Math Techniques and Strategies

Modular Robotics

2012-03-11T08:00:00.009-05:00

Cubelets are magnetic blocks that can be snapped together to make an endless variety of robots with no programming and no wires. You can build robots that drive around on a tabletop, respond to light, sound, and temperature, and have suprinsingly lifelike behavior. Each cubelet cube in the kit has different equipment on board and a different default behavior.

http://www.modrobotics.com/

Gold Rush Math

2012-03-10T08:00:00.014-06:00

Looking for a supplemental activity to round out your lesson plan about the Klondike Gold Rush? The following activities were designed by instructors for instructors limited by time and resources.

The activities appeal to a wide range of learning styles and meet many learning requirements. These activities make use of writing skills, reading, math, art, and physical education. Although arranged in a chronological order for following the gold rush story, individual activities can act as a stand alone components.

http://www.nps.gov/klse/forteachers/curriculumactivities.htm
http://www.nps.gov/klse/forteachers/otherresources.htm

Google+

2012-03-09T08:00:00.036-06:00

This post is to present information to students, faculty, and administration about how to maximize the use of Google+ for learning and connecting at your organization.

Google+ allows you to organize your contacts according to circles, video conference at google hangout, share google documents with others, have conversations with one another with stream, search within google plus.

You can share information with specific circles, gather questions with surveys with google, hold office hours with video conferencing (or with parents!!!), distance learning, review video with students to teach difficult concepts, have collaboritive writing with your students or collegues.

This is an easy way for students be engaged in school while they are out of school, meet classmates face to face before class even starts, share ideas with fellow teachers.

Start using Google+ in your classroom and school.

To create an account visit: www.google.com/+

To create a Google+ page for an organization visit: www.plus.google.com/pages/create

To learn more about Google+ for the university community, visit: www.google.com/+/learnmore/universities

For help, visit Google+ Support at: www.google.com/support/plus

PBiS

2012-03-08T08:00:00.012-06:00

PBiS stands for positive behavioral interventions and support for effective schoolwide interventions.

One of the foremost advances in school-wide discipline is the emphasis on school-wide systems of support that include proactive strategies for defining, teaching, and supporting appropriate student behaviors to create positive school environments. Instead of using a piecemeal approach of individual behavioral management plans, a continuum of positive behavior support for all students within a school is implemented in areas including the classroom and non-classroom settings (such as hallways, buses, and restrooms).

Positive behavior support is an application of a behaviorally-based systems approach to enhance the capacity of schools, families, and communities to design effective environments that improve the link between research-validated practices and the environments in which teaching and learning occurs. Attention is focused on creating and sustaining primary (school-wide), secondary (classroom), and tertiary (individual) systems of support that improve lifestyle results (personal, health, social, family, work, recreation) for all children and youth by making targeted behaviors less effective, efficient, and relevant, and desired behavior more functional.

http://service.columbia.k12.mo.us/pbs/pbis-lesson-plans/
http://www.pbismaryland.org/schoolexamples.htm
http://www.pbis.org/

Incentives

2012-03-07T08:00:00.008-06:00

Prizes and punishments are part of controversial topics for teachers and many teachers see extrinsic material rewards as an appropriate and effective way to manage behavior in the elementary classroom. Other teachers don't want to bribe their students to do work that they should be intrinsically motivated to do on their own.

In my classroom if a student does something well or I see that they should be rewarded for something I normally give the students a homework pass to use on a missed assignment or an assignment they forgot to turn in and this seems to motivate students to get a homework pass and keep it fair for students who don't get one. If homework passes aren't used and saved till the end of the semester they can use it on their final for 5 extra points.

Other incentives that I use in the classroom are educational computer games that I put on the smartboard if they finish their assignment they can play a game till the end of the period. If you have any suggestions or incentives that work in your classroom please post below.

Happy teaching!

Pedagogy Badges

2012-03-06T17:39:00.000-06:00

From connected learning, pedagogy badges (thinking about how we teach). These will address what outcomes we want our students to come away with and what experiences we want our students to have. Pedagogy badges allow teachers to codify our teaching and learning experiences.

Featured below is a Youtube video that presents all the information and kind of how it works.

Short Story Math

2012-03-06T08:00:00.014-06:00

Going off yesterdays post, if you are not comfortable using iPads in the classroom, or your school does not offer iPads in the classroom. You can still use historical math events in your classroom.

Have your students use real math history and create historical fiction mini-books where their creativity and imagination can grow. Other science-fiction writers have done this and they have become wildly popular with science fiction fans. Logicomix is a great example and use it as template for the students to write or draw for a historical perspective.

http://kasmana.people.cofc.edu/MATHFICT/search.php?orderby=title&go=yes&medium=ss
http://home.earthlink.net/~mathprose/index.htm
http://www.helium.com/knowledge/123682-short-stories-a-math-mystery

History of Math Comics

2012-03-05T08:00:00.020-06:00

Comic Book is a application on the iPad where you can take pictures or use pictures off the web to to put them together. A certain lesson can come from gathering different images and having your students put together a collage of different math historical events. Students from different levels can feel engaged in mathematics and get a sense of feeling apart of math.

Creating a rubric where students incorporate math they are learning and the history behind is a great way of incorporating both while using the students creativity.

Using comics to teach concepts: http://krambecktechtips.blogspot.com/2012/01/using-comics-to-teach-concepts.html

Hands Down

2012-03-04T08:00:00.011-06:00

Some of my students have been excited about a review game that I played when I was in school. Hands down is one way that all of my students can get engaged in the math classroom. I normally supplement Hands Down with jeopardy on the smartboard.

Smartboard has a notebook file that is free to download on their website, some jeopardy files are better and some are not as great.

I normally have all the students participate and have them in groups, where they have to turn in the assignment after we finish. I give out homework passes for students who win, but this turns out to normally be the same students, so I have begun to assign groups.

Good luck, Happy Teaching!!

GradeCam

2012-03-03T08:00:00.015-06:00

If you give tests using Scantron, you should give GradeCam a try. Set up a test and enter the information for the test, the student will print off a copy of the answers hold up the completed form and scan it in with student view. It will automatically give the students and your gradebook the score. It will give the students in a spread-sheet type format with the name, score, and percentage. The formatting allows for item analysis and analysis by student.

Give it a try in your classroom.

Happy Teaching!
http://interlockedpieces.com/?p=1387

Codes in Class

2012-03-02T08:00:00.025-06:00

Codes have been around for hundreds of centuries. I am currently reading The Code Book by Simon Singh and it paints an amazing portrayal of how we use codes now everyday when we go on the internet to phone calls, to making sure the https: is really secure.

Using simple code manipulation any student from 8th grade can accomplish this. At a particular school in Nebraska they use codes to cover WWII material and I thought this would be a great material for all schools.

Most people who major in math or education with a background in math, have to take a class called Number Theory which is the major component of modern codes, I happen to be taught by one of the contributors to the field of Number Theory and found the course stimulating along with applicational.

At the end of The Code book is examples for the reader to do, this one is a Caesar Shift Cipher, see if you can figure this one out?

MHILY LZA ZBHL XBPZXBL
MVYABUHL HWWPBZ JSHBKPBZ
JHLJBZ KPJABT HYJHUBT LZA
ULBAYVU.

Math Circles

2012-03-01T08:00:00.017-06:00

Math circles are a form of education enrichment and outreach that bring mathematicians and mathematical scientists into direct contact with pre-college students. These students, and sometimes their teachers, meet with mathematical professionals in an informal setting, after school or on weekends, to work on interesting problems or topics in mathematics. The goal is to get the students excited about mathematics, giving them a setting that encourages them to become better mathematicians.

"What you have been obliged to discover by yourself leaves a path in your mind which you can use again when the need arises." -G.C. Lichtenburg

More information about math circles can be found below:
http://www.mathcircles.org/
http://www.themathcircle.org/
http://mathcircle.berkeley.edu/

Fly Swatter

2012-02-29T08:00:00.017-06:00

Whiteboard Readiness Assessment: Buy a Fly Swatter.

What's the connection? A fly swatter can be used as a pre-test to determine if a teacher would fully utilize an Interactive Whiteboard in their classroom. If the teacher is able to get students up and moving with just a fly swatter, then incorporating a white board lesson will be second nature.

EdCampus

2012-02-28T08:00:00.018-06:00

EdCamps are shifts when a group of motivated people get in the same room and direct their own experience: They share what's working and what isn't. (They support each other.) It is inspirational and incredibly practical anyone can help and ask for support. Whether you are looking for ideas for middle schoolers or resources to help make the case for allowing social media in the classroom.

There is a current EdCamp in Omaha that I am attending March 24, 2012 at 9:00 AM at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. The link to register (which is free) is here at http://edcampomaha.wikispaces.com/.

(SAT) Student Assistance Team

2012-02-27T08:00:00.024-06:00

The student assistance team provide extra supports to students who are not making academic or behavioral gains with only classroom instruction. In the district that I teach at have currently set this in place for students, when teachers have concerns about a student academically/ behaviorally/ tardies/ absences/ or test taking abilities a teacher has the authority to fill out SAT paperwork and give students more guidance.

The student will have goals set in place and interventions if the student is not meeting these goals.

This has shown to work for some students and not for others, does anyone have any good practical interventions set for students who fail to make goals that work better?

