Standard+1

Home Standard 1 Standard 2 Standard 3 Standard 4 Standard 5 Standard 6 Standard 7 Standard 8 Standard 9 Standard10

The teacher understands the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of the disciplines she or he teaches and can create learning experiences that make these aspects of subject matter meaningful for pupils.
 * Standard 1: Teachers know the subjects they are teaching.**


 * Evidence**: [|stockmarketlessonplan.doc]


 * Rationale:** This is a lesson plan created for my high school Algebra class that uses the stock market to analyze linear equations. It took three class periods and then one class period every two weeks for three months. I went over the basics of the stock market by talking about it in class and doing some activities. I then gave each student $100,000 of virtual money to invest based on what they learned about the stock market. They were expected to keep track of their investments and create a portfolio in which they discussed how their research was done, what stocks they picked and why, and the results of their investments. They also had to include a reflection piece where they discussed what they learned from the project and what they wanted to learn more about. For each stock purchased, students created a graph of stock prices, vs. time along with the calculated slope (rise/run) of each graph. They also had to include one three dimensional graph. Students then used the slope to analyze trends and make future predictions.

Students loved this lesson in that they were in control of what stocks they picked. It became a competition amongst the class to see who could make the most money which was really interesting to watch. It was neat to see them apply the concepts they learned in math class to other areas of interest and to other subject areas such as economics. Students really felt that they benefited from this lesson and wanted to watch their stocks the whole year. This helped my development as a teacher because I found a great way to incorporate the content standard into something that my students were interested in. It gave me a better understanding of what the students knew about the unit and allowed me to sit back and watch as they created really neat projects with what they had learned in class.

**KSD:**

**1.K.3 The teacher relates his/her disciplinary knowledge to other subject areas.** With this lesson plan the students were able to take what they learned in math class about linear equations and apply it to the stock market. They had to research and make economical decisions on what stocks would make them the most profit.

This lesson allowed the students to integrate the math concepts they learned to other subject areas such as economics. They had to learn about the stock market and combine this knowledge with what they learned in math to make educational choices when investing their money.
 * 1.S.6 The teacher creates an interdisciplinary learning experience, that encourages students to integrate knowledge, skills, and methods of inquiry from several subject areas.**

Students were able to see how they could apply their knowledge of linear equations to the real world. They saw the benefit of using linear equations to make future predictions which allowed them to make better choices in their investments. They learned how to wisely invest their money.
 * 1.D.3 The teacher has enthusiasm for the discipline(s) s/he teaches and sees connections to everyday life.**