My Absorb-Type Activity is a PDSA (Plan, Do, Study, Act process), focusing on basic math addition fact recall in a second grade classroom.
The PDSA objective targeted activity is large portion of the Continuous Classroom Improvement process. The CCI allows the learner's input into the adjustment of their learning methods and activities, in order to achieve their goal with the focus objective. This is a continuous process where students and teacher work together to bridge the gap in fluency and basic math fact recall.
The PDSA wheel shows the repeating cycle of activities accomplished during the week. Students and teachers will make a plan, do the plan, and evaluate the plan in order to study and decided on what actions worked or did not work for the next week. An objective is chosen as a target of study and broken down into 5 or 6 sub objectives all building on the overall objective targeted. (Each week builds on the previous week.)
Needs Assessment is the first step in the PDSA cycle. Identifying the knowledge needs learners require is the desired outcome of a PDSA. Developing fluency in bisic math fact recall significantly enables a child's subsequent progress with problem-solving, algebra and higher-order math concepts. Various drill and practice activities are brainstormed, resulting with assistance in memorizing basic math facts increased in learner's performance when working simple and complex math problems.
Basic math facts are existing knowledge acquired in the first grade, in most cases. It is important for children to memorize math facts in order to succeed acdemically. A report by Tom Loveless states that, "Youngsters who have not mastered whole number arithmetic by the end of 4th grade are at a risk of later becoming remedial students in mathematics" and advises that all students should receive a thorough arithmetic base.
Learner's performance goals are clear and defined. Learning activities to reach these goals are brainstormed each week and an assessment of the different activities is evaluated by the learners. Activities might include flashcards with partners, timed computer math fact drills, whole class Around theWorld, drill and practice at home, whiteboards, and practice sheets.
To measure success with class goals, a pretest will be administered on Monday. If the predetermined percentage goal is reached, showing mastery with the first objective, the learner then completes his data folder bar graph. During the week, "do activities" will be preformed two or three times a day for 10 minutes. On Thursday an assessment is given to learner's who did not meet the goal on the pretest. Mastery is again assessed and discussions begin on which activities were more successful for each learner. "Do activities" are again repeated for non-mastery learners during the day with a retest on Friday morning.
Our textbook states that, "Absorb activities are also an efficient way to extend current knowledge and skill. Learners who understand the fundamentals of a field can increase their knowledge by absorbing new details that elaborate a theory, concept, or principle". (Horton, 2012)
Grab learner's interest by showing Doubles! Doubles! Our first objective will be about doubles and doubles +1.
At the begining of each week, teacher will give the learners mental "tricks" to help them remember the math fact objective.
This bar graph will be stapled into a folder for each learner. The graph will be colored and kept in the learner's desk to give the learner ownership of his plan and evaluation results.
Research proves time and time again that higher-level math is more difficult to achieve mastery level when children have not mastered their math facts.
Some additional Math video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvPrgHPvj0E Learn Math: Addition & Subtraction Rock by Rock N Learn
http://www.mathfactspro.com/#/home Math Facts Pro quick facts recall
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