Ms. Barney's Lesson: Cost Per Unit

Before we jump into Ms. Barney's classroom, let's get to know a little bit about her first.

Ms. Barney's Biosketch: Helen began her professional life as a CPA, earning her degree in Accounting from Seton Hall and working in management positions for twenty years. She then decided to switch gears and use these management skills in a middle-school classroom. She earned her Multiple Subject Teaching Credential from California State University Long Beach, and was issued her Supplemental Math Credential by the State of California Teacher Credentialing.

Helen now teaches in Orange, California, at Yorba Middle School. She has coached girls sports teams including softball, soccer and basketball for grades 2 through high school. To top it off, she has a 20-year-old daughter.

Her quote to note: "It's a common phrase in all my classes--Attitude is Everything!"

Lesson Plan Summary: Ms. Barney's lesson on unit rates is successful because she uses several different approaches to provoke interest: literature, class discussion, modeling, pair-problem solving, and white board practice. (Kids LOVE the white boards.) She employs the use of a Shel Silverstein poem to engage student interest, and carefully sequences her lesson to increase student understanding. We think you'll agree-- you're in good hands with Ms. Barney. See the full lesson plan here for Ms. Barney's lesson, The Smart Son.

Classroom Setting: The lesson occurs in a third period Pre-Algebra course, consisting of 38 seventh grade students. Six students are English learners and another 32 are classified as Fluent English Proficient.

School Setting: Yorba Middle School, in the Orange Unified School District was renamed the Yorba Academy of the Arts to reflect their new direction. Approximately 67% of the 750 7-8 grade students are Hispanic.

Are you ready for your first glimpse into Ms. Barney's classroom? Click on the link below to be transported into a lesson that asks students to compare the cost per piece of two different packs of gum. (And no, you don't get to chew the gum in class.)

Cost Per Unit (1 minute)
Helen Barney: Barney 01