tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-519582652507903712024-03-11T11:08:40.225-05:00Teaching Statisticsdruinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12363634340959613461noreply@blogger.comBlogger615125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51958265250790371.post-9639995283723140452023-11-12T13:47:00.004-06:002023-11-12T13:47:29.143-06:00Creating a Connected Math Classroom - an NCTM Reflection<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhxtF62lNgqsuy31P95yRveLLgkklJrJ4FwE-jdGsBJmECW2AefPY_tXeKiETCJbEBuwqmylGUW8b-edHRnV8xLLxvybUOeihTOlM9TaFttTzvwqqLMqyAQyFktd6rJI2-9BbjJbFDQFDctMJ6sNLzRii-9wNRNBvrSqCoXO42x_abG-7gx7iHa_DKOtg" style="clear: right; display: inline; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhxtF62lNgqsuy31P95yRveLLgkklJrJ4FwE-jdGsBJmECW2AefPY_tXeKiETCJbEBuwqmylGUW8b-edHRnV8xLLxvybUOeihTOlM9TaFttTzvwqqLMqyAQyFktd6rJI2-9BbjJbFDQFDctMJ6sNLzRii-9wNRNBvrSqCoXO42x_abG-7gx7iHa_DKOtg" width="180" /></a> In October, I had the opportunity to visit Washington, DC to attend the NCTM annual conference. I'm blogging through some of the sessions I attended to help me process and reflect.</p><p>On Friday, I was excited to attend Rebecka Peterson's session. I've known Rebecka for many years and I've had the chance to hear her speak before, but I think her NCTM talk was the best one I've heard yet! Rebecka is a math teacher in my town and a dear friend... she also happens to be our National Teacher of the Year! Rebecka's talk was on Creating a Connected Math Classroom and it fit so perfectly with Tim Kanold's session Teaching with Heart and Soul! <br /></p><p>Rebecka started her talk with a quote that always makes me think of her - "Every day may not be good, but there's something good in every day." (You can <a href="https://onegoodthingteach.wordpress.com/author/rebeckamozdeh/">click here</a> to read her daily classroom reflections on the One Good Thing blog.) One of the things she mentioned that stuck was that the more time we take to notice the good, the more good we will notice. This reminded me of the cognitive idea of "frequency bias", where once you start looking for something, you see it everywhere. </p><p>The big theme of Rebecka's talk was Connections.... Connecting to our students, to parents / guardians, to the community, to ourselves, and to others. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhEcxKHgtkhivOxUBXN1jQLA35p7vvQElpSVnHK-8U5KNWt7QsfuTrI4MFTW2mXlTYf8pXiRubB9D8y40uD7oCRAmdnF5Dw2OkIqy5fyfqLjgVnrzbFnsq31T7Kk4fNEgMAzQYeUcoMGuXpvUIOl8dl-6A2jA5AElBmUJJopFBRYrTHjKxUVyjL-7CTzg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="685" data-original-width="1063" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhEcxKHgtkhivOxUBXN1jQLA35p7vvQElpSVnHK-8U5KNWt7QsfuTrI4MFTW2mXlTYf8pXiRubB9D8y40uD7oCRAmdnF5Dw2OkIqy5fyfqLjgVnrzbFnsq31T7Kk4fNEgMAzQYeUcoMGuXpvUIOl8dl-6A2jA5AElBmUJJopFBRYrTHjKxUVyjL-7CTzg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">With students, she looks for ways to get to know their stories. A few years ago, Rebecka started scheduling individual time for students to come in and introduce themselves to her and tell their stories. I admire her so much for this as that idea of scheduling 150 individual blocks seems so very daunting, but also so very powerful.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">She also mentioned parent connections through daily emails home as part of her "daily good things". I have done this in the past as well and it is super powerful. I got away from it a bit over the past few years, but I need to get back to it. In HS, parents don't always hear about the good stuff going on with their kiddos, so it's a great thing to be able to share that good news with them!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh8xvmRFojI-r3bf6zoCy5Ux2h7iQBvA7CBOJS_ArQrf7RrtnKxxuGBfxJ-4IFFi8jxEk4ENgxPFRO5MzJ_QpFhW9HuR4fmumBew1tMRX31Fycvq_7RvN8mOjo4ErCyFe3bKj68qZdC9LS5jRecFd5vrogGqVfVHBWnYMM-KseyZM9LAZTbZ81UHqyi7w" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="657" data-original-width="1071" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh8xvmRFojI-r3bf6zoCy5Ux2h7iQBvA7CBOJS_ArQrf7RrtnKxxuGBfxJ-4IFFi8jxEk4ENgxPFRO5MzJ_QpFhW9HuR4fmumBew1tMRX31Fycvq_7RvN8mOjo4ErCyFe3bKj68qZdC9LS5jRecFd5vrogGqVfVHBWnYMM-KseyZM9LAZTbZ81UHqyi7w" width="320" /></a></div>She also mentioned the impact of building community in your classroom - of students knowing how much they are loved and cared for. Little things like recognizing a birthday or the end-of-year traditions can really help to build that culture of caring.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Some of these ideas I've borrowed from her over the years, such as the holiday ornament, but others I'm definitely stealing moving forward! I love the idea of playing soft instrumental music and the thumbprint canvas - I really wish I had started that idea as a new teacher! Another idea I want to steal... I've had parents ask me to sign a copy of the book "Oh, the Places You'll Go" at the end of the year, but I never thought about turning that around and having my OWN yearly copy for each student to sign! What a brilliant idea! (Are there any other book suggestions for this?)<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi8tt0sK4pSaqGrzFVz2mjmxUK7vKwiceIe-U7RN6aZCpMVadmsd93n8pom2oUg3J9srImV_xTut5Q9lFx3eO0ncn5saZuKUQivdbRoDn4t46KjyLK9tRosdeQu1N7ZDcUZVq7-9cDe7a8s7I0KvW3jYFpJ68tYLqDX7Ilbq72uUA2kN2L-rt-AYOWyBw" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="492" data-original-width="1035" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi8tt0sK4pSaqGrzFVz2mjmxUK7vKwiceIe-U7RN6aZCpMVadmsd93n8pom2oUg3J9srImV_xTut5Q9lFx3eO0ncn5saZuKUQivdbRoDn4t46KjyLK9tRosdeQu1N7ZDcUZVq7-9cDe7a8s7I0KvW3jYFpJ68tYLqDX7Ilbq72uUA2kN2L-rt-AYOWyBw" width="320" /></a></div>She also talked about connecting students to themselves... having them reflect with things like their own One Good Thing journal or weekly exit tickets. I used to be really good with those, but time and energy gets away from us... I need to get back to it!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">One of the ideas I loved was her daily menu of activities, including the Tuesday Tips like sharing an easy cookie recipe or adulting tips like the gas tank arrow on your car. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiTYcHF84PeQDJXvMQ9CTTyLLwxCgMjkgwIVOIuIPoucGuXE5IRbaj55PXkaK-WAvwhhg1bi0OYgE8MXLE97NDKHk_ofTdCh4RP83mS39cAKdLkghzDHGo7T30UgNk5eHqnX4BwN9En5F6RFKRTtOGvR59fzhaOzbYDf0QSCgVhaB2gvEi10QbeO2m0Ag" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="435" data-original-width="939" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiTYcHF84PeQDJXvMQ9CTTyLLwxCgMjkgwIVOIuIPoucGuXE5IRbaj55PXkaK-WAvwhhg1bi0OYgE8MXLE97NDKHk_ofTdCh4RP83mS39cAKdLkghzDHGo7T30UgNk5eHqnX4BwN9En5F6RFKRTtOGvR59fzhaOzbYDf0QSCgVhaB2gvEi10QbeO2m0Ag" width="320" /></a></div>Rebecka also mentioned how important it was for us to connect to ourselves, which reminded me a LOT of Tim Kanold's Quadrant II time. <br /><br />One question she asked us was "What matters to you?", then ask ourselves how we can incorporate that into our weekly routine. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This was definitely one of my favorite sessions of NCTM because it gave so many practical and doable suggestions for how to build community in your classroom.<br /><br /><br /></div><br /></div><br /><br /></div><br /><br /></div><br /><br /></div></div></div><p></p>druinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12363634340959613461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51958265250790371.post-3326899718506392962023-11-11T10:56:00.005-06:002023-11-12T13:12:21.944-06:00Using Manipulatives in Geometry - an NCTM Reflection<p>In October, I had the opportunity to visit Washington, DC to attend the NCTM annual conference. I'm blogging through some of the sessions I attended to help me process and reflect.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgg_iE70Wy5ZSqmmk7PzlRAktLedfvRhmG52C4uqXjr46V9gUEB2IliZqfseqU16LU25xccUOBskhDoifBLn-SGQfzIB7yZF-bsyH939DJB4GbPv3qtWcPAlyUbmNRSGiD0Bkvbj1WstTheVeJhD9Au3QRIjeZYVdECUiala5GeQRWzI5co_xOEoechqA" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="1065" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgg_iE70Wy5ZSqmmk7PzlRAktLedfvRhmG52C4uqXjr46V9gUEB2IliZqfseqU16LU25xccUOBskhDoifBLn-SGQfzIB7yZF-bsyH939DJB4GbPv3qtWcPAlyUbmNRSGiD0Bkvbj1WstTheVeJhD9Au3QRIjeZYVdECUiala5GeQRWzI5co_xOEoechqA=w200-h150" width="200" /></a></div>One of my favorite sessions from the conference (and one of the few sessions where we actually DID math) was on Using Manipulatives in Geometry and was presented by Erin Schneider of CPM. I have long been a fan of the CPM curriculum and I wish it was available in my state!<p></p><p>One of the first activities we did was using an 8 foot length of yarn that had been tied into a large loop. Erin asked us to work with our team to use the yard to create the solids shown in the picture. This was a great team-building exercise and a great activity for post-lunch time on the first full day as it got us out of our seats, talking / communicating with other people, and using spatial reasoning. I jotted in my notes that this would be a fabulous first day of school activity (or first day of the SA/V unit) for my Honors Geometry kids, so please hold me accountable on this one!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiaHt37ufasMkyz-4u6gn1ogQHZsGYfLO456DlBRJjf4zu40H3sv8HRq1_QiwLdGCnnsmQmQC93hhFgF1meSxZ4l75enrHZjDAtbb9wowHnh20hiQcuBYRGtMvJjpCObGCTGTu4367teiRD1XLTi97ckckqsmc45jW2fM8Ake0mGLjQcM-_Smcf4smSEA" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiaHt37ufasMkyz-4u6gn1ogQHZsGYfLO456DlBRJjf4zu40H3sv8HRq1_QiwLdGCnnsmQmQC93hhFgF1meSxZ4l75enrHZjDAtbb9wowHnh20hiQcuBYRGtMvJjpCObGCTGTu4367teiRD1XLTi97ckckqsmc45jW2fM8Ake0mGLjQcM-_Smcf4smSEA" width="240" /></a></div>From there, she moved to talking about a Kaleidoscope and its use in Geometry. I remember LOVING my Kaleidoscope as a kid, but never thought about how I could use it in my classroom! She started with a video for us to notice/wonder, then we used hinged mirrors to create our own to explore polygons. (You can see her image at the bottom left of the collage. When I got home, I immediately searched Amazon for cheap mirrors that I could use. I found some plastic ones and when they arrived, I taped them together and started playing! Every student that has noticed the hinged mirror has been fascinated with it!<p></p><p>In the workshop, she was using it to explore polygons and central angles, but it could also be used to explore rotational / reflectional symmetry as well as building the Area Formula for Regular Polygons. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhxZU6YAAxsZy2W_urplkAWohP3P-fNucL30Z9dXri5Iegkkfp_KY8Ov0I_KzdNZpfoEyYitkGpb9R70JVg4Zb5Nfh2-CInVSi4q6onpvnSY2aVRl_VIvuLN1F2Tw6kVAo3_tCM7-CXu7L6S8g76xXsCmXYpmcbX_AYBxR_jZ_ED0tyE-RlGeATb1Hb_g" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhxZU6YAAxsZy2W_urplkAWohP3P-fNucL30Z9dXri5Iegkkfp_KY8Ov0I_KzdNZpfoEyYitkGpb9R70JVg4Zb5Nfh2-CInVSi4q6onpvnSY2aVRl_VIvuLN1F2Tw6kVAo3_tCM7-CXu7L6S8g76xXsCmXYpmcbX_AYBxR_jZ_ED0tyE-RlGeATb1Hb_g=w200-h200" width="200" /></a></div>We were already running out of time, so she shared some quick ideas on various topics before moving on to using a pantograph for dilations.<p></p><p>You can use 2 identical rubber bands and tie them together as seen at the upper right here. Draw a small pre-image (seen here as a small heart at the corner of the paper, then set the point of dilation (here, it was off the paper) with the knot of the rubber bands on top of the drawing. With your pen on the paper, use the knot to trace the pre-image and your pen will be tracing the enlarged image. Sadly, I've already done dilations in general, but this could be a fun way to introduce similar polygons, so I'm excited to try it!</p><p>As I said above, this was definitely one of my favorite sessions of the entire conference and I was able to walk away with ideas that I could easily implement, so I consider that a huge win!</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>druinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12363634340959613461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51958265250790371.post-27388903550999322302023-11-05T12:45:00.002-06:002023-11-05T12:45:25.402-06:00Teaching Math with Heart and Soul - an NCTM Reflection<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjkmsWeQEU1ZR3XGVHlVm4r8qpp9sUGP338mDLAf09TwSE4EtxzDHt0W8jjC7KOA24slhidbMzfxeX59M-OZN54peii3wM_11EGjJiRwBmgOzcs8ADJJHNoi-NhJJejf4ifk4opd8XmtoWSrno3IM9HJl5qW269RWroeNFZ8Bh-kX_bAMxpEv-mL9A8jg" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="525" data-original-width="527" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjkmsWeQEU1ZR3XGVHlVm4r8qpp9sUGP338mDLAf09TwSE4EtxzDHt0W8jjC7KOA24slhidbMzfxeX59M-OZN54peii3wM_11EGjJiRwBmgOzcs8ADJJHNoi-NhJJejf4ifk4opd8XmtoWSrno3IM9HJl5qW269RWroeNFZ8Bh-kX_bAMxpEv-mL9A8jg=w200-h199" width="200" /></a>Last week, I had the opportunity to visit Washington, DC to attend the NCTM annual conference. I'm going to blog through some of the sessions I attended to help me process and reflect.</p><p>My first session at NCTM was the perfect start to the conference! I had heard of Dr. Timothy Kanold multiple times and had read some of his work on PLCs, but this session focused mostly on his books <a href="https://www.amazon.com/HEART-Forming-Professional-Teacher-Leader-ebook/dp/B06XKF1M8B?ref_=ast_author_dp">Heart!</a> and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/SOUL-Fulfilling-Professional-professional-self-reflection-ebook/dp/B08WQ973VY?ref_=ast_author_dp">Soul!</a>. It also touched a bit on his book about <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Educator-Wellness-Sustaining-Well-Being-Actionable-ebook/dp/B09H2KT4XT?ref_=ast_author_dp">Educator Wellness</a> and all three books quickly went on my TBR list! I have started reading Heart!, so I'm sure I'll be updating this with take-aways from that book as well. (Anyone want to #eduread it with me?)</p><p>Dr. Kanold started his session talking about the importance of gratitude and shared about his family tradition of asking "What was the best part of today?" around the dinner table. He asked us to send a text of gratitude to someone who made it possible for us to be at NCTM. While he was talking about this, I thought of Rebecka Peterson, our National Teacher of the Year, and how she credits the <a href="https://onegoodthingteach.wordpress.com/author/rebeckamozdeh/">One Good Thing</a> blog for being such an instrumental part of her teaching journey. Funny enough, Rebecka walked into the session a few minutes later, so obviously Dr. Kanold's session blurb resonated with her as well!</p><p>Here are some of my jotted notes from Dr. Kanold's session:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Can we fully give ourselves to our work and not get lost? (Answer - Yes, but you do have to take care of yourself!)</li><li>Presenting ourselves in a high positive happiness state affects how well students learn in our classes</li><li>How can we embrace joy amidst the daily chaos?</li><li>Joyful people are hope providers</li><li>Compassion - caring / support / love... emotionally mourn the setbacks of others and cheer on their victories</li><li>What evidence can you show that your school has a compassionate culture?</li><li>Acts of compassion helps us sustain.</li><li>What acts of compassion would we see at your school? </li><li>An antidote to burnout is self-compassion</li><li>Residue of self-compassion is joy</li><li>There is power in journaling over verbal processing... journaling dissipates the emotion</li></ul><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjSa_xQAzvMDXPYszZz7llCCi56Zsnb6XrXNpciI0-9jzGhbKAVpq1wGxcpACUiGlL4lpzfOWMllYosBi8GM4BjwnKaRL3IB30RwRPsIwEUEFad4dNziyKgtYjyesDeePPyFYGNsWmiLNK2fTYafhlXTdN1iPmp9DVg1Vln2BWjdqJ8k-8S5GaRLGdKvg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="668" data-original-width="1018" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjSa_xQAzvMDXPYszZz7llCCi56Zsnb6XrXNpciI0-9jzGhbKAVpq1wGxcpACUiGlL4lpzfOWMllYosBi8GM4BjwnKaRL3IB30RwRPsIwEUEFad4dNziyKgtYjyesDeePPyFYGNsWmiLNK2fTYafhlXTdN1iPmp9DVg1Vln2BWjdqJ8k-8S5GaRLGdKvg" width="320" /></a></div>Then Dr. Kanold shared with us about the Energy States. (The math teacher in me doesn't like how the quadrants are numbered, but anyway....)</div><div><br /></div><div>In the classroom, we would like to be in Quadrant 1, but there is a natural drive to Quadrant 3. He said that "Internal Balance is the key to well-being"<br /><br />How do we achieve that internal balance?</div><div><br /></div><div>KEY - Q2 time time is required daily!! </div><div><br /></div><div>Some more jottings about this idea:</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Be intentional about time for solitude (referenced Sherry Turkle - purposeful solitude with an embraced silence)</li><li>Give your brain time to be quiet</li><li>Daily quietude required</li></ul><div>(Side note - I LOVED this idea.... I need that quiet time, not just as an introvert, but now I know it helps me stay more balanced!)