Rachel

How to Teach Surface Area Like a Rock Star

Last Modified: March 9, 2025 by Rachel

Surface area can be a very tricky concept for 7th grade minds. It has a lot of moving parts in it and sometimes it can feel like a little too too much. I feel like with this topic you really have to go back to finding area, and then work your way through a forest of prerequisite skills. At the end of the tunnel you’ll come out with them having an understanding of how to find the surface area of a 3D prism.

Also, with this topic in particular I think there are many ways to get it and each students should use the way that works for them. So, I like to use I Can Statements to chunk out the learning objectives, and help students progress towards mastery with finding surface area. Let’s walk through the lesson progression, using I Can Statements for Surface Area:

9 Ways to Make Teaching the Distance Formula Awesome

Last Modified: June 5, 2019 by Rachel

Do you want to make your unit about distance formula awesome? I know, I know- silly question. Well, I’ve got you covered. The goal of this post is to share a bunch of low prep and awesome ideas for teaching and practicing with the distance formula. While this topic baffles some, armed with these ideas you’ll engage your students for sure.

We’ve got a variety of activity types for practicing the distance formula, as well including anticipatory sets, modeling and teaching, and extension ideas. (For more ideas on how to plan your instruction, check out the post “Teaching the Distance Formula Using I Can Statements”.) Now, let’s get started with the list of activities:

Exploring the Distance Formula through Discovery

Last Modified: May 9, 2019 by Rachel

Do your students struggle to understand and remember the distance formula? Boy, have I been there. In this blog post I’m sharing with you a powerful way to teacher the distance formula that really pushes students to struggle productively and ultimately learn the distance formula at a deeper level. When students get to the place of struggle, and then you give them just a little support, then they understand and remember the distance formula more than ever before.

Teaching the Distance Formula Using I Can Statements

Last Modified: May 9, 2019 by Rachel

Every teacher has a topic that takes them time to figure out. The distance formula is one of mine- it’s taken me a few years to really figure out. I’ve wanted to make sure that my students understand it and not just that they can use it. This year, as I was planning for this topic with my I can statements, I started to see it more clearly. As a result, my teaching throughout this unit felt a lot better. I’d like to share with you how I used these I can statements to chunk the learning for students and keep them accountable. Plus, I’ll share with you some really great lesson ideas that will help students really see and understand the distance formula.

13 Pythagorean Theorem Activities for Your Classroom

Last Modified: February 23, 2022 by Rachel

Looking for ideas for teaching the Pythagorean Theorem? I’m so excited to share with you some of my favorite activities for this topic. This is one of my favorite things to teach all year, and it’s probably my favorite geometry topic of all time.

The Pythagorean Theorem is a very visual concept and students can be very successful with it. This list of 13 Pythagorean Theorem activities includes bell ringers, independent practice, partner activities, centers, or whole class fun. It also includes both printable and digital activities for the Pythagorean Theorem- so no matter how you’re having students practice, we’ve got you covered. [Read more…] about 13 Pythagorean Theorem Activities for Your Classroom