Resources Needed: Computer with Internet hookup for each student, computer/LCD with Internet connection.

Exposition:

1. Introduce the Internet as the quickest way to search at this time.

2. Explain the calendar game.

3. Show examples of algebra in our life from the pre-picked Internet sources.

Experience:

4. Have the students peruse the Internet to find information dealing with algebra. Note: as long as they can defend it, the information can be tied to algebra as loosely as the students would like.

5. Have each student pick a site either that shows a practical use of algebra, a game that uses algebra, or a piece of algebra history.

Critical Thinking:

6. Students pair off into pre-assigned groups. At any one time, one partner is presenting his or her ideas and the other is taking notes and playing the devil's advocate.

7. Each student must defend the site chosen and explain using mathematical terminology why it is algebra until both feel like they understand.

Interactive Thinking:

8. Each group presents to the class their findings and gets feedback as to its effectiveness in connecting it to algebra. This part of the day will count as class participation points where there is an average of one such thing a day.

Assignment:

9. The groups must first pick one of the two sites that they have found on the Internet. Then they must prepare a presentation or project using one of the following: why they believe their lesson should be part of the general algebra curriculum, produce a workable copy of the game that the class will be able to play, demonstrate the actual use of algebra in its practical situation, or write a report on the facts of algebraic history they found. This project should be approximately two to three pages on paper, or a three to six minute presentation. Both students must be involved in the assignment. They have three days to hand it in.

10. After the presentations and the papers, there will be a question-answer session between the teacher and the pair. Both students should feel prepared to answer.

Resources:

Crecelius,E. (1999). Bean toss. http://www.col-ed.org/cur/math/math47.txt

Lanius, C. (1999). Algebra - fun with calendars. http://math.rice.edu/~lanius/Lessons/calen.html

Math Forum. (1999). Ask Dr. Math. http://forum.swarthmore.edu/dr.math/problems/trm7.22.96.html

Meehan. (1999). Girls to the fourth power. http://www.stanford.edu/~meehan/xyz/girls4.html