</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi-dQvGRg8NFg3yYwCGBQWnmYVDqnanHIhW0thY6b7g_WEDGhu9SGLaxiddrBxJ0fWK2sDtXKFrZhZ8FDP53za_7vQ0eZq-0vb8mg09U0ke72Slwke2AHVg0APO-yQPouCCK5WHJqtWt00HNKY4H1e6ziOiLkLYLvBv5l8gWKN4h4nP-C8N3jNq-BB6SQ" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="472" data-original-width="987" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi-dQvGRg8NFg3yYwCGBQWnmYVDqnanHIhW0thY6b7g_WEDGhu9SGLaxiddrBxJ0fWK2sDtXKFrZhZ8FDP53za_7vQ0eZq-0vb8mg09U0ke72Slwke2AHVg0APO-yQPouCCK5WHJqtWt00HNKY4H1e6ziOiLkLYLvBv5l8gWKN4h4nP-C8N3jNq-BB6SQ" width="320" /></a></div>Dr. Kanold ended his session with some tips on self care and the Wellness Framework, which had some really great tips, including Drink the Stupid Water. I am the world's worst about drinking water, but I am making an renewed effort after his session. </div><div><br /></div><div>He also talked about the importance of movement and not comparing yourself to others because if you are moving, it counts. His last tip was about the importance of sleep and gave us some suggestions on how to get the best rest.</div><div><br /></div><div>My biggest take-aways:</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Quiet time is required to keep us in a positive frame of mind. Go for that walk, sit outside, read the book, meditate, whatever it is that gives you time to find peace every day.</li><li>Drink the Stupid Water - hydration is so important and if you get thirsty, it's already too late and your body is dehydrated. Start your day with a bottle of water beside your bed.</li><li>You are harder on yourself than you should be and we are not as kind to ourselves as we are to others. Give yourself grace</li><li>Find moments of joy and gratitude in every day</li></ul></div><div><br /></div><br /></div><p></p><p><br /></p>druinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12363634340959613461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51958265250790371.post-68073916479804293862023-10-30T19:42:00.007-05:002023-10-30T19:44:11.137-05:00May I have a Library Card? (NCTM Day 2)<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiE-IVwAwBOyibNBrolFKTwNFfh5rf9aRwQ9LloIasnzdngUx-17NItR-rcTKPvAnAvFmA9x3vA5xSmzgRf6_HXpglV79fI_0GlmY87QwpdxIwZ21fjCcg6Xpaf5AMcsEaLA0tyPVXAlYejG9T_3FCEDDq_cQSMX6HUaM_drFOOTp43865t2pN5Xn4JyQ" style="clear: right; display: inline; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiE-IVwAwBOyibNBrolFKTwNFfh5rf9aRwQ9LloIasnzdngUx-17NItR-rcTKPvAnAvFmA9x3vA5xSmzgRf6_HXpglV79fI_0GlmY87QwpdxIwZ21fjCcg6Xpaf5AMcsEaLA0tyPVXAlYejG9T_3FCEDDq_cQSMX6HUaM_drFOOTp43865t2pN5Xn4JyQ=w150-h200" width="150" /></a>After a busy first day in DC and a fairly decent night of sleep, we woke up on Tuesday for another day of sightseeing, but what a day it ended up being!</p><p>Knowing how much I love to read, Cindy suggested we check out the Library of Congress. Since I'm always happier when I'm surrounded by books, I quickly agreed and to be honest, this has to be one of the most beautiful buildings I've ever explored!</p><p>When we arrived, we found out that entrance was by ticket only, so Cindy quickly signed us up and we waited for about 15 minutes before getting in line. <br /></p><p>Once we were inside, I was just awe-struck by how gorgeous it was. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhNDz0jl1zK2grEIL_9vtqkwvr9u4faAZWWr04gLse7NFxC0MKhQI-C8eNSz8loV-4bEj_UpXSe3TOywotKCU1bL1Lqb3rzubKSWi_skYi6GJrRdMz2Pondy-49YlRxHOxLmX-TYX3rXx2MOlTWgf0cihkLp1JxobhJqQVGj4YA_5z7pJIhwr9Y1gYAxw" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhNDz0jl1zK2grEIL_9vtqkwvr9u4faAZWWr04gLse7NFxC0MKhQI-C8eNSz8loV-4bEj_UpXSe3TOywotKCU1bL1Lqb3rzubKSWi_skYi6GJrRdMz2Pondy-49YlRxHOxLmX-TYX3rXx2MOlTWgf0cihkLp1JxobhJqQVGj4YA_5z7pJIhwr9Y1gYAxw=w150-h200" width="150" /></a></div>While at the Library of Congress, we saw the Gutenberg Bible, walked through the Visitor Overlook over the Main Reading Room, and saw a few other exhibits, including Thomas Jefferson's personal library...<p></p><p>I thought this would be a pretty quick trip overall and we had plans to go to the National Air and Space Museum that afternoon, but our plans were definitely changed!</p><p>While we were in the Overlook, we noticed a sign that said "Anyone 16 and older can apply for a reader's card to use the Library's general collections here." Are you kidding me??? I can have a library card for the LIBRARY OF CONGRESS?!?!? Sign me up!!!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhr56pMiDDukVgr63EraRwvA2BwwyH2Sa5tjcHVKykibk2EfcmW7QGhswjej4Xs-tzaTWl2BSlbm8rfG6OlDvdqILKYuI02xiu5vQknmPGVbz1s3vf6DzCF5BZMNg5hmX0NofdfHQEf7nhu3S2LRn1O7N5jSVtGyWss9aOvk4kObOc5g__EAdLsUlhKag" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhr56pMiDDukVgr63EraRwvA2BwwyH2Sa5tjcHVKykibk2EfcmW7QGhswjej4Xs-tzaTWl2BSlbm8rfG6OlDvdqILKYuI02xiu5vQknmPGVbz1s3vf6DzCF5BZMNg5hmX0NofdfHQEf7nhu3S2LRn1O7N5jSVtGyWss9aOvk4kObOc5g__EAdLsUlhKag" width="240" /></a></div>Once again, I was completed enthralled with the floors... I could do an entire geometry unit just on the floors of the Library of Congress!<p></p><p>Anyway, while I'm wandering around taking photos of the floors, we find some docents and ask them about obtaining a library card. It took a while to get clear(ish) directions, but finally we were off to the basement to get a library card!</p><p>After we got our cards, we were standing at the entrance to the Main Reading Room, wondering what we could do with our newfound treasure, so we asked the security guard where the Math books would be located. JUST as we asked him, one of the research librarians was walking by and stopped because she heard us mention "math". Turns out, she was a former HS Math Teacher and she asked us if we would like to see her research... Umm YES!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhmWii-lOrk9Okyvqc3COHxSgHV2DJsfxQQJMtNb1X16w46R4Kxn2l6a8fpt8YutVho9rwWVqJ18SP9E_pMQq450Jn8vvtEjXnFkH1sLZsImS5znckimmIoNfO6YiiumKhAbIPQl9NoXeCXOb8sUurle-MfkyX3hR99L-9bECNAQxfNQt2MiYDnYrCQpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhmWii-lOrk9Okyvqc3COHxSgHV2DJsfxQQJMtNb1X16w46R4Kxn2l6a8fpt8YutVho9rwWVqJ18SP9E_pMQq450Jn8vvtEjXnFkH1sLZsImS5znckimmIoNfO6YiiumKhAbIPQl9NoXeCXOb8sUurle-MfkyX3hR99L-9bECNAQxfNQt2MiYDnYrCQpg" width="240" /></a></div>Y'all - we got a BEHIND THE SCENES tour of the Library of Congress! She took us to her office to show us some of her research, then took us down the stacks to see the LoC collection of math books! <p></p><p>*Pinch me now*</p><p>Eventually she took us to the floor of the Main Reading Room (again, having an urge to watch the National Treasure movies when I saw the doorway in the central desk!)</p><p>I was totally in book heaven.... I could have easily stayed there for days and it will be a memory I will forever treasure and definitely the highlight of my DC trip!</p><p><br /><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>druinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12363634340959613461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51958265250790371.post-49270594988753839802023-10-29T17:24:00.002-05:002023-10-29T17:24:59.524-05:00Welcome to Washington DC! (NCTM Day 1)<p> Whew! That 3am alarm was just a BIT too early for me! This is Fall Break, y'all - why am I awake?!?!?</p><p>Off to the airport we go.... and several hours later, we're in DC!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi6vllSDbJzsgQ5gSXcmLf8z_zn2Tos5Djx7aWT7QXFafdAHYG8DD-LoKYtcDq9GUswdzVMae6yvoN5WgrnFAJ11qfemXyu_91WsblINyEUkUmXD5x7KXiBHMcLeaonUa_HQu1fdZqx6ecuHtOA66NY757LuKHuci0YJl4T5bA9PCUtA-lGqTA2rtiGcw" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi6vllSDbJzsgQ5gSXcmLf8z_zn2Tos5Djx7aWT7QXFafdAHYG8DD-LoKYtcDq9GUswdzVMae6yvoN5WgrnFAJ11qfemXyu_91WsblINyEUkUmXD5x7KXiBHMcLeaonUa_HQu1fdZqx6ecuHtOA66NY757LuKHuci0YJl4T5bA9PCUtA-lGqTA2rtiGcw=w150-h200" width="150" /></a></div>Finding your way through a new airport is always a challenge, but thankfully Cindy met a nice local person that helped us navigate to the Metro Station at the airport. After purchasing a $20 Metro Card, we were ready to go..<p></p><p>In my state, we really don't have a great public transit program, so this was my first subway type experience. (Although I'm still not quite sure how to navigate it all - very thankful for Cindy!)</p><p>My first photo of DC is of the Washington Monument from the Metro window moments before we go underground...</p><p>After dropping our stuff off at the AirBnB, we were off to explore! A quick hop back on the Metro and to the Archives we go!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgAc050D9ziCEJugTd8gv3WEVh2lrj6fL99rNaaRubHcZObloD_h8G3V8vdK4jKoqFKbsfDpZpDLtF2DGjBUTHV_JN1DZJY6unJkXk8c82SQw7pc8CNjVhUfavNuNavJm8GZSTWc9RGKzazHWgmpGosFNhEfB4DJWsykeZmUcrmfa_cc1oQM-0fsU8wLg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgAc050D9ziCEJugTd8gv3WEVh2lrj6fL99rNaaRubHcZObloD_h8G3V8vdK4jKoqFKbsfDpZpDLtF2DGjBUTHV_JN1DZJY6unJkXk8c82SQw7pc8CNjVhUfavNuNavJm8GZSTWc9RGKzazHWgmpGosFNhEfB4DJWsykeZmUcrmfa_cc1oQM-0fsU8wLg=w200-h150" width="200" /></a></div></div>I have never been a huge history buff, but the architecture of DC is just beautiful. <p></p><p>I also had to snap a photo of the Capital as we crossed Pennsylvania Avenue... <br /><br />(Math side note - I really want to know the algorithm they use to calculate the pedestrian crossing times for each street. There really didn't seem to be a pattern that I noticed.)</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhIUz6IHCid5yhT8U_YWsY-z6rFehfWBjVqaxwQ-0rEQiQIifYi-Kpdq23xtCMl1iVj-thJviUHJisHcK-SJyGrIanxQgxgG627yXxvfGphXB8Smat6OpMiyig7ihifdWigCiGAuK0ZGLXYx-oyBBH54TV8i1YjdKY-8mY1ys24l5KIsTC8SqvnNeL4Zg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhIUz6IHCid5yhT8U_YWsY-z6rFehfWBjVqaxwQ-0rEQiQIifYi-Kpdq23xtCMl1iVj-thJviUHJisHcK-SJyGrIanxQgxgG627yXxvfGphXB8Smat6OpMiyig7ihifdWigCiGAuK0ZGLXYx-oyBBH54TV8i1YjdKY-8mY1ys24l5KIsTC8SqvnNeL4Zg=w150-h200" width="150" /></a></div>In the National Archives, we spent some time wandering through the Records of Rights exhibits, seeing the Magna Carta and a timeline of our nation's civil rights history. It was an emotional roller coaster as I saw how far we've come and how far we still have to go. <p></p><p>In the Archive Rotunda, we saw our nation's founding documents and I just can't even describe how it felt to be standing in front of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. </p><p>I will also admit, I had a huge desire to go home and watch National Treasure with Nicholas Cage after visiting the Archives, especially when I noticed they had a reproduction Resolute Desk in the gift shop!</p><p>From there, we went to the National Mall and walked down to the Gallery of Art for Cindy to look at an art installation she had discussed in one of her classes.... We were getting pretty hangry by this point since neither of us had eaten since 4am, so I'll admit I spent way too much time looking at the geometry in the floor pattern and not as much on the art around us...</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh_7_o3iNWlMk0-xy0uhVMD-F0_79tFgRRlln54iYyNaVbgRY9JWlSonv7R67CQm_21m_NvyZyY2k1yVD-J1U3lKnpanxLAwnYzULm6ScCEOq3HVtsIuG-SddFS0mk_Ha9rf8QHT7gcEzvt7jTe9BCs7QkbRbHVEacdZjRa68YBI611-G3JBMNPHwNUOw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh_7_o3iNWlMk0-xy0uhVMD-F0_79tFgRRlln54iYyNaVbgRY9JWlSonv7R67CQm_21m_NvyZyY2k1yVD-J1U3lKnpanxLAwnYzULm6ScCEOq3HVtsIuG-SddFS0mk_Ha9rf8QHT7gcEzvt7jTe9BCs7QkbRbHVEacdZjRa68YBI611-G3JBMNPHwNUOw" width="320" /></a></div><p>What math do you see? Here's what I saw...<br />- Parallel Lines cut by a transversal (which happens to be what we are learning in Geometry)<br />- a parallel based proof of the Triangle Sum Theorem (yup, already planning it!)<br />- Triangle Midsegments<br />- Congruent Triangles<br />- A Tessellation (of course!)<br />- A nice discussion of the rigid transformations<br /></p><p>(I might have taken about a half dozen photos of the floor....)<br /><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjcIVXsXn5K7G24674NAb-2ILkQta0k3xl2crlJ5nc61jqPgvC5csb9JnQ4orfPHcTJ3kU79VwDdh97jF4mzMAjY9tq1hVdT2u22ZYYR_WvLn7GI1x9KHOiouq-KnwK9Swnh8d9-ZGSJLZeH1ssghrQ54D6QglifgRNgUAjeHyG_Tl6aQiFhbLT5zLp0g" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjcIVXsXn5K7G24674NAb-2ILkQta0k3xl2crlJ5nc61jqPgvC5csb9JnQ4orfPHcTJ3kU79VwDdh97jF4mzMAjY9tq1hVdT2u22ZYYR_WvLn7GI1x9KHOiouq-KnwK9Swnh8d9-ZGSJLZeH1ssghrQ54D6QglifgRNgUAjeHyG_Tl6aQiFhbLT5zLp0g" width="180" /></a></div><p></p><p>From there, we headed on down the mall to find something to eat. There were food trucks at every museum entrance, but they seemed to mostly be drinks and ice cream.</p><p>We popped into the Museum of Natural History and finally got something to eat at their coffee shop, then managed to make it over to the Museum of American History 30 minutes before closing time. We did get to see the Star Spangled Flag exhibit, the pop culture exhibit, and the first ladies exhibit. </p><p>I quickly went through the Presidential exhibit hoping they might have a copy of President Garfield's proof of the Pythagorean Theorem, but if they did, I didn't see it :(</p><p>However, I did get to see President Lincoln's top hat just as the docent told me it was time to leave.... </p><p>Stay tuned for Day 2 - it was *amazing*</p><p><br /><br /></p><br /><p></p>druinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12363634340959613461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51958265250790371.post-89799303792645983442023-08-27T13:16:00.005-05:002023-08-27T13:16:34.583-05:00Updated Puzzle Corner<p> To say I'm ready for the upcoming 3-day weekend is an understatement! We've been in school now for 3 weeks and while I'm doing better at getting ahead school-wise, other areas of my life have fallen behind. I need a day just to catch up, work in my yard, and not feel like I'm a hamster on a wheel.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjKfhS6ULOS-A1i1LVWgqK7yRBK7q_Ful4HByJbZUhzwNYgLzuMK3W8-xoAxfhPXUcN1hnYMuqTFN8KH_Cg3LHeeg1XnqU1jTcY3hKSXvTArXctVq0jdlvzfwcGugk9mckhpZXN9gxvL48WVS9aePJ7TgeV_rPWriwbMJDsUqfZV6Ptpuld2XmJb0EVsg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="941" data-original-width="1255" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjKfhS6ULOS-A1i1LVWgqK7yRBK7q_Ful4HByJbZUhzwNYgLzuMK3W8-xoAxfhPXUcN1hnYMuqTFN8KH_Cg3LHeeg1XnqU1jTcY3hKSXvTArXctVq0jdlvzfwcGugk9mckhpZXN9gxvL48WVS9aePJ7TgeV_rPWriwbMJDsUqfZV6Ptpuld2XmJb0EVsg=w200-h150" width="200" /></a></div>For many years, I've had a puzzle corner in my room. With the exception of the pandemic in 2020 - 2021, this space has been a fun place for my students to play with math in a non-threatening way.<p></p><p>However, this year, I knew I needed a change because I would be having some kids that I had in class a couple of years ago, so over the summer, I started thinking about how I could change it. For the past two years, it's had a math fun fact, a mathematician of the week, and a math quote. This year, I wanted to incorporate some vertical / magnetic puzzles based as inspired by Sarah Carter (@mathequalslove) and to add some math-y toys to the mix.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgwDbw3DDR6rStzMLpzTWrR8c3Ah0hmsCfMXeJK_MsgQpV2WmTtM5UfmUG7N_zVvol8l_VMQCFjjgzqtcOK3DfZj3heCa9emuFRSM16AJK2Q1V_hruWljEOcruTZtwtoiP1MvWbWTYsflTAZ6tpnMVRcA5wOZXQPar7BnbaeCkKmrU0A6nhNmVdKKASiw" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="861" data-original-width="1419" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgwDbw3DDR6rStzMLpzTWrR8c3Ah0hmsCfMXeJK_MsgQpV2WmTtM5UfmUG7N_zVvol8l_VMQCFjjgzqtcOK3DfZj3heCa9emuFRSM16AJK2Q1V_hruWljEOcruTZtwtoiP1MvWbWTYsflTAZ6tpnMVRcA5wOZXQPar7BnbaeCkKmrU0A6nhNmVdKKASiw" width="320" /></a></div>My students haven't really engaged much with the vertical puzzles (yet) but they have really loved the basket of toys that I picked up at Target Dollar Spot!<p></p><p>One of my Labor Day goals is to work on my files for the Brain Teaser spot so I have a binder full of papers to swap out those each week. This may be a work in progress over the year, but for now, it's on my to-do list. Also on that list is to get my binder of Vertical Puzzles updated, cut out, and compiled. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>druinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12363634340959613461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51958265250790371.post-19338414660873765942023-08-19T15:40:00.004-05:002023-08-19T15:44:05.378-05:00First Days of School<p> There are just not enough hours per day in August to get everything done! I either need longer days or the ability to go with less sleep :) </p><p>There are a lot of things I like about my school and a few things that I don't, and the Back to School week falls under both of those categories! We report to school on Monday / Tuesday, off on Wednesday, and kids come on Thursday. I love that day off to get things done (like a pedi with my mom), but with all of the required meetings, it feels like there is so much to do in a very condensed amount of time.