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The Classification of Numbers

A WebQuest for Algebra I

Designed by:

Wanda J. Milliman

Email Ms. Milliman with Questions or Suggestions

Introduction

When someone asks you what is a “2?” You would tell them a number, correct? Well, if you wanted to be more specific and look like someone that knows his math, you would say, “2” is a natural number. It is very important to learn the basic classifications of numbers. That is what this webquest is all about.

Task

By the end of this activity, you should recognize the various classifications of numbers. To help you, below is the process of this lesson:

Process

Day 1: As an initial activity, homework, you, the student, will be asked to visit the following websites and define, in his/her own terms each item, giving a good visual example, of each.

Natural Number

Whole Number

Integer

Rational Number

Irrational Number

http://www.sparknotes.com/math/prealgebra/integersandrationals/section2.rhtml

http://www.purplemath.com/modules/numtypes.htm

http://www.wtamu.edu/academic/anns/mps/math/mathlab/int_algebra/int_alg_tut3_sets.htm

Day 2: Now it is time to be creative. The following will take the entire 90 minute class.

· As a group, decide which classification you identify with the most. The reason you are doing this as a group, is so all of the five classifications will be represented. This activity requires teamwork and compromise. We will spend, at most, 10 minutes on this activity.

· Individually with a computer, personify the classification by writing a short bibliography about yourself as that classification, (you may decide to do it as a poem). For inspiration, see: http://www.writingfix.com/rightbrain/serendipitouspersonifying.htm. Note, the writing needs to be complete in 45 minutes.

· Finally, orally present your writing to the class. Plan on a one to three minute presentation. The goal of this activity is to have the class members evaluate the presentation to decide if the personification was correct

· Through silent ballot, you will judge the best three presentations.

· Those three students will receive 5 points of insurance towards the next test which will be on the classification of numbers.

Day 3: To end the lesson, visit the online lesson found at http://mconn.doe.state.la.us/, titled “The Classification of Numbers.”

· Follow the lesson, beginning with the bell ringer.

· View the PowerPoint presentation and come up with at least one way to make the presentation better.

· Then conclude the activity showing mastery of the identification of numbers by taking the test loaded on the site.

Evaluation

Your performance will be evaluated informally throughout the lesson, and formally via two rubrics (one on your writing and one on your presentation) as well as the results from the test at the conclusion of the lesson.

Personification of a Number Classification via Bibliography
	Beginning 1	Developing 2	Accomplished 3	Exemplary 4	Score
The Personification is Effective	Description of personified classification reflects a beginning level of understanding.	Description of personified classification reflects a development and movement toward mastery of understanding.	Description of personified classification reflects a mastery of understanding.	Description of personified classification reflects the highest level of understanding.

The Writing Process was Efficient	The student needed to be redirected to the process of writing more than three times.	The student needed to be redirected to the process of writing more than once.	The student wrote efficiently, and completed the task in 45 minutes.	The student wrote efficiently and offered help to peers once complete.

Elegance or Creativity	The writing had no creativity nor elegance.	The writing had an instant of creation and/or elegance.	The writing was creative and/or elegant.	The writing showed a high student value on creativity and elegance.

Misspelling and Writing Errors	More than six errors, misspelled words, inappropriate capitals, etc.	More than three errors, misspelled words, inappropriate capitals, etc.	Only one error, misspelled word, inappropriate capital, etc.	Error free paper

Oral Presentation on the Personification of a Number Classification
	Beginning 1	Developing 2	Accomplished 3	Exemplary 4	Score
The Personification is Effective	Description of personified classification reflects a beginning level of understanding.	Description of personified classification reflects a development and movement toward mastery of understanding.	Description of personified classification reflects a mastery of understanding.	Description of personified classification reflects the highest level of understanding.

The Presentation was Efficient	The student needed to be redirected to the process of presenting and/or listening to the presentation more than three times.	The student needed to be redirected to the process of presenting and/or listening to the presentation more than once.	The student presented efficiently, and completed the task in 1 to 3 minutes.	The student presented efficiently and was able to answer questions if any, showing the highest level of understanding

Elegance or Creativity	The presentation had no creativity nor elegance.	The presentation had an instant of creation and/or elegance.	The presentation was creative and/or elegant.	The presentation showed a high student value on creativity and elegance.

Conclusion

Number analysis is important in mathematical studies. After going through the lesson, you have learned how to classify numbers as well as utilize technology to help you make better presentations that are more creative and elegant. You will have learned how to personify some abstract object, and speak to a classroom of peers.

To extend your mathematical knowledge beyond this lesson, visit: http://www.wtamu.edu/academic/anns/mps/math/mathlab/int_algebra/resource.htm. Remember, the habit of lifelong learning is easily satisfied with the available worldwide internet. So, pursue areas of interest and share sites and learned content with friends. Don’t forget to share with your teachers, especially if you have found a great resource site that the facilitator can bring into the classroom that might make learning fun and efficient.

Credits & References

Thank you to SparkNotes, Purple Math, and WritingFix for allowing the links provided in this WebQuest. A very special thanks to The WebQuest Page and the Design Patterns for providing the template for this webquest.

A Statement to All Facilitators:

"We all benefit by being generous with our work. Permission is hereby granted for other educators to copy this WebQuest, update or otherwise modify it, and post it elsewhere provided that the original author's name is retained along with a link back to the original URL of this WebQuest. On the line after the original author's name, you may add Wanda J. Milliman, 3/27/06. If you do modify it, please let me know via email to Email Ms. Milliman with Questions or Suggestions and provide the new URL."

Last updated 03/24/2006 14:20:29. Based on a template from The WebQuest Page