Three Part Lesson Plan
What is it? The 3 Part Lesson Plan Format is an approach to instruction that is based on problem solving.
The teacher acts as a facilitator of learning. Students construct knowledge while working in groups/partners, and share their thinking with the class.
View the three part lesson in more detail using links at the bottom of the page.
Part 1: Minds-On 5-10 minutes
Teacher led. Students prior knowledge is activated using a short activity which could include: a short video, a game, solving a problem together, reviewing a previous problem, brief discussion.
Part 2: Action 20 minutes
Students are given a problem to solve in pairs or small groups.Students select their problem solving strategies and work to complete the problem together. The teacher circulates, makes observations, asks guiding questions.
Asking Prompting Questions During Math Instruction- click to link to a Marian small video and resource
Part 3: Consolidation 20 minutes
The teacher strategically selects groups of students to share their solutions (based on willingness to share and which strategies were used to solve the problem). Ideally, a variety of strategies and/or ideas were used.
Ways to consolidate: click the following links
Bansho
Gallery Walk
Math Congress
The teacher acts as a facilitator of learning. Students construct knowledge while working in groups/partners, and share their thinking with the class.
View the three part lesson in more detail using links at the bottom of the page.
Part 1: Minds-On 5-10 minutes
Teacher led. Students prior knowledge is activated using a short activity which could include: a short video, a game, solving a problem together, reviewing a previous problem, brief discussion.
Part 2: Action 20 minutes
Students are given a problem to solve in pairs or small groups.Students select their problem solving strategies and work to complete the problem together. The teacher circulates, makes observations, asks guiding questions.
Asking Prompting Questions During Math Instruction- click to link to a Marian small video and resource
Part 3: Consolidation 20 minutes
The teacher strategically selects groups of students to share their solutions (based on willingness to share and which strategies were used to solve the problem). Ideally, a variety of strategies and/or ideas were used.
Ways to consolidate: click the following links
Bansho
Gallery Walk
Math Congress
Some benefits to using this model:
- effective in tending to the range of student abilities
- encourages deeper thinking
- promotes student confidence
- allows choice
- develops communication skills in math
- develops social capabilities and relationships
- strengthens group work skills
- ability to relate problems/skills to students' 'real life'
Sketch of the 3 Part Lesson Plan- Professionally Speaking Magazine provides a great, concise overview of the lesson fomat
Teaching and Learning Mathematics- The Report of the Expert Panel on Mathematics in Grades 4 to 6 in Ontario provides a clear example of problem solving with exemplars
Teaching and Learning Mathematics- The Report of the Expert Panel on Mathematics in Grades 4 to 6 in Ontario provides a clear example of problem solving with exemplars