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjWYPerFGl0MITfyYf7jDqm1GXMVrzSxd8IBwumYpLAuUx3vl50BYeHk-ClnR5H0b_wVX8vsCEUe_qIKP8r6jpfblZYH-P42BS6Nd1o1r2wZ3qxONUZXHhOrJQfH5mRzAbLBb_iTgjOWKF6SYS-_MmBR2V0KecOvEUlR1tR3FayOkORp9fob89SJssbXw" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="942" data-original-width="1254" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjWYPerFGl0MITfyYf7jDqm1GXMVrzSxd8IBwumYpLAuUx3vl50BYeHk-ClnR5H0b_wVX8vsCEUe_qIKP8r6jpfblZYH-P42BS6Nd1o1r2wZ3qxONUZXHhOrJQfH5mRzAbLBb_iTgjOWKF6SYS-_MmBR2V0KecOvEUlR1tR3FayOkORp9fob89SJssbXw" width="319" /></a></div><br /></div>But Thursday came and so did the kids, whether I was ready or not...<p></p><p>On the first day, we do...</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Posters around the room</li><li>Name Tents</li><li>And Math of course!</li></ul><div>You can see some of the posters in the photo and on each table is a small container with some post-its. They answer the 6 prompts and go around the room putting their answers on the board. The 6 prompts are:</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>A goal I have this year is...</li><li>Our classroom should be ____ every day</li><li>I learn best when...</li><li>Mrs. Temple can help me best by...</li><li>Math is important because...</li><li>To be successful in math this year, I need...</li></ul><div>This activity infuses a bit of color as well as gets the kids up and moving around from day 1. </div></div><div><br /></div><div>After that, we work on their Name Tents, which has been written about quite a bit in the MTBoS, so my only change is that I don't print the form on the inside - I just have the kids draw a line down the crease and then two perpendicular to that to create 6 spaces for writing. This was the first year (ever?) that everyone folded their name tent correctly!!! (YAY!)</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgqUvpaj9B6UIc2tsImqLUVAnuZOm1zgk4u832zC1NSzkOeqSk6CzQZHGzHsDGtey_q7mvyd2onO1k2KI9DK2gDiqlAg-0IxO-rpAE5uaXXji_v9MHHGQ-Z8SY8DeC2_GSC8Zl5CIxhr55BXZX8taW2kG5kb5oTpRypRxJ3GGtLh0fJ2QqcSLhWhiOguA" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="541" data-original-width="558" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgqUvpaj9B6UIc2tsImqLUVAnuZOm1zgk4u832zC1NSzkOeqSk6CzQZHGzHsDGtey_q7mvyd2onO1k2KI9DK2gDiqlAg-0IxO-rpAE5uaXXji_v9MHHGQ-Z8SY8DeC2_GSC8Zl5CIxhr55BXZX8taW2kG5kb5oTpRypRxJ3GGtLh0fJ2QqcSLhWhiOguA" width="248" /></a></div>Finally, it's time to do Math! This year, I tried a new-to-me activity using pentominos because I wanted to do something Geometric. While I liked the activity, I found that it was super difficult for my students. </div><div><br /></div><div>The original task asked the students to use all of the pentominos to build a 10x6 rectangle, then to try again to build a 12x5, then again for a 15x4. Sadly, most groups didn't get past the 10x6 :(</div><div><br /></div><div>Thankfully, it did allow us to talk about Productive Struggle, the importance of persevering, and why I like to use manipulatives a lot to test out theories.</div><div><br /></div><div>So for next year, I think I would modify it using one of these two resources:</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Better scaffolding of the tasks, similar to the <a href="https://mathequalslove.net/pentominoes-puzzles/">challenges shared here by Sarah Carter</a></li><li>Using these <a href="https://mathshko.com/2020/04/09/pentominoes/">puzzles by MathsKo</a></li></ul></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjMd7oMWY2N-KFgFtSibpyVAwnhy5VvQFAiavuTxMimty-yY9YRxkOcMM_08PLT7vInslsiByqXp4WDdU_A7c47hD1Fr1nQdMjp_nsIT3MVE9M7dxXECoAYfBk4lV_hY80HrPu1sg0OQXvyqDZTtRMAxFKQiS_JJMkeCLSIY4f2wiUFWcqXmdWpYRl_6A" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="373" data-original-width="428" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjMd7oMWY2N-KFgFtSibpyVAwnhy5VvQFAiavuTxMimty-yY9YRxkOcMM_08PLT7vInslsiByqXp4WDdU_A7c47hD1Fr1nQdMjp_nsIT3MVE9M7dxXECoAYfBk4lV_hY80HrPu1sg0OQXvyqDZTtRMAxFKQiS_JJMkeCLSIY4f2wiUFWcqXmdWpYRl_6A=w200-h175" width="200" /></a></div>That pretty much ended Day 1, and I was happy to celebrate the day with a mini-bundtlet from Nothing Bundt Cakes that was delivered by our Student Leadership group!</div><div><br /></div><div>Then, on to Day 2. My goal with Day 2 was to introduce students to some of the structures we would be using this year...</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.openmiddle.com/close-to-1000/">Open Middle</a> - Using the digits 1 to 9, find the sum of 3 digit numbers that comes closest to 1000.</li><li>Whiteboards - Using "The Answers Are" task from Building Thinking Classrooms</li><li>Setting our Group Norms (see previous post)</li></ul>All in all, it was a GREAT couple of days of non-curricular tasks, but then it was on to an insanely busy weekend to prepare for Week 2. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><p></p>druinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12363634340959613461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51958265250790371.post-52431749915867209742023-08-13T16:05:00.000-05:002023-08-13T16:05:07.165-05:00Setting Class Norms<p> Week 1 is done and oh my goodness, I have so much that I need to blog about!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhAQgjrfjE7m8ORrF8Ht7rg9yfmS9KbB45Z5m-H4XsGkfVyIWIrkFOwbYpOgwyQroosbu0wuZ41A05fCjPo_7I669-AQR7dlkglLEzFODPplcjQSqlBaLxjVssz0rICL0wShx92RmfbCFwhlJGeyaIIf_-FE8sTkeDyCXjsTdqoa8j1hq3CX8KivbJqlA" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="775" data-original-width="1374" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhAQgjrfjE7m8ORrF8Ht7rg9yfmS9KbB45Z5m-H4XsGkfVyIWIrkFOwbYpOgwyQroosbu0wuZ41A05fCjPo_7I669-AQR7dlkglLEzFODPplcjQSqlBaLxjVssz0rICL0wShx92RmfbCFwhlJGeyaIIf_-FE8sTkeDyCXjsTdqoa8j1hq3CX8KivbJqlA" width="320" /></a></div>During the first two days, I do a lot of non-curricular tasks where we focus on group work and setting our class norms.<p></p><p>I ask the students before each task to keep these two questions in mind while they are working:</p><p>- Think about what good Group Work looks like / sounds like...</p><p>- How do you know if you are being a good Group Member.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEilP-KtIseNZZw5sRVA1TY-eeg3KGQdJcUY-ikyc8aIEs040Q_XrOQzi8_19dkSREBJO6N74Jcr3mGgGS1vMpH2Mz0YtqM0Rh6LVkmeKAyu8aj0asDJrFL99YklRV7gkxrZQ7yIXS-t0-dHh3nMlwEbhQLAdndcB-7cD7Bou6WNEUP2-2UPNKOttLxUGg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1091" data-original-width="1475" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEilP-KtIseNZZw5sRVA1TY-eeg3KGQdJcUY-ikyc8aIEs040Q_XrOQzi8_19dkSREBJO6N74Jcr3mGgGS1vMpH2Mz0YtqM0Rh6LVkmeKAyu8aj0asDJrFL99YklRV7gkxrZQ7yIXS-t0-dHh3nMlwEbhQLAdndcB-7cD7Bou6WNEUP2-2UPNKOttLxUGg=w200-h148" width="200" /></a></div>Toward the end of the day on Friday, after we had been working on the big whiteboards, I asked the students again to reflect on those two questions. I told them that we needed to come up with a set of norms that we could all abide by in order to make sure our class works smoothly this year. I asked them to think about the activities we had done (the Pentomino task above, an Open Middle problem, and a whiteboard problem for "The Answers Are"). I asked them to work with their tables to brainstorm ideas to fill in this chart, then to go back and decide the one or two most important things on each side and put a star by it.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjwZWXXC3Ef3wkEi-Flhu3il7KbWwejpojWYAj02gAIwatJGWJ0qWz_GNm5jgBF9pu6744Uer2hbNhmBmxeiRCaQoMgA0VtoA2hxz1ejafPoBu-pXfIaNkX4ooXhz8nM2CDaa0TnHjK1J_7Mfu2KMoAbYO3U38m9YDkmY-q_ue0wJHvOw-JCFTC8EsMBA" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="229" data-original-width="468" height="157" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjwZWXXC3Ef3wkEi-Flhu3il7KbWwejpojWYAj02gAIwatJGWJ0qWz_GNm5jgBF9pu6744Uer2hbNhmBmxeiRCaQoMgA0VtoA2hxz1ejafPoBu-pXfIaNkX4ooXhz8nM2CDaa0TnHjK1J_7Mfu2KMoAbYO3U38m9YDkmY-q_ue0wJHvOw-JCFTC8EsMBA" width="320" /></a></div><p>As a class, we had a discussion about the things they had starred and came to a class consensus on the most important ideas. Every class pretty much had the same big ideas listed and starred, but I brought all of the papers home to compile them. (Note: I was really surprised how many mentioned that they didn't want arguing in our class) </p><p>In the past, I've hand-written a poster board with their responses, but this time I decided to try something different!</p><p>After compiling the responses from all of the classes, I had a pretty hefty list, so I decided to type it up in Word. I then saved it as a PDF and printed it as a poster that I can piece together to paste onto my poster board. <br /><br />I'm so pleased with how this idea turned out that I had to share! Hopefully I'll update this post tomorrow with the poster on my wall. :)</p><br /><br /><p></p><p><br /><br /></p>druinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12363634340959613461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51958265250790371.post-72041880345021556122023-08-03T16:17:00.007-05:002023-08-03T16:17:49.860-05:00Classroom Progress, maybe?<p>I just spent most of the day working in my classroom - thankfully the a/c was working today because this afternoon's high was 105! </p><p>I honestly couldn't tell you what all I accomplished today - it feels like nothing major but I spent 6 hours up there. I got a few organizational things done - new labels, etc.</p><p>One thing on my to-do list was to put up our Welcome board in the hallway. For the past couple of years, we've had red bulletin board paper and I made the executive decision to change it out to red fabric. If you've never used fabric on your bulletin boards, I encourage you to fix that now! This is just a generic broadcloth, but fabric doesn't fade, stores easily for reuse, and doesn't show wear and tear.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEioqJHi9neJSEdq1D4gNCsifusJuJVxDIMC-0PY4GcRuBGLHN8hxxQkYPA22OasFa5FdyeUQRL9prK-tG1FHaQoPqmQ5pzRjCGCx5fRtN7VdTJwyAzvJFpnNrjbM991YpF-L3LkUUzUXQDL2QT9i6srLMh-FlvHL42TRIB0QPdgU71bAKKLe1hdYXCUQQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="935" data-original-width="1419" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEioqJHi9neJSEdq1D4gNCsifusJuJVxDIMC-0PY4GcRuBGLHN8hxxQkYPA22OasFa5FdyeUQRL9prK-tG1FHaQoPqmQ5pzRjCGCx5fRtN7VdTJwyAzvJFpnNrjbM991YpF-L3LkUUzUXQDL2QT9i6srLMh-FlvHL42TRIB0QPdgU71bAKKLe1hdYXCUQQ" width="320" /></a></div><br />Look at how bold the red fabric looks compared to the paper! I also purchased some cute reversible border at Hobby Lobby with their 40% off classroom sale and you just can't go wrong with buffalo check. I know the Cardinals part is crooked and normally that would bother me, but this board is at the end of the hallway and I probably won't see it again until it's time to change it in September!<p></p><p>Back in my classroom, I piddled with several small things that needed to be done and then tackled 2 bigger projects...</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj624O1zImBCZls-eK3SY3sdbVBhO_uxtHjmAvUmiuwH-gCnPEhYurDRs7S2MkqnFOEe_03AjaUW5605RB6jXz2MZzMNAmsbF33IBaHuQZY_ys0YNHkoA_GLk9-nBlLeQMXYyPCQLaQobF8ADPyXXto568kE6j_yIQ32kxsgGv0xvTKkPgFXanCp8k7Aw" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="391" data-original-width="454" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj624O1zImBCZls-eK3SY3sdbVBhO_uxtHjmAvUmiuwH-gCnPEhYurDRs7S2MkqnFOEe_03AjaUW5605RB6jXz2MZzMNAmsbF33IBaHuQZY_ys0YNHkoA_GLk9-nBlLeQMXYyPCQLaQobF8ADPyXXto568kE6j_yIQ32kxsgGv0xvTKkPgFXanCp8k7Aw=w200-h172" width="200" /></a></div>The first project I worked on was assembling this <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07D5MKDQP?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details">organizer from Amazon</a>. Last week, when I was working in my room, I started thinking about how I could better use some of my space to organize random supplies for students. My previous use was a mishmash of boxes and locations and it just wasn't very cohesive. I played around with some letter trays but nothing quite fit what I wanted. <p></p><p>(Note: I totally forgot to take a photo of this in my classroom - sorry about that!) Once I had it assembled, I started to organize student supplies. The bottom drawer is where students can get rolls of tape and glue sticks for their table buckets, the bottom shelf will be a place for scratch paper and the top shelf will hold my patty paper box. The vertical storage space behind fits my graphing whiteboards perfectly since we don't use those very often. For now, I have left off the pencil cup but it's magnetic and might end up on the whiteboard eventually. </p><p>The other goal today was to change out my Puzzle Place area but that didn't quite work out the way I was expecting. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEikhgmHZCBCa6NljO3DflvFOTmK28r-3WjFmdeQtAC7Nqz2WUYpvVbCLM81FcygQuCAInV8j-DSQRiP0evqdSIOvUhD-ZY6xmHbUIo-vnqOjdaAxELGTZxS53d6jM_JvlwxxHU5cMyqIA53OfAzl8RB66QXGhRi_ijTyf7JQbyVXEZjv0mtSzxeDNxN6Q" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="261" data-original-width="389" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEikhgmHZCBCa6NljO3DflvFOTmK28r-3WjFmdeQtAC7Nqz2WUYpvVbCLM81FcygQuCAInV8j-DSQRiP0evqdSIOvUhD-ZY6xmHbUIo-vnqOjdaAxELGTZxS53d6jM_JvlwxxHU5cMyqIA53OfAzl8RB66QXGhRi_ijTyf7JQbyVXEZjv0mtSzxeDNxN6Q" width="320" /></a></div>The little woven bowl I found while cleaning at home did end up working perfectly for the fidget toys (fake Rubik type stuff from Target Dollar Spot), but then I had a whiteboard dilemma! <br /><br />Last week, I had decided I wanted to change out the Puzzle Place to something to encourage more interaction with the board. I had used the same 4 quadrants for the past couple of years and the only one the kids really enjoyed was the Math Joke. As a result, I decided to look for an inexpensive magnetic solution in order to do some vertical puzzles (inspired by <a href="https://mathequalslove.net/puzzles/">Sarah at MathEqualsLove</a>) and found this <a href="https://www.hobbylobby.com/Art-Supplies/Painting-Canvas-Art-Surfaces/Dry-Erase-Boards/White-Magnetic-Dry-Erase-Board/p/81068908">whiteboard at Hobby Lobby for $7.99</a>. (Note: I was so impressed with the Hobby Lobby whiteboard that I went by there on my way home to get another one for the hallway (inspired by <a href="https://www.saravanderwerf.com/even-if-they-say-they-dont-like-doing-math-they-secretly-do-an-experiment-you-should-try/">Sara Vanderwerf</a>) but they were sold out.)<p></p><p>Once I go to school, I realized that I wasn't super sure which side of the board I wanted to put the whiteboard on! Help me out please - send me a message (@druinok on Twitter/X or Mathstodon) or pop it in the comments. </p><p>I plan to keep the Math Joke and the other one will probably end up either being the Math Fun Fact or will get changed to another brain teaser (like Set, 24, solvemoji, etc - something that is less manipulative than the typical puzzle table problem)</p><p>When I look around my classroom, I can't say that I can account very well for the 5 hours I worked, but at least it's done enough until I officially report on Monday! </p><p><br /><br /><br /></p>druinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12363634340959613461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51958265250790371.post-10767370219825663902023-08-01T15:56:00.004-05:002023-08-01T15:56:17.953-05:00My Teacher Binder - 2023/24 Edition<p>Hey folks! It's August 1 and that means that school is just around the corner. I officially report next Monday and kids come next Thursday, but I am definitely not ready for summer to end this year! I mean, if I'm being honest, I'm never really ready for summer to end. I like the structure of school, but I don't like wearing shoes and having to people :)<br /><br />This summer has been a summer of cleaning, organizing, and purging, which my house sorely needed! We have one more load of stuff to take to the donation center and then my attention can fully shift to the new school year. I did go up to my classroom last Thursday to get it mostly put together and to start working on my to-do list. <br /><br />One of the things on my to-do list was to put together this year's Teacher Binder and I realized last night that I never shared last year's binder - oops! I have this year's made and printed, but I still need to assemble it.