All Hands on Deck

Note: This lesson relates to "Heavy Metal"

	Historical Background on USS Constitution USS Constitution is the oldest commissioned warship afloat in the world. Carrying a crew of 450 men and over 50 guns, she was launched in 1797 to protect America's freedom on the seas. She was undefeated against the British in the War of 1812 and earned the nickname "Old Ironsides" when a sailor saw a cannon ball bounce off her thick, wooden hull during battle. When she was declared unseaworthy in 1828, she was saved by the American people who rallied for her preservation. After a long career, including capturing a slave ship, circumventing the globe, and serving as a military prison, she is now berthed in Boston and is open to the public. For more information, go to www.allhandsondeck.org, www.ussconstitutionmuseum.org, and www.ussconstitution.navy.mil.

Objectives
After completing this lesson, students will be able to:

	1.	Estimate and validate a number of concrete objects.
	2.	Compare the number of objects using symbols (>, <, =) .
	3.	Determine if there is an odd or even number of objects .
	4.	Demonstrate the various meanings of addition and subtractions solving the problems.

Massachusetts Math Curriculum Frameworks
Grades 1–2 Learning Standards: Number Sense and Operations
Students engage in problem solving, communicating, reasoning, connecting, and representing as they:

	•	2.N.4 Compare whole numbers using terms and symbols (e.g., less than, equal to, greater than: <, =, >).
	•	2.N.5 Identify odd and even numbers and determine whether a set of objects has an odd or even number of elements.
	•	2.N.7 Demonstrate an understanding of various meanings of addition and subtraction (e.g., addition as combination (plus, combined with, more); subtraction as comparison (how much less, how much more); equalizing (how many more are needed to make these equal); separation (how much remaining)).
	•	2.N.12 Estimate, calculate, and solve problems involving addition and subtraction of two-digit numbers. Describe differences between estimates and actual calculations.

Materials

	•	Worksheet (pdf): Estimating and Comparing Numbers of Objects: Gun Deck
	•	Worksheet (pdf): Estimating and Comparing Numbers of Objects: Spar Deck
	•	Math manipulative: plastic cubes, counters, etc.
	•	Optional: Popped popcorn, glue and construction paper

Procedure

The student will separately estimate the number of cannons on the Gun Deck and the Spar Deck. The student will validate the estimate by counting the cannons using various methods (e.g., counting by 1's, 2's, 5's, etc.). The student will add in order to find the total number of cannons on both decks, subtract to compare the number of cannons, use > or < symbols to show which deck has how many more or how many fewer cannons. The student will count the cannons on each deck to determine if it is an odd or even number of cannons on each deck.

Optional Representing Activity
The student will glue popped popcorn onto construction paper to represent each labeled deck showing which deck has the greater number of cannons compared to the other deck by using numbers and the > or < symbol.

Rubric for Evaluation and Analysis
Objective: The student will display knowledge of the necessary mathematical reasoning skills to correctly solve math problems by estimating the number of cannons in a group and verifying results using various meanings of addition and subtraction related to the study of the USS Constitution.

	3	The student displays knowledge of the necessary mathematical reasoning skills by solving the problem with the correct (appropriate) answer.
	2	The student displays knowledge of the necessary mathematical reasoning skills but solves the problem with an incorrect (inappropriate) answer.
	1	The student attempts to solve the problem but is unable to display the knowledge of the necessary mathematical reasoning skills.
	0	The student does not attempt to solve the problem.

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