Lesson 6.

1 #1 - Grade 9 Math - Reflection November 23, 2015

Today we began a new chapter in math class on solving linear
equations using patterns. I had a solid lesson plan with me and the
lesson was going well until we began one of the examples from the
textbook. This example had no solution written in, but had a key that
I found in my Teacher Copy of my textbook that someone had
previously solved and left there for use. As I drew the table of values
on the board and we started discussing the steps needed to solve the
problem, I quickly realized that something was amiss with the key. Of
course the students confusion was obvious and a group of keen
teenage students found my confusion very funny and were quick to
point out a problem. Under the pressure of their snickers I was finding
it difficult to find the error and still maintain the air of there not being a
problem. I mulled over just moving on to an example that had a
solution written into the textbook, but decided that I would just admit a
problem and start over. We stopped, started over completely, threw
the key in the garbage, and slowly learned the correct steps and
expectations as a group. I really believe that the students appreciated
the fact that I admitted my confusion and didnt fake it or skip that
particular example just to appear smart. Overall, this lesson started
good and ended great but the middle was a little muddy.