Erase Board Activities

2012-02-26T08:00:00.013-06:00

This is just introductory information for teachers who are interested in introducing more dry erase activities in to their classroom. Dry erase boards we all know present information in an animated fashion. Since I am not a an expert in this area I am going to provide you with links that will get you to the places that you need.

http://www.eraseboards.com/content/view/88/52/
http://www.tips-for-teachers.com/guided_math_groups.htm
http://www.crayola.com/products/splash/educator/dry_erase_activity_center/

Equation Relays

2012-02-25T08:00:00.013-06:00

This is a small activity a teacher in my building was lucky enough to share with me, equation relays. The way she did equation relays in her classroom was give a row of students an equation and when the student is done with one step of the equation they hand the paper to the next person behind them until the equation is complete. The students show the teacher and if it is not correct then the next person has a chance to fix the problem.

The first row to get it correct wins that round.

Try this in your classroom and report back to how equation relays goes in your classes.

Happy Teaching!!

Read Posters

2012-02-24T08:00:00.012-06:00

Read posters are a great way to get your students interested in reading. Reading is a great resources that your students use in every class. This year my district has moved to put Read posters around the school with the teachers as the cover and their favorite book in their hands.

I thought this was a great way to get students interested in math books, not math books like the ones they have in school, but fiction and non-fiction books in math that will teach them something most people don't know. I was contemplating having the math club at the local school pick up a math club book of the month for the students to read and connect more with math.

Subject Specific iPad apps

2012-02-23T13:22:00.000-06:00

Use this link here http://blog.simplek12.com/education/the-best-subject-specific-ipad-apps-for-education/ to post your favorite iPad apps that you use in your math classroom.

This should end up being a great resource for teachers to use.

There aren't many great iPad apps for secondary teachers of math, let your voice be heard.

Notebook Quizzes

2012-02-23T08:00:00.014-06:00

Notebook quizzes can be many things, but mainly I see them as fair tools of assessments since I am presenting the lecture the same to all the students. This makes students take notes and stay more organized. The other reason why we have math notebook quizzes is that it holds the students accountable and having them for warm-ups or objectives at the beginning of class.

Other ways notebook quizzes can be done is just be checking the warm up and handing in the papers on which they get.

Other great links to websites can be found below:
http://www.beansroom.com/classes/odd/7-8/math/7pdf/Docs/Altasmt/P2xxa011.pdf
http://www.elmousa.com/files/ShowMeGreatLessons!.pdf (ANOTHER GREAT RESOURCE)
http://its.leesummit.k12.mo.us/smartboard.htm
http://www.cengagesites.com/academic/assets/sites/FortifyingtheFirstFive2011.pdf (GREAT RESOURCE)

Inverted Pyramid

2012-02-22T08:00:00.021-06:00

All teachers know the difference between closed and open questions. Stimulating open questions in the math classroom produces deeper thought than a typical math classroom. These qualities are listed below for good questioning strategies and infusing math classes with open classrooms and activities targets higher ordered thinking skills.

Good questioning strategies:

might be more than one acceptable answer.
students are asked to apply what they know to a new and challenging situation.
students bring together and synthesize a range of math concepts.
questioning might trigger student driven investigations and exploration.
students might learn something new about math.
the teacher will learn new problem-solving skills.

Flipping blooms taxonomy you can create a hierarchy known as the inverted pyramid and it indicates where students should master and be at by the time they finish the subject matter.

More information can be found here at this link: http://www.educationworld.com/a_curr/mathchat/mathchat026.shtml

"Math-ing"

2012-02-21T08:00:00.012-06:00

"Math-ing" is not a term I am guessing very many know about and in fact no one knows what it is, but you!

There have been terms such as "planking", "tebowing", "snailing", and "owling." Where people pose and have a good time doing it as well. Math-ing is a term for teachers though, I was trying to think of a creative way to get students motivated to do math by having them perform some sort of thing equivalent to "planking" in the classroom so they know that they are in math class and it is time to learn math.

If you have any ideas be free to post below! (In fact it is encouraged)

Homeroom Activities

2012-02-20T08:00:00.016-06:00

Homeroom can be a place of dread or a family community, and it all depends on what teacher you have for homeroom. Way back when in highschool I had an excellent teacher and we played fantasy football throughout the fall and I thought it was the best. Here are other activities you and your students can do to make homeroom a more enjoyable place for the both of you.

http://www.proteacher.net/discussions/showthread.php?t=1685
http://forums.atozteacherstuff.com/showthread.php?t=121740
http://www.scribd.com/doc/20432407/Homeroom-Activities
http://www.ehow.com/way_5397753_homeroom-activities.html

Dancing in Math Class

2012-02-19T08:00:00.019-06:00

Music and dancing is a vital proactive way to support the arts, by reviewing studies music has a positive impact on areas considered outside of the realm of music. The use of arts and dancing throughout the curriculum, as a tool for better learning, is an area that will expand. Dancing in math class can get students excited about math and use these tools available for a more effective method of education.

Dancing releases endorphin's in the brain causing them to spread all over the body, making students happier. Dancing to a song, especially in my classroom something that it student friendly is currently Natasha Bedingfield a Pocket full of Sunshine.

Whole Brain Slope

2012-02-18T08:00:00.018-06:00

Whole brain slope, is an activity while observing a teacher in my district and was wondering how students could more easily understand no slope, positive slope, negative slope, and zero slope. I came up with this activity that involves the students getting motivated and the teacher has to play a long with the scenario as well.

To understand, we must put ourselves in the shoes of a downhill skier. First of all we always move from right to left across the graph.

First for positive slope we have to up the mountain, why is it positive you may ask? We are gaining in altitude to get the best ski possible. The action is climbing up the mountain, some small steps, some big steps.

Secondly, for negative slope: We are going down (losing altitude) so what are we doing we are skiing. The action is some bunny slopes moving left to right slightly hunched over.

Third, zero slope. Who goes skiing on a flat surface, the action is to stand there and look around, because the skier is bored.

Lastly, no slope, WHAT WE ARE FALLING, OH MY GOD NOOOOOO..... the action is falling, who would ever ski on a slope like this and fall to the ground splat.

Some students like the activity, some don't, I aim to please even if it is just a few.

Numb3rs Lessons

2012-02-17T08:00:00.018-06:00

We all use math every day; to predict weather, to tell time, to handle money. Math is more than formulas or equations; it's logic, it's rationality, it's using your mind to solve the biggest mysteries we know. The TV show Numb3rs begins each week with this quote. There are pre-developed lessons and materials on the mathematics behind each of the episodes of the series. Featured below are links to use these in your classroom.

http://www.math.cornell.edu/~numb3rs/
http://www.cbs.com/primetime/numb3rs/
http://numb3rs.wolfram.com/wolfram.html
http://education.ti.com/calculators/downloads/us/Activities/Search/Subject
https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0Byr64NS5GlivY2ZhYzEyN2EtMmIyYi00NzA2LThkOTYtZjY5N2Y0ZjJjY2Uz&hl=en_US

There is an article published by NCTM where Texas Instruments leads a math education initiative based on the TV show Numb3rs. The program includes TI and NCTM developed math education activities that student-based on the TV show and the math presented in each episode.

http://www.nctm.org/news/content.aspx?id=706

Row Algebra

2012-02-16T08:00:00.017-06:00

Row algebra is a game that I have been contemplating doing in my classroom. I would give five or so students a set of cards and time them and they have to line up greatest to least in order of their solution on their card.

Students must show their answer on an individual white board, with their work of course.

This not only involves team work, but the students sitting at their desks do the problems as well helping some of the students whose work was wrong and helping to get them to the spot they need to be.

This activity includes teamwork, individual work, and of course math.

Hope you try this in your classroom!! Post below with changes or extras you added to make row algebra better.

Quiet Classes

2012-02-15T08:00:00.017-06:00

Featured below are games you can play inside the classroom if it is too cold or wet to go outside, or just need to let your students have a brain break. With winter here and even though most of the United States is snow free in the middle of January here are some indoor quiet classroom games you can play with your students.

Follow the links below:
http://www.proteacher.net/discussions/showthread.php?t=121931
http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/quiet_games_and_activities.htm
http://k6educators.about.com/cs/classroommanageme3/a/nonverbalmethod.htm
http://www.ehow.com/list_6072197_quiet-classroom-games.html
http://www.proteacher.org/c/244_indoor_recess_games.html

Flipped Classroom

2012-02-14T08:00:00.022-06:00

Flipping a classroom is not a teaching technique, it is more in line with a philosophy or way of teaching. It involves using technology as a tool, not the main focus, for helping students increase their understanding of science or math concepts. Effective use of this way of thinking helps reduce student anxiety and frustration when studying math, especially when homework is involved.

Lecturing does not equal learning.

Homework can be based in the classroom where the teacher can help the students with their homework and be more readily available to help them understand. Using Khan classroom I flip some of my lessons where the goal of the lesson is to have them watch the lesson on Khan Academy and come back to school to do the lesson in the classroom.

If you have flipped a lesson or your whole classroom, or are thinking about flipping your classroom feel free to post below.

Happy Teaching!!

Pre-Testing

2012-02-13T08:00:00.028-06:00

Many educators believe that the best and most effective lesson plans are those which begin with the final assessment in mind. In other words, teachers should know what they want to test before creating their actual lesson content. An important part of the lesson planning process should be creating practical pretests.

Pretests should allow the teacher to see what needs to be covered and what the students have already mastered. Pretests help measure true learning and how effective teachers are. Pretests can give students a preview of what will be expected of them. Pretests can help generate ideas for future lessons.

