The students must solve the mathematical problem by decoding the word. Literacy Elements Incorporated:

This lesson incorporates the concept that letters have a certain value. This can be tied to phonics, as the students develop the concept that a letter has a certain sound. Students use literacy skills to decode math problems and create number sentences.

How, when why, where and for whom they were used:

This lesson is designed for 3rd graders. One of the key difficulties with this age group is that consistency with skills is varied. Some students are more proficient than others at this stage. This makes it difficult to integrate literacy skills into the lesson plan. It is difficult to find a level that matches the skill level of the students.

Compare quality from beginning to end:

This lesson has many extension activities that can be used to develop both word and mathematical skills. For instance, the plan suggests asking questions such as, "Whose name is most valuable?" It also suggests that the students be asked to see who can come up with the most valuable words. This lesson integrated the literacy concepts throughout the entirety of the lesson plan.

Lesson Plan #4: Word Problems and Technology

Aim of the Lesson:

Students use KidPix deluxe to create their own word problems and answers.

Literacy Elements Incorporated:

Although students at this level do not have highly developed literacy skills, the lesson integrates several important literacy skills. The students must use scientific inquiry, pose questions and seek answers in this lesson. This lesson focuses on literacy concepts, rather than proficiency in word-related concepts. This lesson reinforces vocabulary as well.

How, when why, where and for whom they were used:

This lesson is designed for first and second graders. This group does not have highly developed literacy skills at this point in time. Therefore, it does not achieve the level of integration of the previous three lessons discussed.

Compare quality from beginning to end:

Literacy skills are essential in the ability to solve word problems. Students on this level may not be advanced enough in their...

Literacy skills need to be developed prior to this lesson in order for the lesson to be successful in reaching its intended aims. This lesson uses literacy skills, but children that lack the appropriate literacy skills will not be able to complete it successfully. Rather than building confidence in literacy skills, this lesson could backfire for those students that lack the ability to complete it successfully.
Lesson Plan #5: Sorting Through Life

Aim of the Lesson:

The aim of this lesson is to teach students to sort objects by attribute and to relate them to life.

Literacy Elements Incorporated:

Sorting is an important pre-literacy skill. This lesson builds sorting skills that will be useful in helping to develop decoding skills later.

How, when why, where and for whom they were used:

This lesson is designed for Kindergarten level, but could be used with pre-school students as well. Students learn to sort a number of material including refrigerator magnets, seashells, marbles, counting bears, color blocks and other objects. They concentrate on one group of objects per day. The strength of this lesson is that the students can work independently, or in groups. They must determine several different qualities of the object and decide which way to sort them.

Compare quality from beginning to end:

One of the key strengths of this lesson is that it can be continued throughout the year. It builds important sorting skills that will be necessary for literacy skills later. If students do not get the concept at first, they will be likely to master it by the end of the school year. This lesson provides students the chance for the mastery level needed. Students that master the skills early in the year can build on their skills by searching for new ways to categorize the objects.

References

Bintz, W., Moore, S., Hayhurst, E., Rubin, J., & Sherry, T. (2006). Integrating Literacy, Math, and Science to Make Learning Come Alive. Middle School Journal. 37 (3), 30-37. ERIC ID EJ752859.

Literacy Matters (2007). Math. Retrieved December 16, 2007 at http://www.literacymatters.org/content/math.htm.