<br /><br /><b><i><u>Cover and Binding:</u></i></b><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi7gEkfcUknbfm1kq-1FLx9G2tMHfkF7dXMEHyvTD-HOt9r3I7aHcNRBi5ZJt1IOFwLyq_MFv4hucBvPxIuNkiyG0hRuvVH6cgH200IoiF3cK_bclMwBEN8Aq_IHYheZ1G_gN10RiPQO6AfrVQEXeC1nGY5TgNo7ZZxWo-IJ5oyxBK5nJDnRNY0589Eaw" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="940" data-original-width="790" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi7gEkfcUknbfm1kq-1FLx9G2tMHfkF7dXMEHyvTD-HOt9r3I7aHcNRBi5ZJt1IOFwLyq_MFv4hucBvPxIuNkiyG0hRuvVH6cgH200IoiF3cK_bclMwBEN8Aq_IHYheZ1G_gN10RiPQO6AfrVQEXeC1nGY5TgNo7ZZxWo-IJ5oyxBK5nJDnRNY0589Eaw=w168-h200" width="168" /></a></div>A few years ago, I ran across these pocket folders at Dollar Tree that were fairly heavy weight and with a customizable cover. I haven't seen them in the stores this year, so it's possible they aren't carrying them this season, but I've only been to my Dollar Tree, which isn't in my favorite Top 10 stores if that tells you anything! <br /><br />For binding, I have been a huge fan of the DiscBound systems for many years - starting with the Arc system at Staples, but you can also find them with Happy Planner at various craft stores, TUL at Office Depot, etc. I have found the 1 inch disc work the best for me, but the discs come in a variety of sizes. <br /><br />My cover and the dividers inside are all normal 3-hole systems, so I just cut the folder in half, then punch all of them (one at a time of course) using my disc bound punch. I've used a variety of things for my dividers over the years, but this year, it's just a plain set of plastic pocket dividers that were on Prime Day sale :) <br /><br /><b><i><u>Inside the Binder:<br /></u></i></b>I typically have 6 or so dividers in use - The first 3 are for my calendars:<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh5fwBlshQuadA_iimPR8SWmxuXXoxGHWWPU93wBRXUjYbHBDmfYkNUVWQlU83U8uxhGwr34UTurVqom3CPsUV4xUL0qWe3f1ckF4GJtlAgbaCbZ3VtMycd8MCT78s_wpGr2x39xWnOFav2MoJ7q2EFSB-wbv6HQ_Gs1HO4CuJVlWQDRYSNA_sUDnG6rw" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="859" data-original-width="451" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh5fwBlshQuadA_iimPR8SWmxuXXoxGHWWPU93wBRXUjYbHBDmfYkNUVWQlU83U8uxhGwr34UTurVqom3CPsUV4xUL0qWe3f1ckF4GJtlAgbaCbZ3VtMycd8MCT78s_wpGr2x39xWnOFav2MoJ7q2EFSB-wbv6HQ_Gs1HO4CuJVlWQDRYSNA_sUDnG6rw=w168-h320" width="168" /></a></div><br /><u><i>Monthly Calendar</i></u> - this is a typical Monthly spread with a place to jot down reminders and notes under each Month. This is where I tend to put long-term appointments and due dates.<p></p><p><u><i>Quarterly Calendar</i></u> - This view only shows the first semester of Geometry, but these are just pacing type calendars for me to plan out the quarter. I also put down holidays and breaks if they are known.</p><p><u><i>Weekly Calendar</i></u> - This is my page with all of the day to day details. On the left side is a place for me to put things for before / during / after the day, such as Lunch Duty, IEP Meetings, covering a class, etc. Below each day is a checklist for daily habits like posting to Google Classroom, exercising, etc. In the big empty space is a place for general notes and to-do lists and this space usually has a post-it note or two adhered :)<br /><br />After the 3 sections of calendars come the sections for my gradebook and things like that, but since I don't have my class lists yet, those aren't ready for the binder!<br /><br />What does your teacher binder look like?<br /><br /></p><p><br /></p>druinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12363634340959613461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51958265250790371.post-22058766767632590952023-06-08T08:57:00.005-05:002023-06-08T09:15:39.266-05:00Shifting our ThinkingUgh - how is it that another 6 months has gone by since I last posted? Often, I will have an idea for a post, jot it down, then by the time I get home, the idea I had that I thought sounded good no longer has any appeal.<div><br /></div><div>But, summer is here and it's a time to reflect, grow, and learn again! </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgjOFK5AM52OBVyk1Dx6jCV9jTVwD_hgHgXhcXQBa6oqB5m8jtjg44dORXZR9_UpRq6WOa2kWTXXMp-IyvNxInFIVU1buldtH8DUAvImk2iWKVYprrpl5OZ7GYF69LcjewKbTbXGQW6s35KJAvB5cyIA5P3lOXqACh8t-_J2WISBGaRjwZaNXqTnfU" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="156" data-original-width="330" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgjOFK5AM52OBVyk1Dx6jCV9jTVwD_hgHgXhcXQBa6oqB5m8jtjg44dORXZR9_UpRq6WOa2kWTXXMp-IyvNxInFIVU1buldtH8DUAvImk2iWKVYprrpl5OZ7GYF69LcjewKbTbXGQW6s35KJAvB5cyIA5P3lOXqACh8t-_J2WISBGaRjwZaNXqTnfU" width="320" /></a></div>Last week, I was excited to be involved in a workshop in my area called Exponential Growth. It is co-sponsored by one of our local universities and our regional STEM alliance. They have several different workshops, but I was in one for instructional leaders (math coaches, etc). The workshop was JUST what I needed to jump-start my summer planning and I'm excited to work with my cohort over the next year.</div><div><br /></div><div>During the workshop, we looked at growth vs fixed mindset and looked at book Principles to Action with regard to what we would like to see in a math classroom and the <a href="file:///C:/Users/druin/Downloads/7-EffectiveMathematicsTeachingPractices%20(1).pdf">Effective Teaching Practices</a>. We looked at productive and unproductive beliefs and sorted them into our ideal classroom and our less than ideal classroom.</div><div><br /></div><div>We also looked at a variety of tasks and how many of them could be used across the grade level bands. One of my favorites was this fish pond task...</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgmHoYx4pANley3_IXiWVQDs_67jkJASr3yjfjuS6nABOyf3p0dhCZFDMVvmTzeF6dyFchPWuQnRAv02jVaUd0rwJego1rwD2Y2DZ5MHgnFFwhfkCwlKmMdMR-n98_TNVFmqk-Efkg6yzTQHOSn6qTJYICyWjc_d2_wPKfy4KzNrcMLHuJRC0dthfc" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="947" data-original-width="1263" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgmHoYx4pANley3_IXiWVQDs_67jkJASr3yjfjuS6nABOyf3p0dhCZFDMVvmTzeF6dyFchPWuQnRAv02jVaUd0rwJego1rwD2Y2DZ5MHgnFFwhfkCwlKmMdMR-n98_TNVFmqk-Efkg6yzTQHOSn6qTJYICyWjc_d2_wPKfy4KzNrcMLHuJRC0dthfc=w200-h150" width="200" /></a></div>Our instructor gave us a handful of these colored goldfish (<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Plastic-Vinyl-Goldfish-Assorted-Decorations/dp/B07PMF7P24/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=1OO6LH4WXCGG2&keywords=plastic+goldfish&qid=1686230620&sprefix=plastic+goldfish%2Caps%2C130&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUE2T0ZKOTJZU01KRzcmZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTAyNzgwNjkxNjdTWDg0NkI3OEhEJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTAyNjM5NTBPVUwyQTBVQ0NTUEEmd2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGYmYWN0aW9uPWNsaWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVl">found on Amazon, of course!</a>) and several fish pond mats. I didn't end up taking a photo until our last mat, which was a make your own problem. As a result, it's kind of hard to see the point of the mats, so bear with me...<br /><br />On the first mat, the little "bridges" between the ponds had numbers showing the total of the fishes between the two. For example, the number 7 was between the purple / orange. The number 9 was between the purple / blue, and the number 8 was between the orange / blue. It was our job to figure out how many goldfish were in each pond. As teachers, we all knew that we could do this with a system of equations or a matrix, but to start out, we just played with the fish and thought about what would happen if we took one of the purples away or added another orange. Our group was given a variety of mats, from basic to more complex and finished with the one shown on making our own problem. It was a great way to look at a system from a more concrete standpoint and would be a fabulous low-entry task for a variety of levels. Our instructor mentioned that she would never teach systems again without starting with a task like this and move from the concrete to the abstract.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjvRI9S9dho1KoBoE7GMnLx6VnxLj3pLAfh8sUPDK5xoy2wh_pPJAblTRWJvXkfG2GVkjxN8GsyKSgVgXGv7vM1USfQgSkCa-Nhw1PKt1Q75ptY85zwugbddPz7mf3kl80Fa8vfH7M36QZ_KcsJFAn4i70flyntss5Gaaq4nDdvhSOoL8LvopWDHMU" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="224" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjvRI9S9dho1KoBoE7GMnLx6VnxLj3pLAfh8sUPDK5xoy2wh_pPJAblTRWJvXkfG2GVkjxN8GsyKSgVgXGv7vM1USfQgSkCa-Nhw1PKt1Q75ptY85zwugbddPz7mf3kl80Fa8vfH7M36QZ_KcsJFAn4i70flyntss5Gaaq4nDdvhSOoL8LvopWDHMU=w129-h200" width="129" /></a></div>I was so inspired after the first day, that I decided to start my summer reading! I quickly picked up <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01E7WSMKQ?ref_=dbs_m_mng_rwt_calw_tkin_44&storeType=ebooks">this book from Cathy Seeley</a> as my first summer #EduRead. I had read one of Seeley's books before, but this book seemed to tie into the workshop perfectly as it was aimed more at admin / instructional coaches in building a great math team. In the book, Seeley talks about the importance of carefully selected tasks and using a structure she called Upside Down Teaching.<br /><br />This sent me down another rabbit trail on <a href="https://www.nctm.org/uploadedFiles/Conferences_and_Professional_Development/Webinars_and_Webcasts/Webcasts/Upside-Down-Teaching.pdf">Upside Down Teaching</a>, which Seeley also calls the "I-We-You" structure. The idea is to start with a task for students to tackle first, then follow up with classroom discourse and the overall connections. For me, this also ties in to my personal goal of engaging students with a task or activity that helps to make the entire process more "sticky" with regard to learning. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />What probably bothered me the most about this <a href="https://www.nctm.org/uploadedFiles/Conferences_and_Professional_Development/Webinars_and_Webcasts/Webcasts/Upside-Down-Teaching.pdf">Upside Down Teaching</a> model was the section in the article about choosing tasks. I completely agree that choosing good tasks is key and I think many math teachers would agree about the difficulty of choosing just the right task for the lesson, but what floored me is that in Seeley's article, the description of what makes a worthwhile task is from 1991!! For OVER 30 years, we have known about the importance of quality tasks, but we still don't see that displayed on a regular basis in many classrooms, including my own! <br /><br />What I appreciated most about this rabbit hole was that it allowed me to think about my goals for this next year and to make a commitment to bringing more quality tasks into my classroom and to explore this Upside Down model and how it would apply to my classroom.<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /></div>druinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12363634340959613461noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51958265250790371.post-38872919436596585832023-01-31T09:05:00.001-06:002023-01-31T09:05:14.697-06:00What I read this month - January 2023The end of January 2023 has arrived!<div><br /></div><div>One of my goals this year was to join a couple of the reading challenges my friends were doing, so I want to start documenting my monthly reads and sharing them. Over Winter Break, hubby and I finally got library cards so my Kindle and I have become great friends with the Libby app!</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjFHoOip_i_RNEer52GjrTXy1hNNKxGBE9K-TI10_z-i3Gk-xj00TYuL-LDTA5Y4iwfYoerolZ48Z7LBxo-GjdrBhQ39mZ1-mS28I_YDpudABqi9LW67UJd2Rs1Qx43Q1gDcvtbGvPt-bDlnAXIlQbQM9WWyuI6f6RS6WVgWmCpTjT5g-B-RH0QHWQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="579" data-original-width="452" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjFHoOip_i_RNEer52GjrTXy1hNNKxGBE9K-TI10_z-i3Gk-xj00TYuL-LDTA5Y4iwfYoerolZ48Z7LBxo-GjdrBhQ39mZ1-mS28I_YDpudABqi9LW67UJd2Rs1Qx43Q1gDcvtbGvPt-bDlnAXIlQbQM9WWyuI6f6RS6WVgWmCpTjT5g-B-RH0QHWQ=w312-h400" width="312" /></a></div><br /><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The book challenges we are doing are from the Book Girls Guide (<a class="x1i10hfl xjbqb8w x6umtig x1b1mbwd xaqea5y xav7gou x9f619 x1ypdohk xt0psk2 xe8uvvx xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1a2a7pz xt0b8zv x1fey0fg" href="https://bookgirlsguide.com/reading-challenges/?fbclid=IwAR3cusprH5wS_QkPvjdUReIwWxOEwr9T0RKxxqnIr6e66Es8_EuzsSiip7w" rel="nofollow noopener" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-color: transparent; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation;" tabindex="0" target="_blank">https://bookgirlsguide.com/reading-challenges/</a>) - feel free to join us!</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i><u>Decades - Books set in the 1880s / 1890s</u></i></b></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- <a style="color: #385898; cursor: pointer;" tabindex="-1"></a>The Address </span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I had never read any of Fiona Davis's books and this book was on the list. My friend Pam read it and highly recommended it, so I grabbed it on Libby and set down to read. It was such an enjoyable book, flipping back and forth from 1885 to 1985 with a hint of mystery in the middle. Highly recommend!</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- The Children's Blizzard</span></div><div dir="auto">This book caught my eye because it was based on a true story and the main characters were teachers in one-room school houses on the prairie. I was completely drawn in the storyline and felt a lot of empathy for these homesteaders trying to beat the elements.</div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- Destiny of the Republic</span></div><div dir="auto">This book was a non-fiction read about the assassination of President Garfield. I'm honestly not much of a history buff, so I didn't know much about this topic but it was well written and I learned a lot!</div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto"><br /></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i><u>Read Around the World - Books set in the Arctic / Antarctica</u></i></b></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- The Arctic Fury</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I liked the idea of this book better than the book itself. An arctic expedition of only women set in the 1850s plus some legal drama sounded really interesting. However, things quickly degraded from there. The last 25% of the book was really good, so I'm glad I finished it, but the middle 50% could have definitely been trimmed IMO.
</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- Northern Lights</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">After reading The Arctic Fury, I wanted something lighter and this book by Nora Roberts fit the bill. Part romance, part mystery, part drama, it was a quick read and I enjoyed getting to know the characters that live in Lunacy, Alaska.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i><u>Books Recommended by Students</u></i></b></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- One of Us is Lying</span></div><div dir="auto">As I was walking around my room a few weeks ago, I saw this YA book sitting on a student's desk. The cover was interesting and the summary sounded like Breakfast Club meets Christopher Pike (a YA author I enjoyed as a teen). I enjoyed the mystery aspect of the book and I look forward to chatting with my student about it.</div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- Outcast in Another Word Book 4</span></div><div dir="auto">RPG-lit / fantasy is definitely NOT my genre, but a student last year highly recommended this book series, so I gave it a shot. It's not going on my must-read lists, but it is interesting enough that I've read all of the sequels just to find out what happens next... </div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i><u>Other Books I Read this Month</u></i></b></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- Killers of the Flower Moon</span></div><div dir="auto">As a native Oklahoman, this book has had a lot of press recently as the movie was being produced, so when I got my library card, I immediately added it to my TBR list. Parts of the book read more like a novel, while other parts were very detailed. There were times that I struggled to keep all of the characters straight in my head, so I will be really interested to see how the movie brings this story to life.</div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- The Silent Patient</span></div><div dir="auto">To be honest, I expected more out of this book. It was interesting enough that I finished it, but I wasn't as enthralled as I wanted to be based on the hype. </div></div></div>druinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12363634340959613461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51958265250790371.post-51983127412015462082023-01-02T16:35:00.003-06:002023-01-02T16:35:36.566-06:00#Made4Math - Daily Habit Tracker<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9LU3tTgqQIhgpWBGy1FSNNPs5QG7y9WaKKS8UjuOlA2SJ8jwvjNLdTyoHumSVvuCJK-EOKzLB4j3rBlkcTkZog1ev9ClFt_IPZY451eXwNuSGkmDN9DlS62x5Jp32G0UxVNRY5ukavW6CDnTWofHpOt_if7g8AOSRfayt_OxBaaQ3HCvSF9ldEr0/s300/made4math_small.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="161" data-original-width="300" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9LU3tTgqQIhgpWBGy1FSNNPs5QG7y9WaKKS8UjuOlA2SJ8jwvjNLdTyoHumSVvuCJK-EOKzLB4j3rBlkcTkZog1ev9ClFt_IPZY451eXwNuSGkmDN9DlS62x5Jp32G0UxVNRY5ukavW6CDnTWofHpOt_if7g8AOSRfayt_OxBaaQ3HCvSF9ldEr0/s1600/made4math_small.png" width="300" /></a></div>Happy Monday, y'all!!