As you write pretests remember their purpose. If you are going to allow students to skip lessons, you will want to create a thorough pretest. If you are using the pretest for comparison to the posttest then you will want similar questions on both. Pretests can be effective tools and are an excellent way for teachers to grow in their field. By providing kids with pretests and using that information wisely, you can give students better and more individualized instruction.

http://712educators.about.com/cs/assessment/a/assessments.htm
http://harvey-craft.suite101.com/improve-instruction-with-pretests-and-posttests-a184668
http://www.gifted.uconn.edu/siegle/CurriculumCompacting/8steps.html

Interviewing a Math Historian

2012-02-12T08:00:00.013-06:00

Interviewing a math historian isn't exactly what it sounds like, but it comes close enough to the title for me. The reason for this is to interview a grandparent and ask them the math they did in school and the highest level of education they had. The interviewer asks questions like how they had to solve problems and if they liked math or did not like math. The interviewer then writes a paper on certain guidelines and questions and then can either present their findings to the class or just write a 5 or so page paper and reflection of what they learned and took away from the experience.

Evaluating Math Websites

2012-02-11T08:00:00.016-06:00

Evaluating math websites allows students use evaluation skills and inspiration graphic organizer skills in evaluating a selected material of three math websites that the teacher chooses. Instead of always turning to the book that may or may not be incomplete or wrong, the internet is full of websites that are entertaining and educational. Wouldn't it be great if your teacher let you use these websites in class or your parents would let you use them instead of studying a math book?

Process

Choose a partner
Browse through the math websites taking no longer than 10 min. on each site.
Select a website you would better wish to evaluate.
Spend more time doing activities on the site, fill out an evaluation with your partner and write comments on your evaluation form to help you design your graphic organizer later.
Go to inspiration organizer and display the data you and your partner have collected.
Upload the file to the class website.

You can find the evaluation here http://questgarden.com/21/46/4/060405163814/evaluation.htm

There are many math websites on the internet that are fun and educational. Convince your parents to let you use the internet to practice math.

AP Discussion Boards

2012-02-10T08:00:00.020-06:00

Discussion boards is a great way to get your questions answered, especially for students. It would be a great idea to set up a discussion board for just you classes or school, but most of the time the discussion boards are online and for everyone. There are discussion boards for AP Calculus listed below. This is great for teachers who haven't taught Calculus in a while or learned calculus a long time ago.

http://mathforum.org/kb/forum.jspa?forumID=63
http://www.mszhao.com/calculus.cfm (Great links on the side of the website!)
http://professionals.collegeboard.com/prof-dev/workshops/math/ap-calculus (Professional Development)
http://www.classjump.com/w/wilsonsworkroom/?section=classes&class_id=57596 (PD)
http://www.ilearnmath.net/help/index.php

Emails Home

2012-02-09T08:00:00.026-06:00

Teachers don't necessarily love sending emails home to the student's parents. But, I love sending emails home to parents! To get the students motivated in class for a bell work, I tell them if they participate during the week I will send an email home to the parents notifying that you participated in class. I normally send a very short email notifying the parent that they did participate in class and it gives the teacher an open door in to easy communication between the parents and the teacher.

Most of the time the student who will get emails home notifying the parent of misbehavior is the first to step up in my classroom and the parents are normally shocked and grateful for sending an email like that to them. This is one of the perks of being a teacher and sometimes showing the student to the parent in a new light. Even though I do sometimes have to email parents because of behavior, but the behavior issues have begun to fade because of the positive emails I send home. (The students are also grateful of the emails!)

Featured here is a link for email for parent-teacher communication: http://education.families.com/blog/email-for-parent-teacher-communication

Admin. Activities

2012-02-08T08:00:00.024-06:00

Being in administration is a difficult job. As principals, superintendents, athletic directors, and secretaries have the pleasure of dealing with discipline and running a school on a day-to-day basis that sometimes can drain your energy. Not only do you hire and fire teachers, but must retain a high quality of education in your school. Some of the best administration I have seen have been helpful for teachers reach their best potential.

One of the best principals I have encountered not only gave feedback for teachers, but gave them a diagnostic report of their teaching by giving feedback on which students they chose, where the teacher's eyes were when instructing the class, and even giving a tally on the number of boys and girls chosen in a class.

Education should not just be for the students, but everyday is a chance for the teacher to improve his/her skill in the classroom. Some links I have found if interested in the topic are featured below:

http://www.teachervision.fen.com/new-teacher/teaching-methods/44377.html
http://teaching.about.com/od/admin/tp/Role-Of-The-Principal.htm
http://www.education.com/reference/article/Ref_Improving_Teacher/

Needlework Math

2012-02-07T08:00:00.001-06:00

Mathematical ideas have been used as inspiration for a number of fiber arts including quilt making, knitting, cross-stitch, crochet, embroidery, and weaving. A wide range of mathematical concepts have been used as inspiration including topology, graph theory, number theory, and algebra.

There are many books out there that contain scholarly mathematical papers in tandem with fiber arts projects illustrating math concepts. Each different section features an overview of the craft, the mathematics entailed, ideas for teaching related mathematical concepts, and project directions.

I have been thinking about buying one of these books and seeing if it would help the students concretely understand some of the topics more. Featured below are some of the best websites and articles I could find on the web. Can you find what pattern they used on the image below?

http://www.toroidalsnark.net/mkbook.html
http://www.toroidalsnark.net/mathknit.html
http://illuminations.nctm.org/LessonDetail.aspx?id=L814

Using an Abacus

2012-02-06T08:00:00.001-06:00

Abacus's have been around for many centuries, and people have been doing math on them for that long as well. If I have a few days off in my classroom I have three or four abacuses in my room and put students into groups of three or four and normally borrow the classroom set of iPad's to use as well. I print off the QR codes for the following websites and students can play around with the abacus that they have in the group to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Sometimes if it is an advanced group I also have some them figure out how to use square roots on the abacus, which I have yet to do.

http://threesixty360.wordpress.com/2009/06/25/multiplying-on-an-abacus/

http://www.ehow.com/how_2053415_add-subtract-using-abacus.html

Photographic Memory

2012-02-05T08:00:00.027-06:00

In research currently there is a wearable video camera that is showing that may be able to slow Alzheimer's disease. When the wearer walks from room to room the video camera captures pictures of others and what the room looks like for visual cues for Alzheimer's patients.

To incorporate this idea in a high school classroom have a few presentation slides at the end of each lesson not only to check for understanding, but to quiz the students of their short term memory to recall certain pieces in certain slides. Sometimes when I enter the slides I ask what is missing and sometimes it is a concept word and other times it may be a picture in the corner that I changed or got rid of.

Mammogram Math

2012-02-04T08:00:00.019-06:00

I was reading an article in the current issue of Scientific American and the article I have seen numerous times of Bayes Theorem in the article, "Weighing the Positives." The full article is listed here: http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=weighing-the-positives

It goes over Bayes Theorem and how testing normally does more harm than good. Not saying if you are getting a screen test you should not take it seriously, because you should. But to illustrate the math behind screening tests there is an applet at http://math.temple.edu/~tub97278/two_4.html that shows how likely you have a disease based on how accurate the test is.

Play Doh Math

2012-02-03T08:00:00.012-06:00

I found this lesson on handsonmath.blogspot.com/2009/12/play-doh-algebra.html I would not recommend buying the lesson since the pictures above give you enough detail on what a lesson you could create on your own using Play-Doh and a few math problems.

I wouldn't recommend someone do an entire lesson with Play-Doh since it can get messy from time to time. But it is a great idea for students to be engaged when learning algebra and for students who like to use their hands when learning. Since it only involves two different materials it is easy and a great way for students to be excited about math!

Play Doh math is a

Energizing Brain Breaks

2012-02-02T08:00:00.019-06:00

Have you ever seen this sign in the road? Give'em a Brake. Every time I see it I think of the fact that we as teachers need to give our students a break. We teachers often feel like we can't afford to give our students a break. We need to get through the material. How many times have you said this? As a student my brain has never picked up things in long drawn out segments.

Energizing Brain Breaks gives students a break in the midst of concentrating intently which will help boost their efficiency. Not only this, but it will also give them something to look forward to everyday as well as help them to laugh and smile in class.

You can find all of the brain breaks at his blog featured here, I've started doing some of these in my classroom since it is block schedule and students need a break between sections of learning. Below is a YouTube video that I found shows the dynamic of Brain Breaks.

http://brainbreaks.blogspot.com/

Magic Tricks

2012-02-01T08:00:00.020-06:00

I have recently bought a book entitled Scarne's Tricks which is a magic book for adults and children. Some of the tricks in the book are a great way to get students energized about the upcoming section or lesson. There are great resources out there for math magic tricks to use in your classroom and teach your students. Some of the tricks are great for in-class lessons using algebra others use applets and plain knowledge.

A few resources to find some math magic tricks in your classroom can be found below:
http://www.cut-the-knot.org/arithmetic/rapid/magic.shtml
http://www.math-magic.com/pdf.htm
http://magictricksforbeginners.info/learn-magic-tricks/math-magic-tricks/

Wikis

2012-01-31T08:00:00.028-06:00

An intensely simple, accessible and collaborative hypertext tool Wiki software challenges and complexifies traditional notions of - as well as access to - authorship, editing, and publishing. Usurping official authorizing practices in the public domain poses fundamental - if not radical - questions for both academic theory and pedagogical practice.

Wikis work most effectively when students can assert meaningful autonomy over the process. This involves not just adjusting the technical configuration and delivery; it involves challenging the social norms and practices of the course as well.

A wiki is a collection of web pages that can be edited by anyone, at any time, from anywhere. The overriding goal of a wiki is to become a shared repository of knowledge with the knowledge base growing over time.

Some links are featured below on example wikis, tutorials, and other resources are featured below:
http://educationalwikis.wikispaces.com/Articles+and+Resources
http://educationalwikis.wikispaces.com/Examples+of+educational+wikis
http://educationalwikis.wikispaces.com/Educational+wiki+ideas

Math Ties

2012-01-30T08:00:00.001-06:00

Since I just posted about a week ago about math apparel, I found out that I left out something very important for a math teacher. That just happens to be mathematics ties. All students enjoy on a Thursday seeing a funky tie. On Thursdays I normally have a bet if the students behave well I will wear some weird tie or something like it, they especially like when I wear my spongebob squaretie.

