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Subject: Mathematics

Subject: Mathematics

Class: Standard Six

Topic: Business Math

Sub-topic: Currency

Time: 50 minutes

References: Learning and Teaching, Donald P Kauchak and Paul D Eggen, p.g. 336-343 Mathematics in Action, Macmillan/Mcgraw-Hill, p.g. 20

Materials: Word cards, blouses, shop items, price tags, chart.

Previous Knowledge: Students are aware that different currencies are used in different countries.

Concept: The steps taken when using problem solving are: 1.	Identify the problem 2.	Present the problem in a meaningful manner 3.	Select a strategy to solve the problem 4.	Carry out the strategy 5.	Evaluate the Results

Exchange rate for Peso to Belize is 4.75 Peso to $1 Bz. Exchange rate for Quetzal to Belize is 3.50 Quetzal to $1 Bz. A well defined problem has only one possible solution while an ill-defined problem has various ways of arriving at the solution.

Skills: 1.	Identify the problems presented to them 2.	Discuss problem solving strategies 3.	Calculate word problems effectively

Attitude: Appreciate the importance of problem solving.

Linkages: Language Arts (Reading), Social Studies (Currency)

Objectives: Having observed short dramatization students will be able to: 1.	Identify the steps taken in problem solving. 2.	Show appreciation for strategies used in solving problems. 3.	Calculate problems using the exchange rates provided by the teacher.

Lesson Introduction:

1.	Present the children with paper strips of assorted colors. 2.	Teacher will then present a short dramatization illustrating the purchasing of two identical blouses at two very different stores, one of which is located in Chetumal, Mexico while the other is located in Guatemala. 3.	Characters will discuss the price paid for the items while questioning themselves about who got the blouse at the cheaper price.

Lesson Development:  1.	Children will form groups according to the color strip they received. 2.	Elicit from group members the problem presented in the short dramatization. 3.	Discuss the responses given by the groups after having identified the problem presented in the dramatization. 4.	Present problem using visuals to illustrate the different facts about the problem. Children will clearly state the information that will be used to solve the problem. 5.	Students will be asked to discuss in their groups about possible solutions that can be used to solve this problem. 6.	Elicit from students the possible solutions that they were able to come up with. 7.	Ask students to select a strategy and attempt to solve the problem. 8.	Give students a couple of minutes to try to solve the problem. 9.	Evaluate results with students going over the different strategies that could be used to solve the problem. 10.	A second problem will be distributed for children to work on. 11.	Review problem solving procedure with students.

Conclusion: Provide each child with a problem solving scenario and ask them to individually make and effort to identify the problem and solve it.

Extended Activity:  Students will be required to construct a chart displaying the stages when using the Problem Solving approach and apply to a problem in their environment.