<p></p><p>It's a new year and like many people, I'm wanting to work on better habits in 2023. I was talking to hubby last night about keeping track of habits and having a better way to monitor how I'm doing. I know there are a ton of habit tracker apps, but I wanted something simple.</p><p>Then, on my way to work this morning (yes - I had to report to work today!), I remembered that I had incorporated a Habit Tracker into my Teacher Planner several years ago, but then as the Teacher Planner evolved, the Habit Tracker went away for some reason.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjpXUHm0rLtNInI4_xaDy2YG2U4I7HKBXky9q25wYpqwkCnlJ9TkCtLwKrBaS3CVMw3qrCovSeOpIR7637PAM9pW4B3ItqLjF_E86r9OvZWRX7f0cmcW7UZCyFyC7hxTLiieRH7GmwtwnrSqZonSCM8IvZEUwTVyjdDgcOzbA_q2Lv371FGqJc9ask" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="231" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjpXUHm0rLtNInI4_xaDy2YG2U4I7HKBXky9q25wYpqwkCnlJ9TkCtLwKrBaS3CVMw3qrCovSeOpIR7637PAM9pW4B3ItqLjF_E86r9OvZWRX7f0cmcW7UZCyFyC7hxTLiieRH7GmwtwnrSqZonSCM8IvZEUwTVyjdDgcOzbA_q2Lv371FGqJc9ask" width="74" /></a></div>Obviously, I didn't want to recreate the wheel and I certainly don't want to remake my Teacher Planner halfway through the year, so I decided on a half-sheet bookmark style habit tracker for my planner. Since my planner is always open on my desk, I could easily see the month and since I use a disc-bound planner, I could move it from week to week easily. <p></p><p>I gave myself 10 columns for tracking habits - everything from Exercise to Blogging to updating Google Classroom. </p><p>What habits do you track? What method works best for you?</p><p><br /></p><p>If you want a copy of the PDF - <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hwbsHAivzz3UjIEbQym-bAb-_498L2Zk/view?usp=share_link">click here</a>!</p><p><br /></p>druinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12363634340959613461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51958265250790371.post-46120467121171374742022-12-31T08:54:00.001-06:002022-12-31T08:54:32.372-06:00Preparing for 2023<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_kIBws8GNkzBidBpz7Wcvp_MAe_1k2gBD6wh0syffI85kyqyGgzHorMrZMZgORjgpGZRHHNyE_nz-fZ6AG29Pdwakpo_HB60rfG447gxtijVoQcgpLTYQ6fqsHOALnGDRKahswAYZWHBKCkFDHXY3d9giicWD87b2JSs14jtHV3_63_BC_Mdg-Ko/s512/unnamed.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="512" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_kIBws8GNkzBidBpz7Wcvp_MAe_1k2gBD6wh0syffI85kyqyGgzHorMrZMZgORjgpGZRHHNyE_nz-fZ6AG29Pdwakpo_HB60rfG447gxtijVoQcgpLTYQ6fqsHOALnGDRKahswAYZWHBKCkFDHXY3d9giicWD87b2JSs14jtHV3_63_BC_Mdg-Ko/w400-h141/unnamed.png" width="400" /></a></div><br />It's still Winter Break for another day, so even though I've completed my 12 posts, I'm still considering this a Yule Blog post!<p></p><p>We've made it through another year. In my head, 2020 was just a few days ago, so I don't know how we are already at the doorstep of 2023, but here we are!</p><p>I report back to school on Monday for meetings and collaboration time, then kids come on Tuesday. Like most teachers over the break, I've been thinking about what to do on the first day of the semester. I like this time as a reset and definitely plan to do some non-curricular tasks and to revisit our classroom norms.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhRxNBEjzz7nVYsNrUUgb_PyNZXkxWP38EUFR9SuVTcrwNgMJzCrDVpH7qZYpQp6zub236CjqLQe-F2jS0F6OPZIzBQwY8McZSv9NEa8QTiWN6jZ5375PbGDNzeDg2PYrO3tJRi4Hvg6he59xb47ScJMmtM8WLE1Le10jmpXBQpc2iyhlfrY9si22s" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="876" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhRxNBEjzz7nVYsNrUUgb_PyNZXkxWP38EUFR9SuVTcrwNgMJzCrDVpH7qZYpQp6zub236CjqLQe-F2jS0F6OPZIzBQwY8McZSv9NEa8QTiWN6jZ5375PbGDNzeDg2PYrO3tJRi4Hvg6he59xb47ScJMmtM8WLE1Le10jmpXBQpc2iyhlfrY9si22s=w200-h146" width="200" /></a></div><p></p><p>But I also want to do something to recognize the fresh start of a new semester. The past few years, I've not done a great job of really reflecting on the old year and preparing for the new, so that's one of the things on the list for Tuesday.</p><p>In 2020, I played off the 20/20 vision and posted them on the board. In 2021, we were still very restricted in classroom movement and shared supplies, so I didn't do much other than the Word of the Year. In 2022, I had switched schools and was still trying to figure out life, so again, I let it slide. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhFH62F2AFwcCZHeNJF6mFt7YzEHiTV9Rvrm2wfxNRF_vIgNb-e4wnxxpmLhmPiTKlIGF5bXYACf6av7uilgDJuC3a1NSQHxj__6obrSk5W4-CtDS6W-5PCsBlz3UzFNYx1irbqWE94EOcAy-xP6heY3DdI8lBDIS7FP48VlcwzaHk5SN3cjDJ-_U0" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="659" data-original-width="521" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhFH62F2AFwcCZHeNJF6mFt7YzEHiTV9Rvrm2wfxNRF_vIgNb-e4wnxxpmLhmPiTKlIGF5bXYACf6av7uilgDJuC3a1NSQHxj__6obrSk5W4-CtDS6W-5PCsBlz3UzFNYx1irbqWE94EOcAy-xP6heY3DdI8lBDIS7FP48VlcwzaHk5SN3cjDJ-_U0" width="190" /></a></div><p></p><p>The New Year has come around again and I really want to do something again, so I had already been thinking about what to do for 2023 and since there isn't a pun with 2023, I decided to go with more of a 3-2-1 idea. </p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>2 good things that happened in 2022</li><li>0 - something to stop in 2023</li><li>2 things I look forward to in 2023</li><li>3 goals for 2023</li></ul><div>As I was thinking through this, I saw other people posting similar ideas on social media, so I know I'm not the only one planning to do this, but I wanted to share it anyway! Like I did in 2020, I will print these on quarter sized colorful paper and have them as my warmup on Tuesday before we get involved in our math tasks.</div><div><br /></div><div>If you want the 2023 paper, <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-MSJlQITgxhxhmMNvIVrfkfMuEeU3KEO/view?usp=share_link">click here for a PDF</a>!</div><p></p><p><br /></p>druinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12363634340959613461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51958265250790371.post-15877824802967155452022-12-30T08:43:00.004-06:002022-12-30T08:43:42.746-06:00#MyFavFriday - Favorites of 2022<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFiH03T87LSL0IwaqWdo-657-bBb0nYTVEvLO1T2gLHZRbA4WC7cVK2oaEb2mNM2dYLRJO7uMk8Cqf_mZ-l1uQcL9bijRUjXFuohCw1AAaz-yU9vkmU3JtHMYMzBBhjMBITufoo_ZkLM6atnz_gPrKXKP6ZPnUgm_Ql6Og4739tn5i23GPX5q9oPk/s512/unnamed.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="512" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFiH03T87LSL0IwaqWdo-657-bBb0nYTVEvLO1T2gLHZRbA4WC7cVK2oaEb2mNM2dYLRJO7uMk8Cqf_mZ-l1uQcL9bijRUjXFuohCw1AAaz-yU9vkmU3JtHMYMzBBhjMBITufoo_ZkLM6atnz_gPrKXKP6ZPnUgm_Ql6Og4739tn5i23GPX5q9oPk/w400-h141/unnamed.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjliT9ZVWJktZpUQ43kahamEhIRoza_B20ZcsH8KRGO_k0OQJluy5oDarB1L_H3cdqeBzg74U-MXsyikRDpJL6OKxPk6Ob4j9xn9jigu9_EG0paVyFpRk2NBWpsqNRkGkJp-0vIME4BVBBMfS7bbBiYAQZryZJS6TcqnewkrfMkbITDLV444w-VmwQ/s450/MFF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="310" data-original-width="450" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjliT9ZVWJktZpUQ43kahamEhIRoza_B20ZcsH8KRGO_k0OQJluy5oDarB1L_H3cdqeBzg74U-MXsyikRDpJL6OKxPk6Ob4j9xn9jigu9_EG0paVyFpRk2NBWpsqNRkGkJp-0vIME4BVBBMfS7bbBiYAQZryZJS6TcqnewkrfMkbITDLV444w-VmwQ/w200-h138/MFF.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>I've made it to the last post of the #MTBoSYuleBlog Challenge! My goal was to blog 12 times over Winter Break and today is Post 12! I still have a few more posts to write and I'm hoping to get back into the habit, but today I'm bringing back another old series from 2012... #MyFavFriday! <div><br /></div><div>This blog series was started as an answer to "My Favorites" at TMC, where people could share some of their favorite things on Fridays. Over the years, it morphed into a Friday reflection post, so in honor of the last Friday of 2022, here's some of my Favorites from throughout the year!</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i><u>My Favorite New Home Addition</u></i></b></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgtWTUJpEEVxBTVwSzhFySuBsRiZluA9lHz0EWp0JcxJUsoLIbJJzwH7rcm9cBrP8P2O7tCpCy0b_0uC3nDMTMmwXmTlugSIPnO6QIDR6tNrU1Ou5li5Y7Ay320jcTr7BLtYF0WyVqycPLsTjw8y6qS0z0QklKnBR1-wOX-OuIoxBIYhfWZLesw3Ps" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="947" data-original-width="710" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgtWTUJpEEVxBTVwSzhFySuBsRiZluA9lHz0EWp0JcxJUsoLIbJJzwH7rcm9cBrP8P2O7tCpCy0b_0uC3nDMTMmwXmTlugSIPnO6QIDR6tNrU1Ou5li5Y7Ay320jcTr7BLtYF0WyVqycPLsTjw8y6qS0z0QklKnBR1-wOX-OuIoxBIYhfWZLesw3Ps=w150-h200" width="150" /></a></div><div>Meet Gracie!</div></div><div><br /></div><div>Gracie joined our family in late June and is our 2nd cat that we've adopted from Animal Welfare, with Josie, our ringtail tabby, being the first. Gracie was estimated to be about 6 weeks old and I'm guessing she was found in a park as her name at the shelter was Fruit Salad (her siblings were Potato Salad and Pork Chop - I'm not even kidding!)</div><div><br /></div><div>I don't know that I've ever had a cat so human oriented though. For the first several weeks, she would wake us up around 3am screaming her head off because she needed to go to the bathroom, so we would have to take her upstairs to the litter box. While she thankfully sleeps through the night now, she's still into everything, loves to climb, and loves to be held. Her favorite place to snuggle is right next to your face and often drapes herself across my neck to take a nap.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><i><u>My Favorite New Classroom Addition</u></i></b></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj4c829MScohsrigHUnv7BbNZPplaqQORh5yFL64HSjL7eoaA5QWqMZb_zrtSWixcvHoO27073fmBfa1zBalu0D46SJGERncC_9sLUkFnMCkqmYHu_JczxpI4sy7Cf7RQPcBj4mtBCDsLPsiDbkdZXB1X74CwpzqkYnsZHXR_ipwUK3VOXW0j1zv_k" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="635" data-original-width="1252" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj4c829MScohsrigHUnv7BbNZPplaqQORh5yFL64HSjL7eoaA5QWqMZb_zrtSWixcvHoO27073fmBfa1zBalu0D46SJGERncC_9sLUkFnMCkqmYHu_JczxpI4sy7Cf7RQPcBj4mtBCDsLPsiDbkdZXB1X74CwpzqkYnsZHXR_ipwUK3VOXW0j1zv_k=w320-h162" width="320" /></a></div>In February, our state used some of the federal pandemic money to give classroom grants through Donors Choose. Teachers could apply for up to $800 of materials, so I asked for magnetic whiteboards (4' x 3') plus some markers / erasers. These whiteboards have been a game changer for me! We tend to get up on the boards a couple times per week, plus they allow me to easily hang things around the room, such as posters seen here for Back to School. With these 7 boards plus my large whiteboard, I have room for up to 10 groups of students. Earlier this fall, I also applied for a grant to get magnetic graphs, so hopefully that will be added soon!<br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><i><u>My Favorite Classroom Hack</u></i></b></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhfjCT-zNUgJjLUmXDUdzzlfLrtN3EhVZMnf5RFawaag5z2iXlH7-C0hVVTHM2VQSOCBmgeTy08sBSB2EgzNmI9a_vMyMQCZqStEM0M7CbD2i6HJ6UarCmCo-PMFysTanREkYg-gGbvfI80IhKF51Uo6n0ro624FynIgzJ3KpQhNb9_Nczn_fEFr84" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="674" data-original-width="708" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhfjCT-zNUgJjLUmXDUdzzlfLrtN3EhVZMnf5RFawaag5z2iXlH7-C0hVVTHM2VQSOCBmgeTy08sBSB2EgzNmI9a_vMyMQCZqStEM0M7CbD2i6HJ6UarCmCo-PMFysTanREkYg-gGbvfI80IhKF51Uo6n0ro624FynIgzJ3KpQhNb9_Nczn_fEFr84=w200-h190" width="200" /></a></div>Since the whiteboards are magnetic, I am often hanging things up around the room, whether it's a scavenger hunt or some other resource. Originally, I was carrying around the magnets by hand, but it was too much to juggle, so I had the idea of putting them on a cheap cookie sheet and it's been an awesome hack!</div><div><br /></div><div>Now I just walk around my room with the cookie sheet and whatever resource I'm putting up (or taking down) and the magnets stay nice and organized. </div><div><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><i><u>My Favorite Math in Nature</u></i></b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhr60bowC47sT8KRwlDd6fBHrNf6cXKOekG8X4c-YU37yRgI2Ebe0U3-rQ2lf4jXCmvgxtAC1--1-HUMOmlM_D1q-C96s1osKQ_kZWWEhlPtjlqyMFVITBHlwLQFRca1OH--VMgmloKXU0l4Wl3PNkJe_Spx1ibrD608u9aOZcfQ_psdMFfAMtvXJY" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="691" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhr60bowC47sT8KRwlDd6fBHrNf6cXKOekG8X4c-YU37yRgI2Ebe0U3-rQ2lf4jXCmvgxtAC1--1-HUMOmlM_D1q-C96s1osKQ_kZWWEhlPtjlqyMFVITBHlwLQFRca1OH--VMgmloKXU0l4Wl3PNkJe_Spx1ibrD608u9aOZcfQ_psdMFfAMtvXJY=w200-h193" width="200" /></a></div>Last week, we had a cold front sweep through and we ended up with about 1" of snow and a bitter cold wind. I kept watching outside my front door for our outdoor stray cats to make sure they were okay and I noticed this bizarre circle just off my front porch. I couldn't figure out what could have made the imprint as it looked like the bottom of a plastic pail, but there were no pails in sight! Just then, a burst of wind happened and I noticed the leaf that was stuck at the center rotating. As a Geometry teacher, I had to snap a photo to show my students about nature's compass! </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>What have been some of your favorites from 2022?</div><div><p><br /></p></div>druinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12363634340959613461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51958265250790371.post-39570441456947121162022-12-29T09:28:00.000-06:002022-12-29T09:28:06.431-06:00Books on my #EduRead list for 2023<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9NueZrmmnFTgDVo9FTFqhvQyIiRNi-6NhuigT5ulcY2rKnEzbS5Tnz_q8TqcJZn8dkjnWqZqa9W-37zYk5nglsZi7kgG0sJtLDi19K-KF6ps5hsX35dgrSIur1e-dS_zROwlmxcaEPQPYd4YJ2UihSbNNa_gAHzHC8fXPl915faf10s3Iitxc4TE/s512/unnamed.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="512" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9NueZrmmnFTgDVo9FTFqhvQyIiRNi-6NhuigT5ulcY2rKnEzbS5Tnz_q8TqcJZn8dkjnWqZqa9W-37zYk5nglsZi7kgG0sJtLDi19K-KF6ps5hsX35dgrSIur1e-dS_zROwlmxcaEPQPYd4YJ2UihSbNNa_gAHzHC8fXPl915faf10s3Iitxc4TE/w400-h141/unnamed.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /> I broke my streak.... shocking, I know! I looked a few days ago at previous #MTBoSYuleBlog challenges and I think I've only made my goal of 12 posts one time. This is Post 11 for this year, so I'm *almost* there (and I still have 3 more days to go until Winter Break is over!) Yesterday was just a rough day and while I wanted to blog, I was at a total standstill. After I had stared at my screen for about 5 hours, I gave up and ran some errands, then came back to settle in with my Kindle.<p></p><p>Then, in response to my whiny tweet about breaking my streak, my dear friend Meg responded with:</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhK-0jE33oyQos3-TLxTKN4DB1k-gBjXp2KMKbsUtgFbSXUkyfbeudT-mAnNAp7UPt8tCdHRggI-ske46ZNKyCdHEe5In7PQddzItN5ThMzu5-Qj_T5DklWmTOmAhoT4oQEeqVRAIKhih2Q81DmFIG7uQtEABlzfVrNcWg6Du5hrC5tvx9jBsRZ5FE" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="175" data-original-width="524" height="107" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhK-0jE33oyQos3-TLxTKN4DB1k-gBjXp2KMKbsUtgFbSXUkyfbeudT-mAnNAp7UPt8tCdHRggI-ske46ZNKyCdHEe5In7PQddzItN5ThMzu5-Qj_T5DklWmTOmAhoT4oQEeqVRAIKhih2Q81DmFIG7uQtEABlzfVrNcWg6Du5hrC5tvx9jBsRZ5FE" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Oh man - that's a toughie! So here we go.... (in no particular order)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjkwJdqS_h1YFlIVf-6fLBmshbSXoNQvaZe8EM5smGtNlau8zt47-s9l6FLX-etvyWNaP6X8QseOqXrHNHFpYNNKpLmOaiIzv98Rbe-9CGfQo5msM8FyHJhTfqKSgaLANnrL3bFCa2xLE0FDOZ8P0tNcnapZEff8Egqz0_EY12fbgAckoH5M_n75aM" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="947" data-original-width="710" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjkwJdqS_h1YFlIVf-6fLBmshbSXoNQvaZe8EM5smGtNlau8zt47-s9l6FLX-etvyWNaP6X8QseOqXrHNHFpYNNKpLmOaiIzv98Rbe-9CGfQo5msM8FyHJhTfqKSgaLANnrL3bFCa2xLE0FDOZ8P0tNcnapZEff8Egqz0_EY12fbgAckoH5M_n75aM=w150-h200" width="150" /></a></div><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Imperfect-Unfinished-Math-Teacher-Grades/dp/1071841521">The Imperfect and Unfinished Math Teacher by Chase Orton</a><br /><br />On Tuesday, we went to my Mom's for Christmas and to set up her new phone. When I got home, this book was in the mailbox as a gift from a dear friend and I'm so excited to dig in! I had heard of this book from Twitter, but other than liking the title, I really didn't know much about it. From the sample on Amazon, it's about a journey of professional development on a more personal level. I know many teachers have already had that realization that our professional growth is truly our own responsibility versus the "sit and get" PD that many schools and districts provide.