and reading them aloud.
2. After the first clue is read, you should make a shape that satisfies the clue. Check one another’s work. Your shapes may or may not look alike.
3. After the second clue is read, you may make changes to your shape to satisfy both clues. Check one another’s work.
4. Read the other clues, making any necessary changes.
5. Compare the final shapes to make sure that they each satisfy all 4 clues. Record your shapes.
6. When your group is finished return clues to envelope and choose another to repeat the activity.

Discussion questions – In what ways did you change your shape to satisfy a new clue? What type of clues did you find the hardest to satisfy? Explain. Do you think the order in which the clues came out of the envelope made a difference? Would a different order have made it easier to build the shape? Explain.

Extending the Activity
1. Students create a shape using 6 rods or fewer and write as many clues as they can to describe the shape.
2. Students work in pairs to create a shape and write a set of 4 clues that describes the shape. Exchange sets of clues and try to solve.

Assessments: teacher observations, game play and follow up discussion

Materials: Cuisenaire rods, 1-cm grid paper, clues
Tech Infusion: Promethean board – flipchart, laptops – Virtual Manipulatives website

Accomodations/Modifications:
* teacher designed groups
* differentiated assignments/activities (centers to reach all levels)
* extended time-classwork/assessments(when needed)
* restructured homework assignments for both above level and below level students
* use of manipulatives/graphic organizers
* extension activities/alternative assignments
* encouraging independence/student initiative
* includes a rich variety of resources, media ideas, methods and tasks
* proximity to teacher
* personalized monitoring tools (checklists, goal sheets, thumbs up/down level understanding monitors)

Homework: short-constructed response review
Standards: MA.4.4.5 A.1, MA.4.4.5 A.2.b, MA.4.4.5 A.5, MA.4.4.5 B.1.b, MA.4.4.5 B.2, MA.4.4.5 B.3, MA.4.4.5 D.2, MA.4.4.5 D.3, MA.4.4.5 D.4, MA.4.4.5 F.1