Sample Course Assignments

Sample Assignment 4: Reading Assignment and Discussion #1


Based on an Assignment by Georgine Ruff, Spring 2006

Part 1:  Due Monday, February 13, 2006.  Part 2:  Due Friday, February 17, 2006

Part 1 

Some questions deserve only a few seconds of thought. Others may need or require days. Research into "wait-time" in American classrooms portrays a sad and distressing picture. Many teachers wait less than two seconds for the answer to a question and ask hundreds of questions daily. This type of questioning is generally recall and does not allow for students to develop their own thoughts or meaning.

You will read two short articles on questioning: “The Role of Questioning” by Marilyn Burns and “The Question is the Answer” by Jamie McKenzie.
Click on the links below to view the articles, which are both in the iDiscovery Knowledge Center.

Post a thoughtful response to the articles before Monday, February 13, 2006. As you respond, consider the following questions:

  1. What questions do I normally use in my lessons?
  2. Is there a "wait-time" in my teaching? How can I improve my "wait-time"?
  3. What questions will enhance my students’ learning?

Part 2

Contribute to a discussion of the reading assignment by reacting to the responses posted by your colleagues. You must answer any questions asked of you by your colleagues, and make a minimum of four additional contributions to the discussion to receive credit for this assignment. Your contributions must be spread out over time, and must be completed by the final assignment due date. Avoid the use of simple, unelaborated statements when you respond, because such statements do not encourage conversation.

The Question is the Answer

The Role of Questioning

Sample Assignment 7: Lesson Plan for an Implemented Lesson


Assignment for Improving Mathematics Practice and Classroom Teaching (IMPACT) iDiscovery workshop for Spring 2006.

Due Friday, April 7, 2006

Use the iDiscovery lesson plan template to post the lesson plan for an IMPACT-based lesson that you have planned and taught.

The lesson may be your creation, selected from the ORC website, selected from a required curriculum, selected from the Knowledge Center, or an adaptation of a lesson that you know about or have used. The lesson must reflect the skills and knowledge that were the focus of your IMPACT sessions and the assignments that you have completed during this iDiscovery workshop.

Put the title of your lesson in the subject box on the lesson plan template page.
Click on the link below to find out how to access the iDiscovery lesson plan template.

Complete the template fields identified by your facilitator.
The “Reflections on the Implementation of the Lesson” is a short, thoughtful essay describing successes, failures, surprises and suggestions for improvement. This reflection is required.

Follow instructions to attach copies of pages that are essential for understanding the lesson, including any pages distributed to students.

Typical Assignment 8: Discussion of the Posted Lesson Plans

Due Monday, April 17, 2006

Return to Assignment Seven, and respond thoughtfully to at least several of the lessons posted by your colleagues.

Respond to comments and questions posted about your lesson plan, and contribute to discussion of at least several of the lesson plans posted by your colleagues by reacting to their lesson plans and to the comments posted about their lesson plans.

You must answer questions asked of you and make a minimum of five additional contributions to the discussion to receive credit for this assignment. Your contributions must be spread out over time and must be completed by the assignment due date. Avoid the use of simple, unelaborated statements when you respond, because such statements do not encourage conversation.

NOTE: DO NOT respond to this assignment here. Go back to Assignment 7 and respond to the relevant lesson plans by clicking on the plan titles (not the author icon), and then clicking on "Respond."