<br /><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Most of my #EduReads are on my Kindle:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhgBTyS58ZSgHN7Cx2efWC-K0Z2XyfUjdhp-iwCZy62DuKJSzSeCDr0L1wn8lURI4j6Bvb5vrtnUFvY7IH4SEEKgkUx-ugI2Kz_TywmkeTLpFU2JD4Bv1EsUb_vE-kZNzXQtcsrgRgTspHmR27MdCaqSZ9Ic9jx42cUaDesvNSpJCylrQrUm8xlQiI" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="705" data-original-width="1056" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhgBTyS58ZSgHN7Cx2efWC-K0Z2XyfUjdhp-iwCZy62DuKJSzSeCDr0L1wn8lURI4j6Bvb5vrtnUFvY7IH4SEEKgkUx-ugI2Kz_TywmkeTLpFU2JD4Bv1EsUb_vE-kZNzXQtcsrgRgTspHmR27MdCaqSZ9Ic9jx42cUaDesvNSpJCylrQrUm8xlQiI" width="320" /></a></div><br />This is not all of the books I have ready to read, but it's definitely the most recent ones! :) <br /><br />A few weeks ago, @pamjwilson mentioned she would like to read the <a href="https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07JH49XSD/ref=kinw_myk_ro_title">Teaching Math in the Visible Learning Classroom</a> this semester and try to implement some of the strategies, so it's at the top of my list!<br /><br />The other books seen here were all books that were on sale on Kindle recently. In fact, <a href="https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B09BN43BP4/ref=kinw_myk_ro_title">Math Games with Bad Drawings</a> is currently on sale for $2.99. I read his book on calculus (<a href="https://smile.amazon.com/Change-Only-Constant-Wisdom-Calculus-ebook/dp/B07NCXGQC3/ref=d_dccs_mdi_sccl_1_3/133-7782431-5729165?pd_rd_w=ijlck&content-id=amzn1.sym.bd415a11-8cc5-4919-ad94-5fb4ec1e70df&pf_rd_p=bd415a11-8cc5-4919-ad94-5fb4ec1e70df&pf_rd_r=RTQXKHVT3AG79CX3HEQ1&pd_rd_wg=odFpN&pd_rd_r=a6e86ea1-d2d1-4277-a058-ca7d4fd70aca&pd_rd_i=B07NCXGQC3&psc=1">Change is the Only Constant</a>) and LOVED it, so when I saw Math with Bad Drawings and Math Games with Bad Drawings on sale this fall, I snapped them up, but haven't read them yet.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I check the Kindle Book Deals about once a week just to see if there's anything new on sale or on Kindle Unlimited. I like having the ability to read / highlight passages and then I purchase physical copies of the books I liked for my classroom. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If you are interested in reading any of these books and chatting about them, please let me know! If there's another book on your to-be-read pile, let me know that too - I'm always looking for new books! :)</div><p></p>druinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12363634340959613461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51958265250790371.post-63730816384429227852022-12-27T10:13:00.003-06:002022-12-27T10:14:44.881-06:00Exploring Open Middle Math<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8TsEj2BZylDyUcHKyM4P7fSzB2sVXwjEI9uhU0cxUL01Zfx7J7NXsIaVrUlq9YmmxhPK7-gQsR6GJKS7R62MsPdo3olJdDAxM6V-1wq0E8Bvm-8QgETlnlN9kRz7omLOl1CSGfaRTTfBkh6pUDcTRNjMuhu98UTzjtbC4BLiYgceuwRweoheAdTs/s512/unnamed.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="512" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8TsEj2BZylDyUcHKyM4P7fSzB2sVXwjEI9uhU0cxUL01Zfx7J7NXsIaVrUlq9YmmxhPK7-gQsR6GJKS7R62MsPdo3olJdDAxM6V-1wq0E8Bvm-8QgETlnlN9kRz7omLOl1CSGfaRTTfBkh6pUDcTRNjMuhu98UTzjtbC4BLiYgceuwRweoheAdTs/w400-h141/unnamed.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>I have always loved books and loved to read. As a kid, I loved spending time in our town library and as an adult, used book stores are some of my favorite places. In my home office, I have multiple bookcases of math / math-ed books and even have a healthy dose of "to-be-read" books on my Kindle regarding math (but that's another post for another day....)</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhzHoIrEoW_0JmgJZMoPOooYMbquhP3JybH0jNfR9V4V-OcJaYbIZ3VqG5zA01txyC0XhSifgJRsSTZNUCAGMDrSs7Da8I9p61KN_c6t9tqnHFw0Op59OEyIs_1YAMcBozneEp_mL1LTUazLi4I3GhHAzxaB9keSBGF35KOpsedM87GPzrfVCji7dg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="364" data-original-width="276" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhzHoIrEoW_0JmgJZMoPOooYMbquhP3JybH0jNfR9V4V-OcJaYbIZ3VqG5zA01txyC0XhSifgJRsSTZNUCAGMDrSs7Da8I9p61KN_c6t9tqnHFw0Op59OEyIs_1YAMcBozneEp_mL1LTUazLi4I3GhHAzxaB9keSBGF35KOpsedM87GPzrfVCji7dg=w152-h200" width="152" /></a></div>Over the summer, one of the books I picked up was <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Open-Middle-Math-Problems-Thinking/dp/1625311745">Open Middle Math by Robert Kaplinsky</a>. I was already familiar with the idea of Open Middle and had used some of the <a href="https://www.openmiddle.com/">problems from the website</a> in my classroom in the past, but I was interested in learning more about how they could be used. Here's a quote from early on in the book:<p></p><blockquote><div>
<p><i>To be sure, using Open Middle problems does not eliminate student misconceptions entirely. However, since using them, I now see student misconceptions more clearly and can use them as talking points to strengthen mathematical understandings during the lesson instead of simply lamenting missed opportunities afterward.</i></p>
</div></blockquote><p>I should say that prior to reading the book, I had <a href="https://robertkaplinsky.com/worksheets-sunsec">watched the webinar</a> and had looked at the <a href="https://robertkaplinsky.com/tag/open-middle-math-depth-of-knowledge-matrix/">DOK Matrix</a> for Open Middle Problems, so I was very familiar with the idea, but I thought of Open Middle problems more as a warmup or a formative assessment piece rather than to explore misconceptions. I was intrigued by this concept and decided I wanted to try more of these in my classroom....</p><p>Again, early in the book, Mr. Kaplinsky has this suggestion to introduce the process of Open Middle:</p><blockquote><div>
<p><i>Using the digits 1 to 9 at most one time each, place a digit in each box to create a sum that is as close to 1,000 as possible. What’s great about this problem is that very few children or adults get it right the first time, yet very few give up either because it doesn’t feel unreasonable.</i></p></div></blockquote><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEikwzf1Q40hPLHG54Or1okt_LAl0R6bqzZIESzyLlEvmSMO8j4PhiLDFZyAnJFYxgqZw2nFgpk7qm3LpIQaC0H-KEC55Y5p49te7pCDFp6J55IlPu0jfkc0pBr1YlbBs5bu0nSqgpmzVo8AKsum_isJGxNUX00s6r0vmfWvwT7-41hlX4FYROLLvrk" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="588" data-original-width="708" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEikwzf1Q40hPLHG54Or1okt_LAl0R6bqzZIESzyLlEvmSMO8j4PhiLDFZyAnJFYxgqZw2nFgpk7qm3LpIQaC0H-KEC55Y5p49te7pCDFp6J55IlPu0jfkc0pBr1YlbBs5bu0nSqgpmzVo8AKsum_isJGxNUX00s6r0vmfWvwT7-41hlX4FYROLLvrk=w200-h166" width="200" /></a></div>Okay - I can do that! I made a quick template for Sum of 1000, printed off one per table, put them into dry erase sleeves with a small envelope of numbers and set it aside to use as one of my first days of school non-curricular tasks. <div><br /></div><div>But, as often happens, life got in the way and this task didn't get used until a few weeks later when I was doing another activity and needed something for the groups that finished first. This task was a great one for that purpose as it was challenging, yet do-able, but it didn't quite meet the goal of introducing all students to the idea of an Open Middle Problem. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh1g3xRnGcrn3pV8hqxU68VsPwdeCYdpIjy5QDxUfD4TwR03FYSk9KokDMcos73mMJth5Rel2w1xwQAnTCPWWjupLS42zbmUX-5yR5Ah2wwVfFPkDia_OuHtBdl5GTfBQoGAbTHWBuuDc9HL3aSfHdZHeZ43F9jhDYGVgGilH45hJmWYSDAaHZQcN0" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="691" data-original-width="911" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh1g3xRnGcrn3pV8hqxU68VsPwdeCYdpIjy5QDxUfD4TwR03FYSk9KokDMcos73mMJth5Rel2w1xwQAnTCPWWjupLS42zbmUX-5yR5Ah2wwVfFPkDia_OuHtBdl5GTfBQoGAbTHWBuuDc9HL3aSfHdZHeZ43F9jhDYGVgGilH45hJmWYSDAaHZQcN0=w200-h152" width="200" /></a></div><div>Still, I really liked this idea. I dug through the <a href="https://www.openmiddle.com/">website</a>, looking for all of the Geometry problems that I thought would apply to my classes and made 8.5x11 sized printouts for each of them. </div><div><br /></div><div>A few weeks later, we were looking at the midpoint of a line segment, so I decided to give my students this problem to see how they would tackle it. This group started with the points that gave a negative slope, then drew in the horizontal and vertical lines to show those values could NOT be used for the positive slope points. As was noted above, one misconception that I noticed while my students were working was the tendency to want to make all of the line segments have a slope of 1 or -1.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>In the book, Mr. Kaplinsky really ties in a lot with the idea of the <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Practices-Orchestrating-Productive-Mathematical-Discussion/dp/1680540165/ref=asc_df_1680540165/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312543040920&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=10283595787737370863&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9026521&hvtargid=pla-523136989609&psc=1">5 practices</a>, including the element of how to have students share their work with others. To be honest, I haven't made it to that point yet and I need to re-read the book on a better way to do that, but right now, I'm just trying to figure out how to make them better fit into my classroom.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh2KmA2iA_hED3CxulJqkBDGPZuhGIrB8WfjyICxVrcxZoPjOdRVA4md3iORplrn3WwzswAURRJzlSPDpFEKEDupIi0-eb7mA3FMNNeDVw97KCI9ptHo7qz93XNCVGMKjQwnBGXDeXKv1Bt6BGZYe396ULEf4GaJ7ruFOUcjBBv5FLzlzp_iYaM9JA" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh2KmA2iA_hED3CxulJqkBDGPZuhGIrB8WfjyICxVrcxZoPjOdRVA4md3iORplrn3WwzswAURRJzlSPDpFEKEDupIi0-eb7mA3FMNNeDVw97KCI9ptHo7qz93XNCVGMKjQwnBGXDeXKv1Bt6BGZYe396ULEf4GaJ7ruFOUcjBBv5FLzlzp_iYaM9JA" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg4XnB41qiPqs225bkZfEDbyviLMt9FWbuRd6oCFQsg7dwoXm8lKKTp-DEBGbGqPO58ksYC-CvcknmagPfn6fuRDudB0NT5WN0aaTwC_A8PZcw6AJm8dC6ykGws3GzjKVuNqKhKvESZbM6npMrOWncx40CH-pUbvPFI2vc947W09Al5Tq97PY1HwMw" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="814" data-original-width="1069" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg4XnB41qiPqs225bkZfEDbyviLMt9FWbuRd6oCFQsg7dwoXm8lKKTp-DEBGbGqPO58ksYC-CvcknmagPfn6fuRDudB0NT5WN0aaTwC_A8PZcw6AJm8dC6ykGws3GzjKVuNqKhKvESZbM6npMrOWncx40CH-pUbvPFI2vc947W09Al5Tq97PY1HwMw=w200-h152" width="200" /></a></div><br /><br /></div>Our last chapter before Winter Break was an Intro to Triangles, so I think this Pythagorean Task might be one that I try next week before we continue into our next unit on Congruent Triangles. As recommended by the book, I need to sit down and try it myself first so I can anticipate issues!</div><div><br /></div><div>I really like the idea of using Open Middle tasks more, but honestly, I run into the problem of <i><u>want.to.try.all.the.things.</u></i> I hear of these wonderful and great ideas and I want to try them, but there's just not enough time in the day / school year to do all that I want to do! </div><div><br /></div><div>But I really do see the value in Open Middle, so here are other tasks I am looking at for next week.... Now to sit down, give it a shot and see which one I really want to do!<br />- <a href="https://www.openmiddle.com/area-on-a-coordinate-plane-1/">Area of a Triangle (Coordinate Plane)</a></div><div>- <a href="https://www.openmiddle.com/creating-right-triangles-2/">Creating a Right Triangle (Coordinates)</a><br />- <a href="https://www.openmiddle.com/creating-3-lines-to-form-right-triangle/">Creating a Right Triangle (Equations)</a><br />- <a href="https://www.openmiddle.com/creating-right-triangles/">Creating a Right Triangle (One Coordinate Given)</a><br />- <a href="https://www.openmiddle.com/triangle-sum-theorem/">Triangle Sum Theorem </a></div><div><br /></div><div>If you have experience using Open Middle Tasks in Geometry (or Statistics) or want to collaborate, please let me know! </div><div><br /></div>druinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12363634340959613461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51958265250790371.post-43020589243022760972022-12-26T09:21:00.001-06:002022-12-26T09:21:30.838-06:00#Made4Math - Creating a Scavenger Hunt<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkwgkA4CKfXLFjwEBNNhXCNru3CnuSEL7TiKEFwjhFuOyk6gFjj7gXE8v10PRKHy93AZwrcW3c5Qrv_fhZ4fj7UgDKzKaNmbCfiFJ6dBmckZgjOhV4O1nqb2yeoO7d_1aVKmqO0imHAvkJAW4Rlye0qe9bGHSc7Enn89JTtqYEZv5EWdGixb0ANko/s512/unnamed.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="512" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkwgkA4CKfXLFjwEBNNhXCNru3CnuSEL7TiKEFwjhFuOyk6gFjj7gXE8v10PRKHy93AZwrcW3c5Qrv_fhZ4fj7UgDKzKaNmbCfiFJ6dBmckZgjOhV4O1nqb2yeoO7d_1aVKmqO0imHAvkJAW4Rlye0qe9bGHSc7Enn89JTtqYEZv5EWdGixb0ANko/w400-h141/unnamed.png" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>Happy Monday! </p><p>Over 10 years ago, in June 2012, @pamjwilson and I started a blog series called <a href="https://statteacher.blogspot.com/2012/06/introducing-made-4-math-mondays.html">#Made4Math</a> Mondays. Since then, so many wonderful ideas have been shared from the MTBoS. I kept up with my weekly Monday posts for a long time before it ended up being just a summer thing and then trickled into a very sporadic posting. But I do miss those Mondays - it was a great way to push myself creatively and to come up with new ideas for my classroom.</p><p>This year has been a lot about creativity for me. For the past few years, students have been pretty passive participants in the classroom, either due to being online or due to COVID restrictions that kept us from doing more active learning. One of my subgoals this year was to have kids up and around the classroom at least once a week, so an Around the Room Scavenger Hunt is a go-to activity for me!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgP0BURG8Gq0gktcthJPw6S4wLwhsNszGfcMXi4xH7NGEucAM5i-eiQo_W3T3MsMzaoKiufZPhoPBPptSdV-jiSWTJuDKIOOCX6CvMVCoWBBohL1oP2vKl9GBEZ-o-ta43MrTrf-zjkiDciNoLjPmf8JEqZG3ly12QgjTaLghh63ETjaf-dVQXDQ7A" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="752" data-original-width="1494" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgP0BURG8Gq0gktcthJPw6S4wLwhsNszGfcMXi4xH7NGEucAM5i-eiQo_W3T3MsMzaoKiufZPhoPBPptSdV-jiSWTJuDKIOOCX6CvMVCoWBBohL1oP2vKl9GBEZ-o-ta43MrTrf-zjkiDciNoLjPmf8JEqZG3ly12QgjTaLghh63ETjaf-dVQXDQ7A" width="320" /></a><div style="text-align: left;">If you've never used a scavenger hunt, you can see an example at the right. There are 13 problems on this one, which is just about right for the size of my classroom. Each page has a problem at the bottom and a "Previous Answer" spot at the top. Kids start at any problem, record the letter from the top corner, work the problem and go find its answer. If they work through the problems correctly, they should end up back where they started. This scavenger hunt is one I made about a month ago for Triangle Sum Theorem and Exterior Angle Theorem. The problems are from a <a href="https://www.kutasoftware.com/freeige.html">Kuta worksheet</a>.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><i><u>Why I love Scavenger Hunts:</u></i></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Gets kids up and moving</li><li>Only takes about 15-20 minutes, so it's a good post-lesson practice</li><li>Kids are more willing to do 13 problems here than a 5-6 question worksheet - go figure!</li><li>Low stakes - the answers are somewhere in the room!</li><li>Kids can work with a different partner</li><li>Promotes mathematical discussion</li><li>I love hearing the "productive noise" that occurs during these!</li></ul><div>Okay - are you ready to make your own? All you need is a <a href="https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1Z4q7jihbBoWYTdgYv1Xtvbk2uRc5STEr/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=106463950567116037637&rtpof=true&sd=true">copy of the template</a> and 13 problems, each with a unique answer! Here we go...</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgHSUv5Ff0ar8ZY8NI8f-XDeM8fSClBvW_xX_hqtiiq-ZKg88KRdNVx-54sLmsFZfmP4rZLGhdmNfusf3bOFgwEofwIQlOPTNZZ1T1MSBzts_CUfqV2PvwvplTxukhSacPkk1IBuPITN0Q6fH0jV4I8AwPRzGwGKYkqTLBgRDvku-yZnHevlU0BX8Y" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="756" data-original-width="1489" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgHSUv5Ff0ar8ZY8NI8f-XDeM8fSClBvW_xX_hqtiiq-ZKg88KRdNVx-54sLmsFZfmP4rZLGhdmNfusf3bOFgwEofwIQlOPTNZZ1T1MSBzts_CUfqV2PvwvplTxukhSacPkk1IBuPITN0Q6fH0jV4I8AwPRzGwGKYkqTLBgRDvku-yZnHevlU0BX8Y" width="320" /></a></div>When you <a href="https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1Z4q7jihbBoWYTdgYv1Xtvbk2uRc5STEr/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=106463950567116037637&rtpof=true&sd=true">open the template</a>, it looks a lot like a blank Powerpoint file. I like to start out with the file in Slide Sorter Mode, so it looks very similar to the image on the left.