What is a Clarifying Lesson?

A model lesson teachers can implement in their classroom. Clarifying Lessons combine multiple TEKS statements and may use several Clarifying Activities in one lesson. Clarifying Lessons help to answer the question "What does a complete lesson look like that addresses a set of related TEKS statements, and how can these TEKS statements be connected to other parts of the TEKS?"

Clarifying Lessons

Grade 7

Divide and Conquer

Given problems involving whole numbers, students analyze responses to two different types of division problems and discuss how the inclusion of the language of sharing and grouping will help them recognize situations that require division. Students then solve a sequence of problems organized to provide scaffolding for understanding of an algorithm for division of fractions. Emphasis will be placed on using pictures or diagrams and written descriptions of the thought processes involved to support solutions and the development of an algorithm. TEKS addressed in this lesson: 7.2A, B; 7.5A; 7.14A.

Pipe Cleaners

Students build rectangles with pipe cleaners. Since the pipe cleaners are all the same length, the rectangles will all have the same perimeter. Students investigate the relationship between the base and height of each of these rectangles. Using multiple representations, students collect data in a table, graph the data, and build a symbolic rule relating base and height of rectangles of a given perimeter. TEKS addressed in this lesson: 7.2B; 7.4B; 7.5A; 7.9A; 7.13C, D; 7.14A; 7.15A.