But, I have a few ties that incorporate math and some links are followed below where you can look at and purchase math ties.
http://www.zazzle.com/funny+math+ties
http://www.zazzle.com/math+ties
http://www.scienceteecher.com/Math-Ties/
http://www.amazon.com/Math-Ties-B1-Problem-Solving/dp/0894556711

Digital Learning Day

2012-01-29T08:00:00.024-06:00

Digital Learning Day
February 1, 2012

On Tuesday there is a national awareness campaign to celebrate innovative teachers and instructional strategies. Technology has changed the way we do everything from grocery shopping, to listening to music, and reading books. It’s time to take action to leverage this potential with more innovative uses of technology in our nation's schools to ensure every student experiences personalized learning with great teaching.

Digital learning is best described as teaching practices that effectively use technology to advance the teaching profession and strengthen the teacher and student interface.

Toolkits for Teachers

Sign Up to pledge and say you are going to participate!

Digital Learning Day is not just for schools: learning takes place in many environments, so libraries, community or afterschool programs, and other groups along with parents and students are all invited. Sign up today, learn more, and join us for a celebration of innovation.

How to Win Friends

2012-01-28T08:00:00.031-06:00

The beginning instructor's teaching may be greatly facilitated or hampered by relationships with other personnel of the school.

Secretaries
They are the most important aids or barriers to getting things done. You will not establish a good relationship if you turn in work last minute. In planning giving the secretary ample time to plan how to schedule your task and meet other demands will establish a good report with. When beginning in your class the secretaries has tacit knowledge of how to cope with school bureaucracy that can be invaluable to you.

Librarians
You will occasionally wish to recommend or assign readings in library references. Sometimes instructors make assignments without informing the librarians, then librarians are frustrated with many students demanding a book that has already been taken out. Pre-course planning involves giving the library a list of books that will be required reading that the library can put on hold or reference for your class.

Custodians
Relationships with custodians are also important (maybe most important). Instructors complain about lack of chalk, messy rooms, or broken seats but teachers fail to recognize their own responsibilities in building maintenance.

Aggressive Students

2012-01-27T08:00:00.035-06:00

Every once in a while a class will include one or more students who seem to have a chip on their shoulder- who convey both verbally and non-verbal hostility towards you and the whole enterprise. What can you do?

The most common strategy teachers use is to ignore the situation even though this strategy can cause more disruptions in the long run. Other teachers use the situation to become better acquainted with the students and try to figure out the problem.

Whatever the strategy you use, it seems important to let the student know that you recognize him as an individual and that you are committed to his/her learning. Some tips are featured below:

State your position and recognize that not everyone will agree.
Present the issue to the class.
Admit that you may have been wrong and say that you will take time to reconsider and report back at the next class session.
Always listen to what the student has to say.

There are 8 different types of students who seek attention and students who dominate discussions:

Compliant students
Anxious dependent students
Discouraged workers
Independents
Heroes
Snipers
Silent students
Attention seekers

If anyone has any strategies on how they handle non-compliant students feel free to post below.

iPods and iPads

2012-01-26T08:00:00.022-06:00

There are many different applications and ways you can get students to learn with apples latest technology. iPods and iPads are a great way to get students engaged in classroom activities. Listed below are places to get activities for both technologies.
http://education.apple.com/ipad-learning/
http://perkinsdesignteam2.wikispaces.com/iPod+App+Challenge+Activity
http://esu17training.wikispaces.com/file/view/Curriculum%20Specific%20Free%20iPod%20Applications.pdf

Sometimes the only ways to use iPad's in the classroom is to write a grant, but most districts now have a cart like for laptops strictly for iPads. Here are some tips and tricks for using them: http://esu17training.wikispaces.com/file/view/iPod%20Touch%20Tips%20and%20Tricks.pdf

To get all these resources and more follow this link here: http://esu17training.wikispaces.com/Learning+with+the+iPod+and+iPad

Goodreads

2012-01-25T08:00:00.023-06:00

Are you trying to decide what to read next? Most of your students are. At http://www.goodreads.com/ you tell them what titles or genres you enjoyed in the past and they give you insightful recommendations. You can use facebook to link your friends reading to yours and see what you have in common.

There is trivia, quizzes, and quotes from different books. (Possibly helpful when you have to take a reading quiz)

In my classroom, some students of mine share similar tastes in books. I love non-fiction books and can not stand fiction books. I love reading about math, education, neurology, and brain research. I can recommend books to my students on what they might like to read. Creating a book club where students can openly talk about math books in a math classroom is a great way of incorporating reading in mathematics.

The book I am currently reading:

Twitter

2012-01-24T08:00:00.036-06:00

I have contemplated before setting up an educational twitter for this website and I always decide against it (for some reason). But lately I have wondered about setting up a twitter account for my classroom. I have found a website that has 50 ideas on using twitter in the classroom and these suggestions are starting to persuade me. I will give you a few to see if you are interested.

Point out interesting things in your classroom.
Share links to neat activities.
Don't tweet about yourself, talk about other people.
Promote students' stories.
Have more than one twitterer at your institution.
Ask questions, Twitter is great for getting opinions.
Follow interesting people.
Don't read every tweet.
3rd party clients make it easier to manage Twitter.
If you tweet all day you will not be popular with your boss.
You can never use twitter wrong.
Commenting on others' tweets, and retweeting is a great way to build community.
Twitter can augment parent feedback.
Twitter also helps with staff development.

You can use twitter as homework, post twitter questions as a classroom and have the students answer the questions outside of the classroom.

(50 Ideas on using Twitter) http://cooper-taylor.com/2008/08/50-ideas-on-using-twitter-for-education/

(30 ideas ppt) http://esu17training.wikispaces.com/file/view/30_Interesting_Ways_to_use_Twitter_in_the_Clas.ppt

Expo Markers

2012-01-23T08:00:00.027-06:00

Most of the time dry erase markers are boring, normally most teachers use green, black, red, and blue. But, sometimes there are unique things to do with Expo markers.

Make notes on your bathroom mirror
Make a pocket sized white board: put clear packing tape on a piece of paper or index card and write and erase.
Write vocabulary words on your shower door.
Write on your car's windshield, put information you need on the corners out of the direct sight of the vehicle.
You can use it to remove permanent marker.
Write down goals on the corners and check them off as you get done.

One great YouTube video I found is how to make an Expo marker light. This will freak your students out if you turn out the light during your presentation and use the expo marker as a light instead of a real expo marker.

Math Apparel

2012-01-22T08:00:00.002-06:00

Every teacher needs a little math apparel from time to time, normally on Pi day I wear a pi shirt or some other math shirt that makes me look a little more geeky than I already do. At first I didn't know where to find shirts that incorporates math very well, so featured below is an activity to do with students that features t-shirts and also some math apparel directed towards teachers.

First and foremost, here are some links that have great teacher math shirts for you:
http://store.math.com/Apparel-Math_Apparel.html
http://www.thinkgeek.com/tshirts-apparel/unisex/sciencemath/?cpg=wnrss
http://shop.cafepress.com/math
http://mathematicianspictures.com/Shirts_.htm

(I'm not sure of the prices, normally you have to pay 20$ at some of the sites and haven't yet found a cheap place to buy them.)

This activity comes from a blog that I follow that gives all sorts of activities that students enjoy.

http://handsonmath.blogspot.com/2011/08/using-t-shirts-to-teach-math-properties.html

It is just a picture on the link, so I will post the picture below, but they use the t-shirt to put the properties of math on them to help students learn. In algebra I have the t-shirt hanging with all the properties on them and use it as a word wall. Then I normally give the shirt away at the end of the year.

Wii in Mathematics

2012-01-21T08:00:00.017-06:00

Engaging a child in learning math can be a difficult task for any parent or teacher. A new video game, however, is something just about any kid is more than willing to try. Using the Nintendo Wii in classrooms is a great way to get students engaged in mathematics. Sixty-five percent of teachers think games could help them better engage students, but just one in ten percent use any sort of educational computer game in class, according to a recent survey.

There are many different games featured below at the following websites:
http://www.ehow.com/facts_5201674_math-games-wii.html
http://gbl.betterthanworksheets.com/wii-for-math
http://www.wiimaths.com/

Voki for Education

2012-01-20T08:00:00.023-06:00

Voki is used to create and share avatars for education. It helps motivate students and improve lesson comprehension and makes learning fun.

Voki Classroom allows you to manage students and have a login for students, so students don't have to register. You can include lessons and give assignments all on one page, once on their you can create lessons via can set to private to have just your classroom list.

There are premade lessons from other teachers you can visit here: http://www.voki.com/lesson_plans.php

There are blogs, classroom resources, and teacher tips to get your Voki going up fast and have students learn in or out of the classroom.

Google For Educators

2012-01-19T08:00:00.018-06:00

Google for educators is a seperate page, where google supports teachers in their efforts to empower students and expand the frontiers of human knowledge. Google for educators has many different resources such as tools for your classroom, classroom activities, classroom posters, and a teacher community.

You can find the link for the site here: http://www.google.com/educators/index.html

Google for Educators also has a teacher academy. The Google Teacher Academy is a free professional development experience designed to help primary and secondary teachers from around the globe get the most from innovative technologies.

Cyberlearning Summit

2012-01-18T09:00:00.021-06:00

Right now if you go to this link you enter your email address and you can watch the cyberlearning summit at http://cyberlearning.sri.com/webcast/.