</div><div><br /></div><div>The first screen is a place for you to record your answer key / order. The rest of the screens are currently in alphabetical order, but I find it easiest to go ahead and scramble them at this point so I can just add my problems in order from screen to screen. After I'm done with all of my problems, I will put it back into alphabetical order so I can print the file to post in my classroom or print to PDF to post on my LMS for absent students. </div><div><br /></div><div>To add the problems, I just use the Snipping Tool function to copy and paste into the blank section at the bottom of each page, adding any textboxes that I need, then type its answer at the top of the next page in the Previous Answer box. You'll notice that the Previous Answer uses a colon instead of a dash to hopefully reduce confusion with negative answers! You can use any problems you have on hand, but you do need to make sure that each problem has a unique answer and no duplicates!<br /><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiSKheBCdTASiQelSNwWwMghtBn61tJt9HAKMnAiYs2oPFIF2vN1VyoFyCWRQ2ERA0dqNR58Y2-xMQQAvWYe62jHWLJWOl6B4eSCLBXZI3uoQJR8CXN29BCnQYfWeu1-WSq7OkTGKuj-cGTieeS7xgifZoPIiR7BLXH4_OdcNZ731qMCJVbSlWGXp8" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="491" data-original-width="769" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiSKheBCdTASiQelSNwWwMghtBn61tJt9HAKMnAiYs2oPFIF2vN1VyoFyCWRQ2ERA0dqNR58Y2-xMQQAvWYe62jHWLJWOl6B4eSCLBXZI3uoQJR8CXN29BCnQYfWeu1-WSq7OkTGKuj-cGTieeS7xgifZoPIiR7BLXH4_OdcNZ731qMCJVbSlWGXp8" width="320" /></a></div>I often use scavenger hunts to practice a couple of concepts together, as a way to break up our test review days, or as practice after lecture to get them up and moving. </div><div><br /></div><div>When we do a scavenger hunt, I give students a <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1CL46GCQOJSj4EXZ1ZtHReeSkjgbCUJqh/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=106463950567116037637&rtpof=true&sd=true">half-page recording sheet</a> seen at the right. They record the order of stations at the top, then they have boxes below to show any work. I also put any formulas or tips / hints that I feel might be helpful. One thing I like about the recording sheet is that I can easily check their work with my answer sheet since I just need to shift the paper to see if the letters line up! </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>In case you missed them above, here are the files:</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1Z4q7jihbBoWYTdgYv1Xtvbk2uRc5STEr/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106463950567116037637&rtpof=true&sd=true">Scavenger Hunt Template</a></li><li><a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1CL46GCQOJSj4EXZ1ZtHReeSkjgbCUJqh/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106463950567116037637&rtpof=true&sd=true">Recording Sheet Template</a></li></ul></div></div></div><br /><br /><p></p>druinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12363634340959613461noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51958265250790371.post-41477544469694352982022-12-25T10:08:00.003-06:002022-12-25T10:08:47.911-06:00Review Games I Want to Try<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjuXpP8gE5HCxWej8EEMSyjce_DdCit3XUq9I6cuSUTJxNw_WbSSPx8yrZhdIk2UUkw0KS_odtIzl_rIbBN5AJxJ0P0sE-KAKeKEenA0XNxe6Aq17PYhELuqokbF9hZrgWusk0lIx3xtwianNbPbLxiv-TXqu_B9QMk5WDCJJ3Kr7SUav3vkaQUmk/s512/unnamed.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="512" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjuXpP8gE5HCxWej8EEMSyjce_DdCit3XUq9I6cuSUTJxNw_WbSSPx8yrZhdIk2UUkw0KS_odtIzl_rIbBN5AJxJ0P0sE-KAKeKEenA0XNxe6Aq17PYhELuqokbF9hZrgWusk0lIx3xtwianNbPbLxiv-TXqu_B9QMk5WDCJJ3Kr7SUav3vkaQUmk/w400-h141/unnamed.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Wow, y'all - I've made it to Post #8! It's Christmas Day and all is pretty quiet around here. We still have some snow on the ground, but it's supposed to make it above freezing today, so I'm pretty excited about that. The typical daytime high in my area of the world for this time of year is in the upper 40s, so to have been below freezing since Thursday morning is not the norm!</p><p>Several of the posts over the Yule Blog Challenge this year have been about my Professional Learning Focus (PLF) and my goal of having a more active and engaged classroom. Today, I want to look at some of the games on my "still-want-to-try" list. Many of these are on my list because I just haven't figured out some of the logistics - I would love to hear your ideas!<br /><br /></p><p><b><i><u>Balloon Pop from MissCalcul8<br /></u></i></b></p><div style="text-align: left;"><b><i><u><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhOOrP1h77_2Sb9br4oabeoqj1g4tqjcSpJ8CAx69uG8XkFDreN0X0OaPeqHJjAob6m24PvEriBysXZ3Z0FsX-7C8Uvfh-DgJWtb3qSxUIiviC3slAbRtrHavc8eHnLhjz0aAstVSYpYkrGq65fFAhe0e-NcbHC7p9jOCsKl1d9lhjGD5OaQy46qws" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="362" data-original-width="408" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhOOrP1h77_2Sb9br4oabeoqj1g4tqjcSpJ8CAx69uG8XkFDreN0X0OaPeqHJjAob6m24PvEriBysXZ3Z0FsX-7C8Uvfh-DgJWtb3qSxUIiviC3slAbRtrHavc8eHnLhjz0aAstVSYpYkrGq65fFAhe0e-NcbHC7p9jOCsKl1d9lhjGD5OaQy46qws=w200-h178" width="200" /></a></u></i></b></div><p></p><p>When I asked on Twitter earlier this fall about favorite review games, one of the frequent comments was about <a href="https://math-in-the-middle.com/2015/11/30/a-review-game-that-students-love-attack/">Castle Attack</a>. For whatever reason, I really struggled to figure the game out, so I went to my trusty <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/druinok/review-games/">Pinterest board to look for review games</a> and found this link to the <a href="http://misscalculate.blogspot.com/2011/03/balloon-pop-review-game.html">MissCalcul8 blog for Balloon Pop</a>. While I was looking around at review games, I also ran across this <a href="https://mathequalslove.net/balloon-pop-review-game/">link from MathEqualsLove</a> where Sarah also tried Balloon Pop with success!</p><p>Sadly, the link to the Balloons file doesn't appear to be working, but since I got a color printer for my birthday, I'm really excited to try this one out soon! </p><p><br /></p><p><b><i><u>Connect 4</u></i></b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhxkqWrbr5GBChqm6Zcc68oCC7wqmwR52_jidf4XeTFKewzVpZOovzueYYSUlrAk5vqCdaixxaLSk99s6KL-PuPOKOMwR1BzFWQ85dloGUuBTt2oE7DTz66wmY8PHqw3_v5Hwu42SvbKuT4aO-ZNcTnV_taW9gvJvYdaAtjpnzpu9N_aq3tDp0UD4w" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="347" data-original-width="308" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhxkqWrbr5GBChqm6Zcc68oCC7wqmwR52_jidf4XeTFKewzVpZOovzueYYSUlrAk5vqCdaixxaLSk99s6KL-PuPOKOMwR1BzFWQ85dloGUuBTt2oE7DTz66wmY8PHqw3_v5Hwu42SvbKuT4aO-ZNcTnV_taW9gvJvYdaAtjpnzpu9N_aq3tDp0UD4w=w178-h200" width="178" /></a></div>Another game on my Pinterest board (and my "want to try" list) is <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BC-zX3TyXK3/">Connect 4</a>. The version that I saw on Pinterest used sticky notes for each team. I've also seen printable versions that can be used with dry erase sheets and in <a href="https://onegoodthingteach.wordpress.com/2022/04/05/connect-4/">Rebecka Peterson's session</a> this summer, she shared a Google Slides version of the game with movable electronic pieces.<p></p><p>I really like the simplicity of the game and I remember it being one of my favorite indoor recess games as a child, but I just can't bear to waste that many sticky notes in a day! Since my boards are magnetic, I'm wondering about creating a projectable game board and then printing colored game pieces that are reusable. Since my markerboards are all magnetic, I think it could work, I just need to figure out some logistics - How many game pieces do I need? How large to make them? How big of a game board? If you have any experience with this game, please do chime in! :)</p><p><br /></p><p><b><i><u>Let the Cards Decide</u></i></b><br />A few days ago, Beth (@algebrasfriend) shared a <a href="http://algebrasfriend.blogspot.com/2022/12/tips-for-january-back-to-school.html">Back to School blog post</a> that had a link to <a href="https://www.mrseteachesmath.com/2019/07/review-game-let-cards-decide.html">Let the Cards Decide by Mrs. E</a>. While I've not played this game, when I read the post, it reminded me a lot of why I like the Blooket games - there's an element of luck / chance about who ends up winning! This also reminds me of the <a href="https://onegoodthingteach.wordpress.com/2022/05/02/proud-6/">spinner game that Rebecka shared</a> last spring. </p><p><br /></p><p><b><i><u>Candy Land / Board Games</u></i></b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjYiG2P6ZVR7C94Y4w6VOYB-EGM36rqGAO2R7G3jqWXuUJvpvoxoH--dNjf0FPy_DVSx6pkUPh2mWKIobe8elX35vzn3-x48iRJIIsLLQdastZDMpX12J-TrAkXiSo8DcKgPEJF_kfd4Ytzekp5r8C5uUvNJxk_AhiFzChbJqQeHU6cFuCiQY4CDDU" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="901" data-original-width="579" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjYiG2P6ZVR7C94Y4w6VOYB-EGM36rqGAO2R7G3jqWXuUJvpvoxoH--dNjf0FPy_DVSx6pkUPh2mWKIobe8elX35vzn3-x48iRJIIsLLQdastZDMpX12J-TrAkXiSo8DcKgPEJF_kfd4Ytzekp5r8C5uUvNJxk_AhiFzChbJqQeHU6cFuCiQY4CDDU=w128-h200" width="128" /></a></div><a href="https://twitter.com/abel_jennifer/status/855482114690740226?s=20&t=xA4i_R1qGvzUpgVOy4KUFQ">This tweet from Jennifer Abel</a> has been in an open browser tab for way longer than I want to admit! I have in the back of my mind that I'll scour some thrift stores to find old board games, but honestly, I don't have the storage space for that in my classroom.<div><br /></div><div>Then I found this <a href="https://deceptivelyeducational.blogspot.com/2015/04/equivalent-fractions-missing-numerator.html">beautiful printable game board</a> that I could put into a file folder and laminate, but that hasn't happened yet either....<br /><br />In Rebecka's games session that I mentioned yesterday, she shared a <a href="https://onegoodthingteach.wordpress.com/2021/12/08/candyland-and-tutors/">digital game board</a>, but again, since my whiteboard is magnetic, I thought that having actual game pieces to move might be fun, so I purchased <a href="https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B08GX8GFRX?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1">some inexpensive magnets from Amazon</a> to try, but like everything else on my list, this is still on the "want-to-try" list! </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><i><u>Bean Bag Toss</u></i></b><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh-EYfBxZu82jyCA18w3pXhfO_YKiL3L6SU2dDJawJxAWDPvv26WeN9Ca9Pe2gE0M5Yyn5g7UZb8UnQi4KhALJwECd9Z9r8PwoaJJSZfw-E-EuiV1KZI2tdfAhdtuxzyFPb26cCr7wGMMiY8-OWQuesldGKnp4nuCLBfKZOeu5XDoWqiiYQy02O76g" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="607" data-original-width="610" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh-EYfBxZu82jyCA18w3pXhfO_YKiL3L6SU2dDJawJxAWDPvv26WeN9Ca9Pe2gE0M5Yyn5g7UZb8UnQi4KhALJwECd9Z9r8PwoaJJSZfw-E-EuiV1KZI2tdfAhdtuxzyFPb26cCr7wGMMiY8-OWQuesldGKnp4nuCLBfKZOeu5XDoWqiiYQy02O76g=w200-h199" width="200" /></a></div>Over Thanksgiving Break, I was asking on Twitter about Review Games and Elissa (@misscalcul8) was sharing that a favorite of her students was a velcro dart board. I knew I had seen them at Dollar Tree, but our local Dollar Tree store leaves a lot to be desired, so I started looking on Amazon at the Black Friday deals. <br /><br />I ended up finding this 3-in-1 game for $8 - it has a bean bag toss, a velcro dart board, and some other game that I haven't figured out yet. Best thing is that it folds up into a small carrying case, so it doesn't take up much space in my cabinet - yay! (Sadly, this particular one is no longer available on Amazon, but I'm sure you could find something similar!)</div><div><br /></div><div>Like the other games on the list, I have thoughts about how to use this, but haven't actually put it into practice yet. I can really see some of my classes really getting into this, but as someone with very poor hand-eye coordination, I can also see other kids having major anxiety.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Okay, so there you have it - a list of games that I want to try this semester. If you have any suggestions or ideas on the logistics, please let me know!<br /><br />What are your go-to review games? What games are on your "still-to-try" list?</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><p></p><p><br /><br /><br /></p><p><br /></p></div>druinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12363634340959613461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51958265250790371.post-66526830414970964822022-12-24T11:26:00.002-06:002022-12-24T11:26:20.632-06:00Another New to Me Tool in 2022<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1P3kw8NE4pzDYbD6JLuxSQNiG1Sy0Ba0CaCRT4uyTH0MLtIRBVtg8TR_xQldaIDlgdFcrS050ICHdRDp69m6DBBfkd7pjGeMdLxgkHvNmkBXVZKg_NbiMgV3_T0JvwXr-1SvKxnVVgDhkI7saUf9r8b1be844NOldpcJg2BwJG9xxXWr3TecSYQY/s512/unnamed.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="512" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1P3kw8NE4pzDYbD6JLuxSQNiG1Sy0Ba0CaCRT4uyTH0MLtIRBVtg8TR_xQldaIDlgdFcrS050ICHdRDp69m6DBBfkd7pjGeMdLxgkHvNmkBXVZKg_NbiMgV3_T0JvwXr-1SvKxnVVgDhkI7saUf9r8b1be844NOldpcJg2BwJG9xxXWr3TecSYQY/w400-h141/unnamed.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Happy Christmas Eve! I've been out of school for a week and thanks to the bitterly cold weather, it's been a pretty quiet week around our house. We got out a bit on Wednesday to wrap up our shopping and to have dinner with my siblings, but we've been inside since the bitter cold hit on Thursday. As a result, I've been spending time catching up on blogs and looking for resources to use in the new year.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhzbroSmtjp9QcNd9agAwTifHNwZDoSAdYqx-UvqdhKzVJK9JlO2Mu-UzioknCAAJdtPojL6kYE56T47h8RE0oTLVlACioqZ5QY2utgh-gH-butEJC6g4jva9g1X3aHUnB9IjJUj9xi6oYeZS1kLDImgN0epigHfvWJRpqd0JtWtiivPCg4jBsS0Kw" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="309" data-original-width="520" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhzbroSmtjp9QcNd9agAwTifHNwZDoSAdYqx-UvqdhKzVJK9JlO2Mu-UzioknCAAJdtPojL6kYE56T47h8RE0oTLVlACioqZ5QY2utgh-gH-butEJC6g4jva9g1X3aHUnB9IjJUj9xi6oYeZS1kLDImgN0epigHfvWJRpqd0JtWtiivPCg4jBsS0Kw=w320-h190" width="320" /></a></div>One of the resources I've revisited during this break was a PD session I went to this summer on Engagement Strategies for the Secondary Classroom by Rebecka Peterson. As I shared a few posts ago, my Professional Learning Focus (PLF) this year was on having an active and engaging classroom, so what a perfect fit!<p></p><p>During the session, Rebecka shared about how she uses games in the classroom (see a <a href="https://onegoodthingteach.wordpress.com/2022/04/05/connect-4/">post here about Connect 4</a>, another with <a href="https://onegoodthingteach.wordpress.com/2022/03/23/flourish/">Chutes and Ladders</a>, and yet <a href="https://onegoodthingteach.wordpress.com/2022/05/02/proud-6/">another about spinners</a>). She gave us links to online ready-to-use templates that could be used with any worksheet and links to some blog posts with other game ideas. While I haven't used most of things Rebecka shared in the session, there is one I tried this semester.... Bingo Baker!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEitMd7RgQXp2Bebp-UPCYzBJDdQJ95OSpQGCG0dQG9sQPlsc7rn1ERZtNmXV5-HV_tvhzXWqa08Ba3uVy2OsxghdUYhb82HLjkHlO7hzZwRTj2N1Rxu7Kb_bQClzrvQeflIcNsD9j4v_d9Zx6W6gOumcJTBz8Xr42tKEuAIz7DIorUwifl7DW1Hdok" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="891" data-original-width="1138" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEitMd7RgQXp2Bebp-UPCYzBJDdQJ95OSpQGCG0dQG9sQPlsc7rn1ERZtNmXV5-HV_tvhzXWqa08Ba3uVy2OsxghdUYhb82HLjkHlO7hzZwRTj2N1Rxu7Kb_bQClzrvQeflIcNsD9j4v_d9Zx6W6gOumcJTBz8Xr42tKEuAIz7DIorUwifl7DW1Hdok" width="307" /></a></div><p></p><p>To be honest, I've taught math for 25 years and never really used Bingo as a review game - until now! </p><p>Bingo Baker (<a href="http://bingobaker.com">bingobaker.com</a>) is a free, easy to use bingo card maker. One of the coolest features is that you can add images to your card / questions! You can create a 3x3, 4x4, or 5x5 Bingo Card by selecting the drop down at the top right corner of the blank card. <br /></p><p>To create your card, click in one of the boxes and the little sidebar comes up. Here is where you can add an image and change the alignment or color of your answer. If you want to add a custom question, click on the rotate button at the bottom of the sidebar so that the question and answer are associated. You can add as many questions / answers as you want - there's an area below the card for additional problems to be added.