Great Resource-Geometry!

I needed something that was quick and easy for my students to do as they entered the room.  We had just discussed the way that you classify triangles by sides and angles.  I wanted to do a more hands on activity, but I was having printing issues so I found another resort. 

Since all of our students have computers, I had them go to a website and play a game.  Not much of a game really, but like a quiz.  Even though it was made for lower grade level, still did the trick.  The students had to do a screen shot of the score they got and I will give them points that way.  Quick, easy, and tested their vocabulary skills.

I went to visit the website more, and found that there are a lot of good skill building activities that they can do as well.

For the triangles activity, CLICK HERE.

To visit the main website, click here.

Pop Tab Project Update

So far our collection of pop tabs is going well.  From all the help of my Facebook friends and some others, we have counted 10,643 pop tabs!  We still have more that need to be counted.

So, how am I using this in my classes?  Great question!

Today in class, we made some predictions.  I have stored them in a safe place and once we have all our tabs, we will see who had the best prediction.  We also did some calculations.

This is 2,000 pop tabs!

I have been stringing the tabs onto fishing line in increments of 1,000.  I am not doing that all the way through but for now.  We then measured how long 1,000 pop tabs would be.  So far, I have 3 strands of 1,000.  We then averaged the numbers together to account for the different lengths.  Since we were dealing with 1,000 only, they had to times the average by 100 to get how many inches 100,000 would be.  We then converted it to feet.  Based on all of that, we are looking at 371 feet and 8 inches!

It just so happened admin walked in at that time.  She asked a football player if that would be longer than a football field or not.  So, they did some quick math and of course it was.  That made me think that to show the progress of our growing strands of pop tabs, we would go to the football field and get pictures there.

I am so excited about our project and hope that we reach our goal!

Barbie Bungee

Need a fun and creative idea for line of best fit?? I got you covered!!

This is a great activity that my math department does.  We have used it for Algebra 1 and Algebra 2, even some remediation classes.  It will take a whole block period but it is totally worth it.

The idea:  The students will predict how many rubber bands it will take for Barbie to safely bungee 460 cm.  You could change the distance if you want.  I like to tell them that they have to tie her feet because that is the proper way to bungee and we are not hanging barbie.  You will need at least 3 students in a group- one to hold barbie and drop her, two to watch where she hits, and one of the watchers can also be the recorder.

Once data is collect, the students will create a scatter plot and find the line of best fit.  From there, they can predict values.

This is a fun project.  It takes some preparation if you have not done it before but then after that it is a piece of cake.

I will add some pictures of the activity in action once we complete it on Tuesday!


Barbie Bungee

Stained Glass Window Project

This is always a fun project to do with linear equations.  It also provides some nice artwork to have around your room.

What is it?  This provides the students an opportunity to test their skills of graphing linear equations.  If you wanted to amp it up a bit, which I have done one year, is have the student actually write the equations out.  In other words, you give them some word problems to find the equations.

I typically provide the graph paper for my students, it can also just be printed off the internet as well.  It is super easy to grade.  The secret.....find an old over head projector transparency.  Use Sharpie marker to trace the lines and boom you got your answer key.

Enjoy!

Stained Glass Window

Geometry Time

With Common Core upon us, we have to make sure that students can use geometric tools. Time to bring out the proctors, compass, and straight edge.

Since we do not get technology for a few days, I figure now would be a great time to do some basic constructions.  I am hoping that with all the vocabulary in our first unit, I can have them search for it on the internet instead of just copying it down from me.

With our further ado, here is a packet that I made.  It is designed to take two block periods.  You will have to cover some basic vocabulary real quick so that they know what they are drawing.  I am also implementing some of the Workshop Model.  I am going to give them a quick overview of a section, like 5 minutes max, and then let them work.  After a while, go to the next section.  It will also help with attention spans.  Lots of back and forth between listening and then working.

Happy Constructions!!

Geometry Constructions

Advice Anyone??

OK, pop tab project is underway.  We have counted 8,000 tabs already and still have some for others to count.  However, my display idea is not going to work quite as I was hoping.  Fishing line works for 2,000 but it is getting way heavy, more than I thought it would.  Anyone have good advice on what can be used in lieu of fishing string?  I am thinking that I am going to have to do it in chunks.  It will work I guess.  I just do not want to do jugs because I want them to see just how it looks.  Help!!!  Thank you in advance.

Expression Representation

I attended a "meeting" this summer and got this activity.  I am going to use it over two, maybe three days.  I am going to have the students work it in shifts.  So many times students have difficulty thinking about all the ways to represent expressions and this is one great activity to help.

I made copies for each cluster of my desks.  I have 10 groups of 3 in all my classes.  I am going to give them card set A and B on the first day.  They will have to cut out all the pieces.  I am also going to give them a large sheet of paper.  I am going to have them glue them on.  To make it easier on you, make sure they glue card set A in numerical order.  Have them match set A to B.  There are blank cards on purpose.  Students need to fill in the blanks.  Once that is done, I will collect the posters.  I am checking work by walking around to make sure we do not have any uh-ohs.

The next day, I will then have them match set C to their other work.  And finally, have them match set D to previous work.  Of course this could all be done in one day but I think the idea of breaking it up among different blocks will work.

The students have now see all different ways of representing the same expression.  Yes, some of the cards work in multiple spots so it is interesting to see what happens.  Enjoy!

Expressions Representations