Beacon Lesson Plan LibraryMathematical Contributions by WomenDiane BatesDescriptionStudents explore the contributions of women to mathematics by writing a research paper, presenting a summary to their peers, and sharing an activity with their peers.StandardsFlorida Sunshine State StandardsLA.A.2.3.6 The student uses a variety of reference materials, including indexes, magazines, newspapers, and journals, and tools, including card catalogs and computer catalogs, to gather information for research topics. LA.B.1.3.2 The student drafts and revises writing that -is focused, purposeful, reflects insight into the writing situation;-conveys a sense of completeness and wholeness with adherence to the main idea;-has an organizational pattern that provide for a logical progression of ideas;-has support that is substantial, specific, revelant, concrete, and/or illustrative;-demonstrates a commitment to and an involvement with the subject;-has clarity in presentation of ideas;uses creative writing strategies appropriate to the purpose of the paper;demonstrates a command of language (word choice) with freshness of expression;has varied sentence structure and sentences that are complete except when fragments are used and purposefully; andhas few, if any, convention errors in mechanics, usage, and punctuation. LA.B.2.3.4 The student uses electronic technology including databases and software to gather information and communicate new knowledge. LA.C.3.3.3 The student speaks for various occasions, audiences, and purposes, including conversations, discussions, projects, and informational, persuasive, or technical presentations. SS.A.2.3.1 The student understands how language, ideas, and institutions of one culture can influence other cultures (e.g., through trade, exploration, and immigration). SS.A.2.3.5 The student knows significant historical leaders who shaped the development of early cultures (e.g., military, political, and religious leaders in various civilizations). SS.A.3.3.1 The student understands ways in which cultural characteristics have been transmitted from one society to another (e.g., through art, architecture, language, other artifacts, traditions, beliefs, values, and behaviors). SS.A.3.3.2 The student understands the historical events that have shaped the development of cultures throughout the world. Florida Process Standards Information Managers 01 Florida students locate, comprehend, interpret, evaluate, maintain, and apply information, concepts, and ideas found in literature, the arts, symbols, recordings, video and other graphic displays, and computer files in order to perform tasks and/or for enjoyment. Effective Communicators 02 Florida students communicate in English and other languages using information, concepts, prose, symbols, reports, audio and video recordings, speeches, graphic displays, and computer-based programs. Critical and Creative Thinkers 04 Florida students use creative thinking skills to generate new ideas, make the best decision, recognize and solve problems through reasoning, interpret symbolic data, and develop efficient techniques for lifelong learning. Resource Managers 06 Florida students will appropriately allocate time, money, materials, and other resources. Cooperative Workers 08 Florida students work cooperatively to successfully complete a project or activity. Materials-Project guidelines handout for each student-Copies of Women in the History of Mathematics rubric for each student (see Attached Files.) -Computer(s) and appropriate software, such as word-processing, encyclopedia, and multimedia -Access to Internet for research (See Web Links.) -Various research materials for students to use -Teacher resource materials AIMS Education Foundation's Historical Connections in Mathematics Vol. I 2002 ISBN 1-881431-35-5, Vol. II 2003 ISBN 1-881431-38-X, Vol. III 2005 ISBN 1-881431-49-5 Preparations1. Prepare handout on project instructions as written in section IIB, number 1-3 in the lesson.2. Make copies of Women in the History of Mathematics rubric for each student. (See Attached Files.) 3. Preview Website (optional). (See Web Links.) 4. Obtain suggested resources for activity (optional). 5. Obtain or check availability of resources for student research. ProceduresBriefing1. Arrange students into groups of four. 2. Provide a handout to the students that describes the activity. 3. Provide students a copy of the rubric at the beginning of the activity and discuss the project and grading criteria on the rubric. (See Attached Files.) Research 4. Allow each group to choose a woman from the list below or find another woman who has contributed to mathematics. (See Web Links for a Website to use in research. This Website provides biographies of women who have contributed to science, mathematics, and other fields of study.) Some women in mathematics are as follows: Maria Gaetana Agnesi Emilie du Chatelet Sophie Germain Grace Murray Hopper Hrotswitha Hypatia Sonya Kovalevsky Ada Lovelace Emmy Noether Mary Fairfax Somerville 5. Have each group conduct and write a research paper on the woman that they have chosen. The research paper must be in final document form and published on a computer (word-processing program). It should include a bibliography and focus on the woman's contributions to mathematics. Research can be done using the Internet, encylopedias, biographies, etc. Activity 6. Using the information obtained, have each group find or develop an activity that can be used with the class to teach about the person they have researched. If students have difficulty finding activities to use, two books that are great resources are Classic Math History Topics for the Classroom (available from Dale Seymour Publications) and Historical Connections in Mathematics. (See Materials.) Presentation 7. After the students publish their research papers, have each group present an 8-10 minute summary of its research paper to the rest of the class. Multi-media presentations should be encouraged. 8. Have each group share the related activity with the class. AssessmentsUse a rubric to assess research bibliography, research paper, presentation, and activity. (See Attached Files.)ExtensionsStudents need to be familiar with how to conduct research via the Internet as well as conventional sources. Students also need to have experience organizing and presenting information in a research paper.Return to the Beacon Lesson Plan Library. |