There are many different topic areas they will be covering such as Educational Data Mining, Distributed Sensing, Digital Texts, Computational thinking, applications in education, games and virtual worlds, mobile learning, interactive media, simulations, social media, smart representations, visualizations, and much much more.

This cyberlearning is learning that is mediated by networked commuting and communication technologies. This cyberlearning is apart of the National Geographic Society. Where NSF has the potential to lead a new wave of STEM initiatives and lead in an increasingly crowded space of contributors.

The program of events is located here at http://cyberlearning.sri.com/w/index.php/Cyberlearning:January_2012_Program

Field Experiences

2012-01-18T08:00:00.035-06:00

Experiential learning has both cognitive and motivational goals. Educators hope that abstract concepts will become meaningful when students see that they are helpful in describing and understanding real life phenomena. Motivation is normally very high and students normally report a high level of interest in their field work. However, this normally doesn't carry over to classroom learning, and linking course concepts to field experiences is also difficult. Supervising this learning requires a balance of student independence and teacher control. One needs to give student freedom and have the students learn from their mistakes. Having them write a journal or article ensures that each project will be educational. Consideration of goals or values is necessary if one is to work cooperatively with students to structure and evaluate the experiential learning.

Peer Learning Techniques

2012-01-17T08:00:00.014-06:00

Many institutions of learning now promote instructional methods involving ‘active’ learning that present opportunities for students to formulate their own questions, discuss issues, explain their viewpoints, and engage in cooperative learning by working in teams on problems and projects. ‘Peer learning’ is a form of cooperative learning that enhances the value of student-student interaction and results in various advantageous learning outcomes.

Peer Learning Strategies:
Buzz Groups: large group of students is subdivided into smaller groups of 4-5 students to consider the issues surrounding a problem. After 20 minutes of discussion, one member of each sub-group presents their findings to the group.
Affinity Groups: Groups of 4–5 students are each assigned particular tasks to work on outside of formal contact time. At the next formal meeting with the teacher, the sub-group, or a group representative, presents the sub-group’s findings to the whole tutorial group.
Solution and Critic Groups: One sub-group is assigned a discussion topic for a tutorial and the other groups constitute ‘critics’ who observe, offer comments and evaluate the sub-group’s presentation.
Teach-Write-Discuss: At the end of a unit of instruction, students have to answer short questions and justify their answers. After working on the questions individually, students compare their answers with each other’s. A whole-class discussion subsequently examines the array of answers that still seem justifiable and the reasons for their validity.

Cheating

2012-01-16T08:00:00.027-06:00

There are many ways students try to cheat: passing information, writing information on skin or clothes, storing answers in calculators, looking at someone elses exam, or using hand code.

All teachers want to prevent cheating and not catch cheating, featured below are some tips to prevent students from cheating in your classroom.

Reduce the pressure of test-taking.
Make resonable demand and write resonable and interesting tests.
Develop group norms supporting honesty.
Change seating arrangements.
Use two or more different forms of the test.
Don't leave copies lying around your desk.

Most schools have policies on on cheating so check with them just in case the cheating does occur and if your school does not have a policy on cheating then create your own in your syllabus at the beginning of the year. This helps create a firm guideline in case one of your students does cheat.

Doodling in Math

2012-01-15T08:00:00.011-06:00

Doodling in Math is based on YouTube and the drawings of a girl named Vi Hart. Vi makes complicated concepts in math, look easy! I show the infinite series one of hers in class and the students liked it, it gave a better definition of infinity than the book did (who would have known).

One of my favorites is sick number games, it is featured below. It goes over prime numbers and the patterns of Pascal's Triangle and Floyd's Triangle.

Happy Teaching (have fun doodling in math)

SMART Board II

2012-01-14T08:00:00.013-06:00

SMART has been supporting educators by providing innovative products and services since 1991. The interactive whiteboards that teachers have in their classrooms immediately see their potential as instructional tools. Some of their great interactive lessons that help student engagement include the following tools:

Magnifyer
Vanishing Ink
Highlight tool
Shrink & Grow Animations
Hide/Reveal Strategies
Ink Aware
Pull Tabs
Ordering
Transparent Backgrounds

You can find all the tutorials on SMART technology and products here: http://www.smarttech.com/us/Resources/Training/Training+Search?Products=SMART%20Notebook%20collaborative%20learning%20software&Audience=All%20audiences&Budget=All%20budgets&Training%20Type=Free%20Resources

Active Learners, Large Classes

2012-01-13T08:00:00.039-06:00

As budgets drop, more and more teachers have to deal with large numbers of students enrolled in a single class. But, it always seems that class sizes always creep upward. Large classes are most likely to use lecture methods and less likely to use use discussion than small classes.

It is commonplace to suggest that the effect of class size depends on the method used, and its probably true that the size of the group is less critical for success of the lecture. Class size interacts with student characteristics. In general, large classes are not simply as effective for student retention of knowledge, critical thinking, and attitude change.

Some other effective lessons you can do in a large group include:

Pairing
Buzz Groups
Other Peer Learning Techniques

Quadratic Rap and Dance

2012-01-12T08:00:00.011-06:00

I like to incorporate dancing and learning kinetically is a great way for students to remember concepts, especially concepts they will have to know for multiple classes. In my classroom I have began to adopt this dance that is for the quadratic formula... it is a little quirky. First I demonstrate the parts to the students and then go through the steps of the gestures with them. Lastly, for an exit slip at the very end of the lesson I have them demonstrate the dance to me either as a class or sometimes individually. The dance is posted below.

10,000 Hours

2012-01-11T08:00:00.034-06:00

In the book Outliers by Malcom Gladwell, he explains that the key to success in any field is, to a large extent, a matter of practicing a specific task for a total of around 10,000 hours. Let's do some math!!

Now if you take this satistic and look at it very closely to our students. In a typical school setting they have math for 45 minutes which is 3/4 of an hour. Every school year is roughly 180 days, taking in to the fact that the students do no math outside of school, this is roughly over a 12 grade level you get (12 years)*(180 days)*(3/4 of an hour) which comes out to= 1620 hours of pure mathematic instruction. This is well under Malcom Gladwell's 10,000 of hours to success.

How can we change this in school?

Say we had year round schooling which ideally would be (365 days) for the same 12 grades. At the same rate we are only at 3,285 hours. But, if we extend the math period say to 2 hours we end up with 8,760 hours. Which is much, much closer to the 10,000 hour rule.

Now just for fun, some math fun, say we played soccer for 1.5 hours for 6 years, but only half the days which is roughly 182.5 you end up 1,642.5 hours, which is over the math we currently have in our schools.

Trigonometry Manipulatives

2012-01-10T08:00:00.032-06:00

Manipulatives are a way of teaching mathematics with a more hands-on approach. This helps to bring some of the more abstract ideas of mathematics into more of a concrete context. The purpose of these activities is for teachers to help their students to more easily understand the ideas and concepts of trigonometry and calculus with an activity that uses the senses to make it more concrete.

SOH CAH TOA
Trig Func.
Unit Circle
Other Manipulatives
Math Ed. Page

Manipulatives in mathematics are often though of as resources that are used in order to teach elementary level mathematics. They can be defined as "objects that can be touched and moved by students to introduce or reinforce a mathematical concept."

Augmented Reality Mathematics

2012-01-09T08:00:00.025-06:00

Augmented reality is normally using 3D glasses or some sort of technology that allows three dimensional geometric construction tool specifically designed for mathematics and geometry education. They help build spatail abilities which is an important component of human intelligence. The main goal of geometry education is to improve these spatial skills.

PBS Kids has launched a free augmented reality math application for the iPhones and iPod Touch devices. Designed for students in grades 1-3, the free multiplayer game uses the device's camera and overlaid graphics to create 3D imagery designed to reinforce early algebraic concepts. Helping students make a connection between real objects and numeric symbols.

Here is the link to the application for the iPhone and iPod Touch http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/fetch!-lunch-rush/id469089331

Math to Spanish

2012-01-08T08:00:00.027-06:00

There are many different ways as math teachers to make ourselves more accessible to all students. When making yourself more accessible to the students, making an impact with Hispanic students is a tough thing to do, especially if they are ESL students and new to the school. In this post, I will give you three resources that will help you make a deeper connections with the students.

http://www.123teachme.com/spanish_word_for/math is a site that teaches teachers different spanish phrases, for teachers to use during parent teacher conferences. (Even though there are only a few phrases it is still very powerful.)

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/languages/spanish/subjects/math.shtml is a site that relates numbers and math to words in Spanish. There are many different numbers and symbols that are specific to Spanish heritage. There are also pictures correlated to the words that make it easier to understand.

http://www.todos-math.org/resources is a resource guide for teachers to give students that incorporates many different links to pages that are dual language in English and Spanish. There are many different manipulatives and books that students can use to get ahead in class.

Clickers

2012-01-07T08:00:00.031-06:00

Implementing clickers in the classroom is a great way to keep student engagement high and check for understanding constantly. Some of the basics for clickers are featured below as well as tips and strategies for using them effectively in the classroom.

