Some of the students that I work with really struggle to do a lot of calculations. They have a hard time remembering a lot of steps when we do complicated algorithms. The topic of analyzing function graphs is one that they can get by just focusing on a few things. The graphs don’t have numbers on them. Instead, they’re based on the change in something over time (and sometimes it’s something besides time). [Read more…] about 7 Off the Chart Activities for Teaching Analyzing Function Graphs
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Teaching Linear versus Nonlinear Functions through Discovery
A few years ago when I was co-teaching with one of my colleagues I wanted to try out the concept of discovery learning. I saw something about it in the resources we were using. So, I thought we could give it a try.
We were going to be teaching the difference between linear and nonlinear functions. It seems like a really simple concept. You just look at the graph and if it’s a straight line, then it’s a linear function. And if it’s not a straight line, then it’s a nonlinear function. But, as all teachers know, nothing is that simple. You don’t just tell kids stuff and they remember it. You can’t just talk about something for 10 minutes and then kids remember forever. If it were that simple, then we really wouldn’t need teachers. [Read more…] about Teaching Linear versus Nonlinear Functions through Discovery
5 Activities to Make NOT Dividing by Zero Memorable
Usually, we teach kids how to do something. Then, every once in a while, we have to teach kids how to NOT do something. In 7th grade math, for example, one of the objectives is for students to know that you can’t divide by zero. That seems simple enough, but there isn’t a lot of meat there. How do you practice not dividing by zero? How do you make it memorable enough that students will remember? Well, I’ve searched out some ideas to make this concept truly memorable. Remember, kids don’t just remember something because we tell them. They have to have meaningful experiences with the concept. [Read more…] about 5 Activities to Make NOT Dividing by Zero Memorable
7 Activities to Make Linear versus Nonlinear a Breeze
I’m glad that we teach a standard that shows kids the difference between a linear and a nonlinear function. We really only work with linear functions in 8th grade, but it’s cool for them to understand that there are other types of functions. Also, I love this topic because everyone can get it. This means that you get the opportunity to build confidence in kids while you’re using mathematical words, so they feel like they are doing something advanced. I love introducing this topic through a discovery lab (which you can read about here). [Read more…] about 7 Activities to Make Linear versus Nonlinear a Breeze
13 Halloween Math Activities
Why I add Halloween fun to my middle school math classroom
My birthday is in late October, so it should be no surprise that I’ve always been a big fan of Halloween. Of course, my version of Halloween is fun and whimsical. You know, it’s like an explosion of orange and purple and pumpkins and candy corn. I’m not exactly into the horror version of Halloween. So, as a math teacher I like to bring in cute and fun Halloween by incorporating things like pumpkins, bats, not too gross zombies, spiders, cute witches, etc.
Through my many moons as a middle school teacher, teaching 6th, 7th and 8th grade, I find that students really appreciate this nod to their childhood. It can be super simple to incorporate Halloween through clipart, little trinkets, and themes to activities, but it can definitely pay off with students who are having fun while doing math. [Read more…] about 13 Halloween Math Activities
