Micro Lesson #2: Personal Financing and Budgeting for 8th Grade

Micro Lesson #2: Personal Financing and Budgeting for 8th grade!

Link to lesson plan attached below

Reflection- Assessing Prior Knowledge and Planning Instructions:

·         What do the students need to know prior to the lesson?

Prior to the lesson my students will need to know simple math skills specifically addition and subtraction so that they will be able to figure out their budget for the month. The students will also need to know how to use a computer, surf the internet safely, log on to their g-mail account and how to type on a keyboard.

·         How will prior knowledge and experience be assessed?

Prior knowledge and experience will be assessed within previous lessons. The students have already done many activities that use simple math skills as well as computer skills. The teacher will help guide those students that may have trouble with these areas of learning however, most students will already know how to use these skills.

·         How will you use this information in the planning process?

I will use my previous knowledge from other lessons to help me with my planning process. This will help me because I know what students still need clarification with using their g-mail or even with typing on a keyboard. Also with results from previous lessons I will be able to gage my questions so that my students are reviewing what we have previously learned as well as grasping the new material at the same time. 

·         Why should the content of this lesson be taught at this grade level?

The content of this lesson should be taught to eighth grade students because it is centered toward the eighth-grade standards.

·         How do the objectives that you have for the lesson align with the standards?

The objectives that I wrote for the lesson align with the standards because I rewrote the standards in objective form so that the students could benefit from the standard as a whole.

·         When will the lesson be taught in the course of the school year? Why?

This lesson will be taught at the beginning of the economics unit which is laid out for the beginning of second semester in the eighth grade. Usually the eighth-grade curriculum sets aside the first semester for government material which leaves economics for the second half of the school year. (At least this is how it was taught in my practicum class last semester at the junior high level.)

Reflection-Designing Instructions:

·         Why are you using the instructional methods you have described?

I am using the instructional methods that I have described so that I can keep my students engaged in the learning throughout the whole lesson.

·         How do the instructional methods align with what you know about best practices (think about your methods classes)?

My instructional methods align with what I have been taught about best practices because like I previously stated, my students stay engaged throughout the whole lesson. They are asked to take fill in the blank notes during the power point presentation, they are also asked to follow along on a budget worksheet during the guided practice portion of the lesson. During the independent practice, they are required to turn in the worksheet in class as well as actively search the web for pricing for their budgets. Finally, at the end of the lesson they must hand in an exit ticket before leaving class. I filled this lesson with lots of hands on learning so that there is little to no time for being off task.

·         How are you engaging students in creative and higher order thinking?

I am engaging my students in creative and higher order thinking by having them create their own personal budgets. They are given a set amount of money for the month         and they must do research on the internet to come up with sources that fit into their budget. They also have to problem solve in order to figure out what they will do in the months to come if their budget does not match with the money that they need to spend each month.

Reflection- Planning Assessment:

·         How does the assessment align with the standards and objectives of this lesson?

This assessment aligns with the standards and objectives because it requires them to create their own budgets. They have to have an understanding of how to calculate a monthly budget in order to correctly create one themselves.

·         How does the assessment demonstrate that the students have been successful in learning the content?

The assessment will demonstrate if the student understands the concepts of personal financing because if they go over budget they will need to explain what they would do to fix it and why it is not good to go over budget. They also have to fill out an exit ticket explaining the benefits of financial planning.

·         How does the assessment demonstrate student engagement in higher order thinking?

The assessment demonstrates student engagement in higher order thinking because the students must use the knowledge that they learn to create their own personalized budget.

·         How does the assessment demonstrate that the individual student needs were met?

The assessment demonstrates that the individual students needs were met because the assignment can easily be modified by the teacher to accommodate particular students.  

Reflection- How does your lesson meet each of the ISTE NET’s Standards?

·         How does your lesson meet Standard 1: Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity?

My lesson inspires creativity because it requires students to create their own personal budget. They can be creative in what they add to their budgets for example they can have a “fancy” car if they can fit it into their monthly budget plan.

·         How does your lesson meet Standard 2: Provide Digital Age Learning Experiences and Assessment?

My lesson includes digital age learning because students are asked to use the internet, a computer, a keyboard and an online resource for their final project. They also need to be aware of safety when it comes to surfing the internet.

·         How does your lesson meet Standard 3: Model Digital Age Work& Learning?

My lesson includes digital age modeling because I provide an example to my students of how a finished monthly budget should look. I also have them follow along with me through the guided practice so that they get a good understanding of how to create their own budgets.

·         How does your lesson meet all four elements of Standard 4: Promote and Model Digital Age Citizenship and Responsibility by:

§  advocating, modeling, and teaching safe, legal, and ethical use of digital information and technology, including respect for copyright, intellectual property, and the appropriate documentation of sources.

§  addressing the diverse needs of all learners by using learner-centered strategies providing equitable access to appropriate digital tools and resources.

§  promoting and modeling digital etiquette and responsible social interactions related to the use of technology and information.

§  developing and modeling cultural understanding and global awareness by engaging with colleagues and students of other cultures using digital-age communication and collaboration tools.

My lesson promotes correct use of digital citizenship and responsibility because I remind my students what is appropriate and what is not appropriate when working online. I also model this as well. I also monitor my students throughout their independent practice to make sure that they are practicing appropriate digital citizenship. Finally, my student are aware of consequences that may be given for the abuse of the internet and technology.

Lesson Plan Link!!!!!

https://docs.google.com/a/nau.edu/document/d/143ExJiAtPm83MZaRbA7bqjT1euDm6KHCmTV5ptcqaIE/edit?usp=sharing