1. Keep slides short to optimize legibility.

2. Keep the number of answer options to five.

3. Do not make the questions overly complex.

4. Keep voting straightforward—systems allow complex branching, but keep it simple.

5. Allow sufficient time for students to answer questions.

6. Allow time for discussion between questions.

7. Encourage active discussion with the audience.

8. Do not ask too many questions; use them for the key points.

9. Position the questions at periodic intervals throughout the presentation.

10. Include an "answer now" prompt to differentiate between lecture slides and interactive polling slides.

11. Use a "correct answer" indicator to visually identify the appropriate answer.

12. Include a "response grid" so that students know their responses have registered.

13. Increase responsiveness by using a "countdown timer" that will close polling after a set amount of time.

14. Test the system in the proposed location to identify technical issues (lighting, signal interference, etc.)

15. On the actual day of the session, allow time to set out clickers and start system.

16. Rehearse actual presentation to make sure it will run smoothly.

17. Provide clear instructions on how to use the clickers to the audience.

18. Do not overuse the system or it will lose its "engagement" potential.

Clickers create discussion in peer discussion and you can expect learning gains in your classroom. There are many different types of clickers you can purchase, such as SMART clickers and clickers for every day use. Instructor opinions about clickers are featured below:

Better attendance, Less sleeping in class, Better classroom conversation, Active Participation, Better preparation for class

2012-01-06T08:00:00.022-06:00

is an online pin-board, where you can organize and share things that you love. There is a special part just for education. http://pinterest.com/all/?category=education

There are many different sections you can click on there is one for technology, science and nature, and history. I at least look at it once a day for different creative ideas that I can do with my students or something to make my classroom a little more organized.

I encourage you to join pintrest and help the education category have better selections especially for math teachers!!

Happy Teaching

Tips for SMART Notebook

2012-01-05T08:00:00.033-06:00

Tips for designing effective lessons activities using SMART Notebook software.

Include teachers' notes and lesson notes at the beginning of every lesson activity.

Documenting learning objectives and key lessons details will help you focus your lesson activity during both design and delivery. It also provides a clear overview of the lesson to others who may use the file.

Use links to improve the flow of a lesson.

You can significantly improve the flow and organization of your lesson by taking advantage of the linking capabilities in SMART Notebook software. You can link any object on a SMART Notebook page to a web page, an external file, an attached document or another page in the same file.

Attach supporting files to your SMART Notebook lesson before class.

Take time during a lesson to navigate files you wnat to show can be awkward and distracting. Your lesson can lose its momentum and students can lose their focus. To avoid this, attach files, shortcuts and Internet links to the Attachments tab of your SMART Notebook file. You can then open them with a single press. Everyone remains on track, and no time is wasted.

Use a consistent layout for lesson pages.

Using a consistent layout for SMART Notebook pages helps your students know where to look for information and keeps them focused on important content. SMART Notebook software includes several themes that you can use as templates, or you can create your own incorporating school colors, logos, and other objects.

Blogging on Blogging (BoB)

2012-01-04T08:00:00.036-06:00

This virtual space is composed of three sets of weblogs, or blogs: a classroom web space, where announcements are displayed and work of common interested is posted; a public, personal communication zone, where students post the results of their work or reflection; and a private personal space, reserved for students’ thoughts and teacher guidance.

Links to different school blogs: http://supportblogging.com/links+to+school+bloggers

Uses for Blogging in Education:

Teacher Communication
Dialogue Generation
Student Blogs
Teacher Blogs

For students, blogging gives them a voice, creates enthusiasm for writing and communication, engages student conversation and learning, empowers students, and provides an opportunity to teach about responsible journalism.

SmartBoard Angles

2012-01-03T08:00:00.017-06:00

On the following SmartBoard lesson, you must define oblique triangles using the eraser to erase away the white ink covering the words. The lesson is also missing the protractor to find the angle measures of the two pictures. A full lesson would include more angles and more pictures to find different angles.

Using real world objects, even taking pictures of the school or jungle gym outside is a great way to find obscure angles.

Smart Board Angles

Trigonometry Applications

2012-01-02T08:00:00.023-06:00

When one studies mathematics in grade school, one is compelled by the mystic combination of numbers and symbols that fit together in perfect harmony. The numbers and symbols that create and regulate rules and foundations of the universe itself is called arithmetic. But most mathematicians are stumped with mysterious functions, known among most people as trigonometry.

There are many different areas that use trigonometry such as astronomy, geography, engineering, and physics. Those are the most commonly used, but others such as surveyors, optics, chemistry, and the military uses it as well.

Some applications of trigonometry include GPS, force, distance between an object, how tall an object is, how far away an object is, and all sorts of use in physics and engineeering.

Some great resources are listed below:
http://www.clarku.edu/~djoyce/trig/
http://www.themathpage.com/aTrig/trigonometry.htm
http://www.maplesoft.com/applications/category.aspx?cid=155
http://illuminations.nctm.org/ActivityDetail.aspx?id=174

New Year, New Blog

2012-01-01T00:01:00.023-06:00

The New Year is among us.

Math Techniques and Strategies will be reforming and used to help you!

Post anything you want covered in depth or anything new you want to hear about below.

This year Math Techniques and Strategies will make you the best teacher at your school with new resources, technology, and strategies to improve your students engagement and grades.

Integrating Cell Phones

2011-12-31T08:00:00.029-06:00

Regardless of your school's cell phone policy, the reality in most schools is that students have phones in their pockets, purses, or hoodies. Why not get these tools out in plain sight and use them for good and not evil? Featured below are some easy tools and strategies to use cell phones in the classrooms.

Cell Phone Learning Strategies:
Recording Lectures: The "Flipped Classroom"
Many teachers are recording their lectures using video or audio and students listen to them outside of class as homework and in class they are completing the practice and the teacher serves as a guide.

Use Cell Phones as Your Students Response System
Using PollEverywhere.com and your student's cell phones, you can track instant answers from all your students. It's free for classrooms of 30 people or less.

Delivering Materials
As more curriculum materials are delivered digitally, creative teachers are delivering materials to students cell phones. SchoolTown is a learning platform that allows collaboration with each other using cell phones.

Avoiding Problems

use groups to avoid not everyone having their own cell phone.
wireless access for smartphone users will try to find a free wireless network instead of their own.
keeping cell phones appropriate and students should be reminded that every day use of technology.

Two other great resources if this intrigues you is http://thinkingmachine.pbworks.com/w/page/22187713/Think%20Mobile%20Phones%20for%20Learning and http://www.cellphonesinlearning.com/.

Angry Birds

2011-12-30T08:00:00.016-06:00

I have written a journal article for a journal. The following is about Angry Birds used to describe conic sections, especially parabolas. Featured below is the journal article, I have been trying to implement the use of Angry Birds on the schools iPad, but no luck so far.

I am not sure how conic sections will work if I try to implement Angry Birds on a big scale, if someone has any ideas about how to implement new strategies, I would gladly appreciate it.

Angry Birds

The Trigonometric Functions

2011-12-29T08:00:00.023-06:00

There are 6 trigonometric functions, the two basic functions are sine and cosine. By taking ratios and reciprocals of these functions, we obtain four other functions, called tangent, secant, cosecant, and cotangent.

Under the simplest definition, a trigonometric (triangle measuring) function, is one of the many functions that relate one non-right angle of a right triangle to the ratio of the lengths of any two sides of the triangle.

The relationship between an angle and side ratios in a right triangle is one of the most important ideas in trigonometry. Furthermore, trigonometric functions work for any right triangle.

Tips for Learning Trigonometry

Draw a lot!!
Learn the basics well.
Take care using your calculator.

Reference angles and the unit circle are valuable trigonometric tools. Every angle that exists has a specific value for its sine and cosine. Instead of calculating these values for every angle, we can find the value and reference angle of any angle, then use that knowledge to find the given angle. Reference angles provide us with a simpler way to calculate values. They use the unit circle with special relevance to functions, because its radius is one the functions are simplified when studied along the unit circle.

Facebook in Classrooms

2011-12-28T08:00:00.020-06:00

Facebook is the largest online social networking site and currently has over 400 million users. Facebook allows people to interact, share photos, and find people. In addition to using Facebook for social purposes, many people use it professionally for business networking. There is more How to Use Facebook located here at http://www.mahalo.com/how-to-use-facebook/.

Myspace and Facebook are forums that teenagers comfortably use to communicate with one another. Teachers can create class room MySpace or Facebook pages that students can access through their personal accounts. Using this medium of communication is a great way to relate to your students. You can find more information about using Myspace and Facebook Pages in the Classroom here at http://www.brighthub.com/education/k-12/articles/18955.aspx.

Other ways you should be using Facebook in your classroom is follow news feeds about relevant course material in order to keep current information flowing through the class. You can have many different resources including poll your classroom, create your own news source, follow news stories, and facilitate communication.

There are over 100 different ways to incorporate Facebook located here at www.onlinecollege.org

Learning Web Teams

2011-12-27T08:00:00.000-06:00

The Learning Web is apart of Nebraska's Statewide Professional Development Institute, the learning web project is teams of teachers participating in year-long action plans for technology integration. The team takes part in improvement of school goals, meets national staff development standards, and supports Marzano's instructional strategies.

The standards for staff development include: ongoing teams committed to school and district goals, one district team leader per team, managing resources, and designing appropriate learning strategies. Resources would include training, substitutes, stipends, and technology.

The learning web model has four phases. Exploration where teams attend the NETA spring conference, orientation and planning, attend sessions, and debrief and draft goals. Intense Study and Planning where teams attend a two day summer institute where they review Marzano strategies. Featured here http://tlw.k12.ne.us/ Develop action plan and timeline. Implement the training to the classroom. And hold a final sharing at the NETA conference gallery session. The database for all the projects is located at the above website.

African Fractals

2011-12-26T08:00:00.019-06:00

Fractals are geometric patterns that repeat on ever-shrinking scales. Many natural objects, like ferns, tree branches, and lung bronchial systems are shaped like fractals. Fractals can also be seen in many of the swirling patterns produced by computer graphics, and have become an important new tool for modeling in biology, geology, and other natural sciences.

In African Fractals, Eglash discusses fractal patterns that appear in widespread components of indigenous African culture, from braided hairstyles and kente cloth to counting systems and the design of homes and settlements.

