Many of the Aligned Standards of Learning lend themselves to being combined with functional skills. These ASOLs also have the potential to be taught in fun and exciting ways. Consider the examples below as ways to engage your students and teach multiple skills at the same time.
Number and Number Sense
M-NS 14 The student will identify the ordinal positions first through twentieth, using an ordered set of objects.
Activity 1: Help students follow the progress of their favorite sports team. This could also include the teams at your own middle or high school. Use
a newspaper or print the team standings from the internet. Ask students to identify which team is in first place, second place, last place, etc. Ask stu- dents to identify the placement of their favorite teams.
Activity 2: Pass out an alphabetical list of students in your class. Ask students to identify who is listed first, fifth, tenth, etc.
Measurement
M-M 4 The student will compare two objects or events, using direct comparisons or nonstandard units of measure, according to one or more of the following attributes: length, height, weight, temperature.
Activity: Let students get hands-on and have fun with this activity. Select two or more students (or adults) for each and ask students to determine who: is tallest, has the longest shoe, has the heaviest backpack, has the cleanest desk, wears the thickest coat, has the deepest voice, etc. Turn this into a game and watch students have a great time as they learn.
A common question asked by teachers is, “How am I supposed to find time to teach functional skills and the ASOLs?”
Consider the following equation:
Academics + Functional Skills + High Interest Subject Matter = AWESOME LESSON!
Probability and Statistics
M-PS 4 The student will investigate, identify, and describe various forms of data collection in his/her world (e.g., recording daily temperature, lunch count, attendance, and favorite ice cream), using tables, picture graphs, and object graphs.
Activity: Assist students in surveying others (classmates, teachers, parents, school peers). At school, students may survey peers about their favorite cafeteria food or favorite school subject. Set up a table in the school or allow students to approach peers during lunch, recess, etc. There are wonderful social op- portunities here! After the survey is completed, help students interpret the results.
Additional Activities
T/TAC Online has many additional suggested activities for Math (and other content area) ASOLs. The activities are not only aligned with the ASOLs, but have been created by teachers who have used them successfully in their classes.