Eglash cautioned that African-American students won't automatically be interested in fractals simply because they appear in African designs. He suggests that the most powerful potential of African fractal geometry comes from its opposition to biological determinism -- the assumption that math ability is genetically determined.

The website that features applets for students to manipulate fractals is http://csdt.rpi.edu/african/African_Fractals/

Christmas Math

2011-12-25T08:00:00.014-06:00

There are many, many different winter activities you can have your students engaged in till the countdown to Christmas. I normally have a countdown to Christmas break anyway and small worksheets and group activities helps bring a little more holiday cheers in to their lives.

In my classroom we do anything from big activities such as http://www.mathwire.com/seasonal/winter05.html and smaller more elementary activities such as http://www.animaljr.com/more-christmas-math-worksheets-patterns-and-addition/ which are great for reviews before and after finals. Lastly I normally have something for them to work on to stay busy and some markers or colored pencils are great to fill your classroom with colorful winter pictures featured here http://edhelper.com/Christmas.htm .

Have Happy Holidays
Enjoy your break
Happy Teaching

Pattern Recognition

2011-12-24T08:00:00.012-06:00

Pattern recognition, like inductive reasoning is more properly associated with science, not math. Recognizing patterns depends on remembered math facts. Recognizing the pattern in the sequence (5, 10, 17, 26, 37, 50, ...) requires a knowledge of perfect squares.

Pattern recognition is not directly teachable, but pattern-recognition skills improve as a byproduct of learning math facts. Thus if pattern recognition skills is the goal, teach genuine math facts.

For example Pascal's Triangle is a series of patterns and sequences.

For other pattern recognition worksheets and examples follow the link: http://www.kidzone.ws/prek_wrksht/math-readiness/patterns.htm

Calculus Websites

2011-12-23T08:00:00.000-06:00

Since I am teaching calculus for the first time next semester these are some helpful resources and hints that I have used to get ready for the classroom. If you have any other suggestions feel free to post them below.

http://www.calculus.org/ is a great resource to find step by step solutinos, calculus animations and applets, tips on preparing for exams, exams with solutions, tutorials, and aid for math problems.

http://www.karlscalculus.org/ has a section index that covers in depth and easy to explain trig functions, derivatives, integrals, and application of integrals with interactive features.

http://www.math.unl.edu/~shermiller2/calc/index.html is a UNL website that helps students get the most out of calculus and to make better use of study time and make aware of the resources available.

http://www.math.tamu.edu/~tom.vogel/gallery/gallery.html is a website for high school students of calculus pathologies that goes through the three semesters of calculus with in depth discussions on the topics the students will be covering.

http://www.centerofmath.org/video.html is a great website for video lectures that extends in to calculus and differential equations. Another site to look at is the Khan Academy.

Mathematicians

2011-12-22T08:00:00.016-06:00

Some of the greatest mathematicians of all time can be Isaac Newton, Archimedes, Carl Gauss, Leonhard Euler, Henri Poincare, Lagrange, Hilbert, Leibniz, Fermat, ect.

Some of the top mathematicians though still alive today is a great thing to talk about in your classrooms. Such as: Vladimir Arnol'd, John Conway, William Thurston, Alain Connes, and Ed Witten.

Some other honorable mentions would include:

Andrew Wiles
Donald Coxeter
Roger Penrose
Stephen Smale
Robert Langlands
Michael Freedman
Alexander Grothendieck

Im guessing there are other great mathematicians alive today, but the internet doesn't have one big site dedicated to the top mathematicians in their field (even though I personally would like to know who they are.)

I think a great end of the year project would be to make a report detailing mathematicians at the top of the field in your subject areas and get the students more interested in the subject matter.

Lil Wayne & Nicki Minaj

2011-12-21T11:30:00.000-06:00

Lil Wayne an Nicki Minaj have been named the teachers of the year this year for South Florida. The award from Better Education Place is based on several categories that the company maintains are important qualities for teachers to excel at, although the company recognized that the rappers could stand some improvement in terms of the content portion of the competition.

The article goes on to say, "Apparently students are drawn in by the ‘swagger.’ If you are a teacher today and you don’t have any swagger you are going to struggle to get your students attention."

Other categories that they were judged on the ability to capture and maintain attention, the ability to move their audience or create interaction, the ability to inspire, effective use of language, use of memory devices, and the ability to transform behavior.

You can find the article here: http://thisbeatgoes.com/hip-hop-news/florida-literacy-company-names-nicki-minaj-and-lil-wayne-teachers-of-the-year/

I want you to post your opinions below!

Playing Cards in Math

2011-12-21T08:00:00.017-06:00

Games with manipulatives are also valuable with helping students to apply what they learned to the real world, as well as provide a means to improve their math skills interactively. Using board games and card games along with cooperative learning are ways that students can become involved in a positive mathematical environment. Games are highly motivational to students and can be used effectively to practice specific skills.

Addition War—Players turn up two cards for each skirmish. The highest sum wins.
Advanced Addition War—Turn up three (or four) cards for each skirmish and add them together.
Subtraction War—Players turn up two cards and subtract the smaller number from the larger. This time, the greatest difference wins the skirmish.
Product War—Turn up two cards and multiply.
Advanced Product War—Turn up three (or four) cards and multiply.
Fraction War—Players turn up two cards and make a fraction, using the smaller card as the numerator. Greatest fraction wins the skirmish.
Improper Fraction War—Turn up two cards and make a fraction, using the larger card as the numerator. Greatest fraction wins.
Integer Addition War—Black cards are positive numbers; red cards are negative. The greatest sum wins. Remember that -2 is greater than -7.
Integer Product War—Black cards are positive numbers; red cards are negative. The greatest product wins. Remember that two negative numbers make a positive product.
Wild War—Players turn up three cards and may do whatever math manipulation they wish with the numbers. The greatest answer wins the skirmish.
Advanced Wild War—Black cards are positive numbers; red cards are negative numbers. Players turn up four cards (or five) and may do whatever math manipulation they wish with the numbers. The greatest answer wins the skirmish.
Reverse Wild War—Players turn up three cards (or four, or five) and may do whatever math manipulation they wish with the numbers. The answer with the lowest absolute value (closest to zero) wins the skirmish.
Multi-Digit War—Turn up two or three cards and create a 2-digit or 3-digit number.
Multi-Digit Subtraction War—Turn up three cards. Make two of them into a 2-digit number, then subtract the third. Example: Suppose you turn up 3,4, and 5. Should you arrange them as 54-3 or 45-3 or 35-4 or . . . ?
Multi-Digit Product War—Turn up three cards. Make two of them into a 2-digit number, then multiply by the third. Example: Suppose you turn up 3,4, and 5. Should you arrange them as 5×43 or 4×53 or 3×54 or . . . ?
Logarithm War—http://www.box.com/shared/ysuf6p39gl

Students with Visual Impairments

2011-12-20T08:00:00.021-06:00

This exploratory study investigated the techniques used by teachers of the visually impaired when administering math questions with graphics to students with blindness or low vision.

Teachers who gave students graphical math items and found a wide variance existed between teachers in the administering of mathematical test items with graphics to their students. The most prevalent teacher behaviors observed were teacher initiation and graph detail description. For the majority of the teacher initiated responses, teachers gave information on a specific detail of the math graphic.

Students predominantly asked for clarification regarding the math graphic itself or clarification of the math problem itself. Teachers used a variety of factors in determining if and when students required assistance during testing for large print or tactile graphics. No relationship was found between correct answers on the test and teacher variation scores but a strong, positive correlation existed for total test time and teacher variation scores.

90% of students using either both hands or mostly both hands when exploring the tactile graphic math problem. A horizontal movement was the primary direction students used when examining the tactile graphic. Recommendations were made regarding future research with large print and tactile graphics.

Learning to Love Math

2011-12-19T08:00:00.035-06:00

Has it ever seemed to you that some of your students are hardwired to not like math?

Some strategies that you can use in any grade level are:

Rehabilitate negative attitudes in math.
Reduce mistake anxiety.
Relate math to students interests and goals.

Other techniques you can use to change classroom attitude are: use relaxation techniques, humor, visuals, and stories. Increasing motivation and eliminate stress by using error-less math, estimation, and achievable challenges. Lastly differentiate your students skill levels by scaffolding, flexible grouping, and multisensory input.

Other strategies can be found at Learning to Love Math; Teaching Strategies that Change Student Attitudes by Judy Willis.

Rating Vocabulary

2011-12-18T08:00:00.015-06:00

Rating Vocabulary is a tool for identifying students' prior knowledge of academic and content vocabulary that they will encounter in a lesson or unit of instruction. The teacher can use this information to determine the need for vocabulary instruction.

Students rate the words post-lesson and pre-lesson to reflect on vocabulary growth.
Teacher checks student progress and adjust accordingly.
Students are held accountable for utilizing the words in their writing and speaking.

Remember to select vocabulary words that are ciritical to learning the content of the lesson.
Rating Vocabulary

Word Cubes

2011-12-17T08:00:00.022-06:00

As a teacher you walls can get covered quickly and most districts require all teachers to have a word wall. Well I am saying take back your walls. Don't rebel from word walls, they are incredibly effective for vocabulary and writing. But, most teachers have plenty of space in their classroom on their ceilings.
For example:

,but have them in your classroom and have the week or unit's vocabulary written on them. Word walls teach important principles about words and how they work. Word walls foster reading and writing and provide a visual map to help students remember connections between words and concepts.

Mysterious Possibilities

2011-12-16T08:00:00.018-06:00

The concept of mysterious possibilities is a pre-reading strategy. But, in the case of mathematics it is going to be a pre-lesson activity. I normally bring in real-world applications to a concept we are learning that day. (Since most mathematics appears in nature, its free). For example, if we are learning about Fibonacci Numbers, I display a pinecone, sunflower, and a spiral sea shell. I ask the students what do the objects have in common, what are their differences. The last question I ask them is what do you think the concept of the day is.

It has been proven that students learn better when their prior knowledge of objects is activated. This includes not only touch and visuals, but also sounds, smell, and taste as well. Activating all of the students senses when your teaching allows for channels to open up, for the students to remember better.

Ngram Viewer

2011-12-15T08:00:00.000-06:00

Have you ever wondered what types of math are trending (more popular) now, other than when Pythagoras was still alive. Now you can at http://books.google.com/ngrams . Ngrams is a viewer in google which takes words or phrases in which particular words appear.

Now if you were thinking about the Pythagorean theorem for example:

the following ngram shows that it didn't start gaining popularity and reach its peak in the 1990's. Now it is being used by scientists and mathematicians all over the world.

The ngram viewer takes history at its most rote and transforms all the history you know in to one small graph about it. That's incredibly powerful. Ngrams are going to change the way teachers teach math, history, language arts, and every other core subject. It's a gamechanger!

Determining Champions

2011-12-14T08:00:00.017-06:00

One of my favorite lessons that I teach is my probability and statistics unit on determining the world series champion. First off, I love baseball and when the Championship game is over, I am already craving more baseball. So before baseball starts up, I normally find a year that no student can determine the winner, but we use statistics to find the winner for that year (or pretty close). The winner (whoever is closest to the winners) gets a prize.

Attached below is a worksheet that I have used before to find the world series champion. The main objective in the lesson is not really math, but to have the students think abstractly about what else probability and statistics are used for and how they can help them in everyday life.

Happy Teaching!!
World Series

Coordinate Plane Battleship

2011-12-13T08:00:00.016-06:00

Attached further down the sheet a fun activity for students to use in your classroom. If students are struggling to find appropriate points on a coordinate plane, then have the students follow the directions on the sheet. They have to get use to knowing points on a coordinate plane to play.

Students find the worksheet engaging, since most of the the students have played Battleship before and instead of using their coordinate grid, I have my students use the (x,y) plane.

Enjoy the worksheet and Happy Teaching
Coordinate Plane Battleship

Post-It Mathematics

2011-12-12T08:00:00.027-06:00

As a teacher, you normally have an over abundance of post-it notes. At http://teachers.post-it.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/Post-it-Teachers/Home/All-Activities/?tag_SubjectMatter=Math the Post-It community has fun, free activities for teachers to use in their classroom. One of my favorites is listed below. There are over 400 activities listed at the link above to find out more about how to incorporate post-it notes in the classroom.

Fun with Pascal's Triangle
Students will be able to recognize and reproduce the integers, rows and columns of number patterns that make up the Pascal Triangle.
How it works:

Step 1: Tell the students that the rows and columns of integers that make up the triangle known as "Pascal's Triangle". Ask the students to look at Pascal‘s Triangle and find the many number patterns.

Step 2: Display Pascal’s Triangle chart on smart board or chart showing rows and columns of numbers via the overhead projector. Explain to the students that each row in the triangle begins and ends with the integer 1 and the inner numbers are always the sum of the two integers above it.

Step 3: Have students place Post-it® Notes in the formation of Pascal’s Triangle. Once the students show that they recognize this first pattern, show them that the numbers in alternating rows form columns that must be lined up under each other as the triangle is symmetrical.

Step 4: Discuss with the students that the sum of each two successive integers in the row above it is equal to the integer in the row below it and centered between the two integers.

Step 5: Have the students work in pairs trying to duplicate the Pascal’s Triangle using Post-it® Notes. One student looks a copy of Pascal’s Triangle while the other student tries to duplicate Pascal's Triangle. Students take turns showing covered missing numbers.

Step 6: The students use the Post-it® Notes to make his/her triangle after the lesson without referring back to the original triangle.

Assignment: Students can be shown how to identify some of the patterns in Pascal's Triangle and duplicate the triangle in a single lesson. They can then be encouraged to look for some of the many other patterns that exist in the triangle. Students can explore on their own.

Pop Culture in Math

2011-12-11T08:00:00.035-06:00

"Bringing pop culture into the classroom takes time. It means updating lessons with fresh material and finding the right examples to appeal to kids while covering essential materials." Caralee Adams in the Holiday Issue of Scholastic "Lessons in Pop." Teachers are always fighting pop culture in the classroom and its tough to incorporate pop culture in to 2000 year old math, but believing that one student will pay attention more is all the students need to get hooked on the material.

I observed once a teacher using a simple basketball term such as substitution, for substitution in math to solve equations. He said your x is like Derek Fischer of the Lakers, he is a great player, but who can you substitute in to take his place? Another equation already solved for him such as x=2y-4. When you substitute him in you can then solve for y.

Another situation when solving for equations is elimination. In my classroom I used elimination as the Bachelor or Bachelorette, when they don't choose someone and they go home they are eliminated from the competition such as when you have the following equations. 4y-2x=6 and 4y+6x=10, you can solve by eliminating the 4y from each equation. Good teaching makes the subject engaging.

Other types of pop culture that could be implemented into the curriculum is music, rhymes, MTV, current movies, books, and video games. Knowing what your students like and applying it to the classroom makes you seem more accessible to your students.

Cornell Note-taking Classroom

2011-12-10T08:00:00.000-06:00

In the math classroom things can get hectic and for school's and classrooms that do Cornell notes it is sometimes hard for students to accommodate a students note-taking process they way a teacher sets up their class.

I was thinking how can I make this a lesson, then I started thinking bigger in how can I model this everyday, wait. How can I make Cornell notes easier for students to use and be good at using.
It became clear to me that the note taking column is my SmartBoard in the classroom those are the notes the student will write down in their column. For some reason there is always a whiteboard behind the SmartBoard and you have these edges you can use the Cue Column for. I write the questions and headings on the side. For example: If the class was going over ASA and SSS, one of the questions on the side would be what are the tools you need for a ASA property?

The summary is the last part you cover in class, you summarize the lesson and go over the cue column on the left hand side. The summary can be a journal that you do at the end of class to check for understanding.

Graphing Museum

2011-12-09T08:00:00.018-06:00

To culminate a unit on graphing, students create a "Graphing Museum" for families and other classes at the school to enjoy. The students prepare different graphing "exhibits," some students are scheuled at different times, normally I schedule the graphing museum at parent teacher time. In the classroom we make bar-graph cookies for our semster with a blow out celebration. If you decide to have your own graphing museum make sure to post your experiences here!!

Happy Teaching!!

Classroom Management

2011-12-08T08:00:00.036-06:00

Sorry for those who are looking for math today, but this post is strictly for teachers. In the current issue of Instructor, they have an article selection of "What's the secrete to classroom management?" They asked middle school teachers how they keep preteens on task. A few of the opinions are stressed below:

Accentuate the Positive: Point out something great one student is doing and make a big deal out of it. The others will follow suit. If that doesnt work, stand on a deskand do somethign silly to get their attention.

Give the Right Prizes: Teachers often give what we think the kids will like- stickers, ice cream, etc. Try asking your students what reward they would like to recieve for good behavior. It might be shooting hoops or bringing in CDs to play.

"We vs. Me": Challenge students to work for 10 minutes (quietly), if the succeed they get a point, if someone talks the teacher gets a point. Whoever has the most points at the end of the week they get a prize.

Does anyone else have good ideas on classroom management, maybe more specifically in the math classroom?

Struggling Students

2011-12-07T08:00:00.014-06:00

Some of the characteristics of students who struggle with math problems normally fail to verify answers, counts fingers, reaches unreasonable answers, calculates poorly, skips rows when calculating. Some effective instructional approaches are as follows:

Sequencing Instructional Skills
Instructional Routines
Modeling
Practice and review
Teaching criterion

Other instructional procedures that helps struggling students are alternating teaching patterns, model "think aloud" processes, have students verbalize and imitate the steps in an algorithm, using manipulatives, and working with a partner.

Math Techniques and Strategies

Modular Robotics

Gold Rush Math

Google+

PBiS

Incentives

Pedagogy Badges

Short Story Math

History of Math Comics

Hands Down

GradeCam

Codes in Class

Math Circles

Fly Swatter

EdCampus

(SAT) Student Assistance Team

Erase Board Activities

Equation Relays

Read Posters

Subject Specific iPad apps

Notebook Quizzes

Inverted Pyramid

"Math-ing"

Homeroom Activities

Dancing in Math Class

Whole Brain Slope

Numb3rs Lessons

Row Algebra

Quiet Classes

Flipped Classroom

Pre-Testing

Interviewing a Math Historian

Evaluating Math Websites

AP Discussion Boards

Emails Home

Admin. Activities

Needlework Math

Using an Abacus

Photographic Memory

Mammogram Math

Play Doh Math

Energizing Brain Breaks

Magic Tricks

Wikis

Math Ties

Digital Learning Day

How to Win Friends

Aggressive Students

iPods and iPads

Goodreads

Twitter

Expo Markers

Math Apparel

Wii in Mathematics

Voki for Education

Google For Educators

Cyberlearning Summit

Field Experiences

Peer Learning Techniques

Cheating

Doodling in Math

SMART Board II

Active Learners, Large Classes

Quadratic Rap and Dance

10,000 Hours

Trigonometry Manipulatives

Augmented Reality Mathematics

Math to Spanish

Clickers

Pinterest

Tips for SMART Notebook

Blogging on Blogging (BoB)

SmartBoard Angles

Trigonometry Applications

New Year, New Blog

Integrating Cell Phones

Angry Birds

The Trigonometric Functions

Facebook in Classrooms

Learning Web Teams