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjZKOWMC591-VQLreZzJD5NQ4Ja52LlXXEDKC8OZvcIOFGZS3Ew1ZYlQ2JiOjotT2vki9FW81CgSiHe1z0eTiJ5G2RyZJ8Jw25ji2HAjQGVowgd0zA3mjG8HP1dz-1JnWT1txJpOtmGoqY3pIcG3vHmvzdnMxPWpuM1U-qcs2V4siQnE9mBtfUEUyo" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="824" data-original-width="870" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjZKOWMC591-VQLreZzJD5NQ4Ja52LlXXEDKC8OZvcIOFGZS3Ew1ZYlQ2JiOjotT2vki9FW81CgSiHe1z0eTiJ5G2RyZJ8Jw25ji2HAjQGVowgd0zA3mjG8HP1dz-1JnWT1txJpOtmGoqY3pIcG3vHmvzdnMxPWpuM1U-qcs2V4siQnE9mBtfUEUyo" width="253" /></a></div>Once you've made your cards, you'll save your set. You can set it to be public, hidden, or private. <p></p><p>The Bingo Baker at the right is for practicing the Pythagorean Theorem. At the top, you can set how many cards you want to generate or you can play online if you are in a 1:1 school. When printing, you can choose to print 1, 2, or 4 cards to a page. At the bottom right is the call screen. I just did "Full Screen" and showed the problems on the projector, then clicked each problem to turn it over for the "answer" for students to check their work. When I played with my classes, I hit "Scramble" each hour so they wouldn't have the problems in the same order.</p><p>If you don't have time to make your own game, you can also search through the <a href="https://bingobaker.com/cards">cards that have already been made</a> - I saw games for trig, calculus, vocabulary, etc.</p><p>All in all, I was really pleased with how well the website worked and at the end of each hour, students would BEG for one more question because they were trying to get a bingo and a chance to grab a toy out of the goodie box!</p><p>What are some of your go-to games in the classroom?</p><p><br /></p>druinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12363634340959613461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51958265250790371.post-90754503353802289382022-12-23T10:23:00.003-06:002022-12-23T10:23:35.928-06:00Something New I Tried in 2022<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFPKc03wLqTzSo4iTz86MGo7lRfrGTBphS21JwbeCPiTERVwqdQHO0MCcnK8Xlv6pIM8j8Vv0fr-l1cldUG5WnbOH0R5sXrLk9N71yvx70a1L1Osjf1f0xal-gh60rRR5VCl331U3JgjR61ukSkw9pyjUC2v5QlFQBsYJZe-8HV_a1OfBo5zr6MlQ/s512/unnamed.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="512" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFPKc03wLqTzSo4iTz86MGo7lRfrGTBphS21JwbeCPiTERVwqdQHO0MCcnK8Xlv6pIM8j8Vv0fr-l1cldUG5WnbOH0R5sXrLk9N71yvx70a1L1Osjf1f0xal-gh60rRR5VCl331U3JgjR61ukSkw9pyjUC2v5QlFQBsYJZe-8HV_a1OfBo5zr6MlQ/w400-h141/unnamed.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Y'all, I'm halfway through the Yule Blog Challenge! My goal was to blog 12 times over Winter Break (a play off of the 12 days of Christmas) and this is Post #6!! I know I say this a lot, but I really do miss blogging more regularly. I can't tell you the number of times I think "gosh, I need to blog about this", but then life happens and when I sit down at my computer I can't remember what it was I wanted to blog about! I know I'm a better teacher when I reflect on my practice, so it's definitely an ongoing goal for me to blog on a regular basis, but it just doesn't always happen...</p><p>Anyway, today I want to share about something new I tried this semester - Blooket!</p>I had heard about Blooket before (<a href="http://Blooket.com">Blooket.com</a>) but had never used it until October-ish of this year. I already was familiar with Kahoot and Quizziz and I really didn't want something else to mess with, but after receiving multiple recommendations, I decided to try it.<div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjlre6aXC-Yh6NVfWdXL6STRRLVsl7Rl_4wN5u4TxmHZUOX4Hy30TNR-PRbq2m9aT9ZEmBYt1sE43R7LZJAmYYhiABzabupkRvAwEAKYrTmAV7B-ViA-sAM9gJSmZWh5rxs1mEhggBxvsmsCqpwE0Kh4B4aYklHE25bny_VxfEIOGznjFVxgC1Lu_w" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="659" data-original-width="943" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjlre6aXC-Yh6NVfWdXL6STRRLVsl7Rl_4wN5u4TxmHZUOX4Hy30TNR-PRbq2m9aT9ZEmBYt1sE43R7LZJAmYYhiABzabupkRvAwEAKYrTmAV7B-ViA-sAM9gJSmZWh5rxs1mEhggBxvsmsCqpwE0Kh4B4aYklHE25bny_VxfEIOGznjFVxgC1Lu_w=w200-h140" width="200" /></a></div>Before I get much further, let me say that the first time I played it, I was AMAZED at the engagement from my students! They were asking to play again and again! Like I said, I've used Kahoot and Quizziz before, but the student reaction is what sold me on using Blooket.<br /><br />A Blooket teacher account is free which allows you to have unlimited games, assign HW, create your own question sets, use the question bank, etc. I did end up purchasing the yearly subscription (~$35) in order to allow me to organize with folder, copy / duplicate / edit existing sets, have enhanced reports, and to give me a few more game options, but the subscription is completely not necessary to have a great Blooket experience!</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgtzMw4bO0aV3BKiL-G2MESMhdAWC5mec83B1arW3X3sKOj5vEeqAfKsBicL47ZKNGE651HkNsyYPleSWNdETztzX33-y-0H6exEtgLQRdN3bgt-VwkZSiNaZ8OWlJ0xWsZojLMvjDKf1wKKkIOctILXVNDalOHzZ0qxH-EoKuN9l1iEhlNpqozxAY" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="887" data-original-width="1198" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgtzMw4bO0aV3BKiL-G2MESMhdAWC5mec83B1arW3X3sKOj5vEeqAfKsBicL47ZKNGE651HkNsyYPleSWNdETztzX33-y-0H6exEtgLQRdN3bgt-VwkZSiNaZ8OWlJ0xWsZojLMvjDKf1wKKkIOctILXVNDalOHzZ0qxH-EoKuN9l1iEhlNpqozxAY" width="320" /></a></div>When you log-in, you can create or discover sets, favorite them, etc. Once you are ready to go, you click the Host button to choose your game mode.</div><div><br /></div><div>Some of the games can be assigned as HW where you can put a link on Google Classroom (or other LMS) for students to play individually. There are also special game modes for holidays, like Santa's Workshop, which is a seasonal themed version of Gold Quest. I have not played all of the types, but my students really like Gold Quest because they can steal other people's money, so the fastest team isn't necessarily the team that wins. They also like Fishing Frenzy and Battle Royale. Many of the games also have various ways to slow down (or sabotage) your opponent. For example, on Santa's Workshop, there's a sabotage that trees your screen so you have to click every tree to clear the screen before moving on to your question.</div><div><br /></div><div>My classroom is set up in tables of 4, so I tend to play with teams and one Chromebook per group. Once you choose a game mode, you can set the game to end at a specific time or when a specific goal is reached. I have found a 10-12 minute game to be very engaging and a great way to practice quite a few problems in random order but not take up my entire class period!</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjZ6H-kWZPYT-xNIFK2o6NP9aKDdKA4-m8BRCfgEgV9JtUyYncdSLnyX4yr-n7dVVbMcMg2cwjTT5JMp-94BPyLjvcEenngS1ns9Cq56J_f77mLovYreqYFH3mT3jvhSnPoI_mOcrSI2iiBfO-b2rbHhau-eOudip--TDiuUW9bsVRtNqHTa3Vd8LU" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="707" data-original-width="1134" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjZ6H-kWZPYT-xNIFK2o6NP9aKDdKA4-m8BRCfgEgV9JtUyYncdSLnyX4yr-n7dVVbMcMg2cwjTT5JMp-94BPyLjvcEenngS1ns9Cq56J_f77mLovYreqYFH3mT3jvhSnPoI_mOcrSI2iiBfO-b2rbHhau-eOudip--TDiuUW9bsVRtNqHTa3Vd8LU" width="320" /></a></div></div>While I don't use the results as much as I could (or should), the reports feature is pretty nice too. You can see an overall report for the whole class with the number of questions correct vs incorrect. I set the timer for this game at 12 minutes and every group worked 30 - 50 problems in that time frame! I can see the group by group breakdown with how many they solved correctly / incorrectly. Notice that there was a group that didn't miss any problems, but they still weren't the overall winners. <br /><br />You can also click on a specific group to see which questions they missed. Since they only had 12 minutes and there were 65 questions, not every group saw every problem and that's okay. I had also set this as a HW link so they could go through it on their own if they wanted. Further down the reports page is the question by question breakdown where I can see how which problems were the most commonly missed.</div><div><br /></div><div>Overall, I've really enjoyed having Blooket in my bag of tricks and it's been a great addition to my classroom! If you've played, what are your favorite games? If you haven't played, I encourage you to try it out!<br /><br /><br /><p><br /></p></div>druinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12363634340959613461noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51958265250790371.post-43519026943236598782022-12-22T09:24:00.001-06:002022-12-22T09:24:01.415-06:00An Ongoing Challenge<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxZ9l2z9qNqBTAwrz071CO4DhNs_Rs5-2yihRoYbaz5Gq2RhC-LbkFjUAAB4zKOvAU-cYXUUR2qTt5wFBgjVP7B4mdLptzPMqVk63ljfCGG0NHb7oGXz_xfNAVHVW5z_yONSNpxZ1jxyYjF7_XrTDsQhrIv1SHrQBhuLrVr2_mHrTCwKzCWU_KJUI/s512/unnamed.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="512" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxZ9l2z9qNqBTAwrz071CO4DhNs_Rs5-2yihRoYbaz5Gq2RhC-LbkFjUAAB4zKOvAU-cYXUUR2qTt5wFBgjVP7B4mdLptzPMqVk63ljfCGG0NHb7oGXz_xfNAVHVW5z_yONSNpxZ1jxyYjF7_XrTDsQhrIv1SHrQBhuLrVr2_mHrTCwKzCWU_KJUI/w400-h141/unnamed.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>I changed schools in the summer of 2021. At my previous school, I had taught AP Statistics for many years and had built that program into something I was very proud of. When I interviewed at my new school, I had asked if they had a Stat program (no) and if they would be interested in starting one (yes), which was good news for me! They had already done their enrollment process at the time I interviewed, so there was no Stat program for the 2021-2022 school year, but when enrollment came around in the Spring of 2022, Stat was on the list!</p><p>I didn't know what to expect, but the class made! I ended up with 18 students enrolled in the inaugural class. I had never taught an on-level Stat class before so I dug through my resources and tried to pull together what I saw as the most vital concepts of each unit.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhnh0WVW827pMXNBBu4g8czt1IUniJ-GHEV-K9-Su7VXc7LI413Eyjtab1zpG6aJoTCO5UTQSMhJtKcNuDd5cV8FDNTposlWJN72VWXMJOzR6PZzfEq-S0-7XlebwRylG615YeRW_zmDnufh0AmaQ6KSqdTB9_v8G6ywa-Kzh3Kf9MGZ9h9zK_RzJE" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="622" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhnh0WVW827pMXNBBu4g8czt1IUniJ-GHEV-K9-Su7VXc7LI413Eyjtab1zpG6aJoTCO5UTQSMhJtKcNuDd5cV8FDNTposlWJN72VWXMJOzR6PZzfEq-S0-7XlebwRylG615YeRW_zmDnufh0AmaQ6KSqdTB9_v8G6ywa-Kzh3Kf9MGZ9h9zK_RzJE" width="299" /></a></div>Looking back, there are definitely some lessons I enjoyed and some that I felt went well. But there are a lot more that I think could be modified and improved. In general, the kids are college bound students who wanted another math class or knew that stat would be required for their career path (nursing, etc)<p></p><p>A few weeks ago, one of my Stat students came in during her aiding hour to help me with some Geometry activities and she asked why they didn't get to do as many activities as my Geometry classes.... I honestly did not have a good answer other than the difference in freshman / sophomores vs seniors, but her question got me to thinking....</p><p>So now I'm on the search for more activities for my Stat classes that aren't geared toward AP. Thankfully we are about to start probability, so I know I can create a lot of activities there. I think my goal with this class moving forward is to infuse more fun and joy into the curriculum. Obviously I still have standards and content to teach, but this semester was a struggle when it came to figuring out homework and tests, so that's something I want to revisit as well.</p><p>My Stat Goals for 2023:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>More Active Learning using the list I use for Geometry</li><li>Using more projects for assessment as possible</li><li>Gathering real data to use / explore the concepts</li><li>Figuring out a better HW / Testing system</li><li>Just have FUN! Stat is an amazing class - let's have some fun!</li></ul><p></p><p><br /></p>druinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12363634340959613461noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51958265250790371.post-12595355792314893492022-12-21T09:02:00.006-06:002022-12-21T09:02:51.598-06:00#Read3 (or 6!)<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_7Ybt_CaUe1PoJb6RMtV64n_2tkZPjuxFh68vR9gpH5zFqXbYcVQLEFvRaA0EbotXEp0iAFBq7WFOFYrxoF8QxlMePB9NjWrNGv7dkxeLlCUJjqjrFuqZToYbWrJM1pyqRlEBgnWvm8NKm2_cALtQ8EwBnDSDArJic2sqrbnS2mUdBx7M9X7JRz8/s512/unnamed.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="512" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_7Ybt_CaUe1PoJb6RMtV64n_2tkZPjuxFh68vR9gpH5zFqXbYcVQLEFvRaA0EbotXEp0iAFBq7WFOFYrxoF8QxlMePB9NjWrNGv7dkxeLlCUJjqjrFuqZToYbWrJM1pyqRlEBgnWvm8NKm2_cALtQ8EwBnDSDArJic2sqrbnS2mUdBx7M9X7JRz8/w400-h141/unnamed.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Several years ago, there was a hashtag floating around called #Read3, where you would share 3 blog posts, tweets, etc that impacted you. Today, I'm sharing more than 3, but I couldn't narrow it down! So here are some of the things I've read in 2022 that I want to remember....</p><p><u><i><b>Book - Teaching Math with Examples by Michael Pershan:</b></i></u></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhdTEfzeRVvl8zqaJroXRUd4Z-kAHJaqovngNRNyoeCKfkwt_oH7z1h8NKTtGhh4XO85elPhvZtWZHrKdSvH5aFqQOx1oVtzowQP_0Egf0shs_8Z4gsyEZtd26iERbRiBQp44r8zQPeAGYd7KtGtDBIx2Ei3RCym37q4BoGiyVyPvrBI7QHHDLAsYA" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="372" data-original-width="255" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhdTEfzeRVvl8zqaJroXRUd4Z-kAHJaqovngNRNyoeCKfkwt_oH7z1h8NKTtGhh4XO85elPhvZtWZHrKdSvH5aFqQOx1oVtzowQP_0Egf0shs_8Z4gsyEZtd26iERbRiBQp44r8zQPeAGYd7KtGtDBIx2Ei3RCym37q4BoGiyVyPvrBI7QHHDLAsYA=w138-h200" width="138" /></a></div>I read <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Teaching-Math-Examples-Michael-Pershan/dp/1913622487">this book</a> twice over the summer (and honestly need to read it again). I've known Michael for many years and met him at TMC14 but this was the most informative book with regard to his teaching methods. Teaching Math with Examples is also a pretty short book and a quick read, but filled with practical tips and hints on effective math teaching and learning.<br /><br />While I have yet to implement these strategies, they are still on my to-do list for 2023! When we return from Winter Break, we will be tackling triangle congruence proofs, so I need to re-read the chapter on how Michael introduces proofs to his students. <p></p><p><br /></p><p><b><i><u>Hashtag - #MathsTLP</u></i></b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgaNiAo3SzPqsi5UdoEmZYrkEbcrNtPho9tNYyyp1BaOGStnnjnGQF1XmtXHnTS9GfKtrPMZq2I32sVwlV_9E-r6BgBoKCb3TGZ4AIC0x0s9L1D4rTcY90l-ARB2zR_7TzaTR2vFTrtNuZeQMSPOq4pTMW2FK4kLwZbTLEcATkvYZWxK16Ahesahc4" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="570" data-original-width="1014" height="113" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgaNiAo3SzPqsi5UdoEmZYrkEbcrNtPho9tNYyyp1BaOGStnnjnGQF1XmtXHnTS9GfKtrPMZq2I32sVwlV_9E-r6BgBoKCb3TGZ4AIC0x0s9L1D4rTcY90l-ARB2zR_7TzaTR2vFTrtNuZeQMSPOq4pTMW2FK4kLwZbTLEcATkvYZWxK16Ahesahc4=w200-h113" width="200" /></a></div>A few weeks ago, I just happened to be scrolling on Twitter when the #MathsTLP thread started. This is a UK based Sunday Twitter Chat where teachers post what they are teaching that week and others share resources and links to help them out! It's collaborative Lesson Planning at its best!<br /><br />After the Twitter chat, one of the hosts curates the links and shares them in a blog post (archive here: <a href="https://norledgemaths.co.uk/tag/mathstlp">https://norledgemaths.co.uk/tag/mathstlp</a>/). I loved this idea so much I started posting a similar idea each Sunday on my state NCTM affiliate FB page. <p></p><p><br /></p><p><b><i><u>Blog Post - Number Talks</u></i></b></p><p>First off, can I just say how much I adore Beth (<a href="https://twitter.com/algebrasfriend">@algebrasfriend</a>)? I've had the pleasure of knowing her for many years and have shared a few meals with her and her husband. Beth is a retired teacher and principal, but still actively supports math education by curating links and resources to help others out.</p><p>I had been thinking about bringing back Number Talks to my classes this semester when I ran across Beth's most perfect <a href="http://algebrasfriend.blogspot.com/2012/11/number-sense-in-secondary-education.html">post on Number Sense in the Secondary Classroom</a>. I'm really excited about starting Number Talks back up in January and I super appreciate Beth taking the time to gather those resources and share them!</p><p><br /></p><p><b><i><u>Tweet - Potty Puzzlers</u></i></b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjxw8DKr3lF8ZiptdosWGHkB9sGmywbFpWRUASV-frFnlJYzVeetPQ0bFa3OH_vTYIkgUN49RHHI4iRRZCcPetZ2LvcLCqaJnEx-_iMzK08N8-NJiXnmFcejXqK3pXq40CtQktdBBulzMSKZ6hZCLCtVqcitln1KC1S9gXZFhKfNuObjBN9YqPD9RA" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="525" data-original-width="679" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjxw8DKr3lF8ZiptdosWGHkB9sGmywbFpWRUASV-frFnlJYzVeetPQ0bFa3OH_vTYIkgUN49RHHI4iRRZCcPetZ2LvcLCqaJnEx-_iMzK08N8-NJiXnmFcejXqK3pXq40CtQktdBBulzMSKZ6hZCLCtVqcitln1KC1S9gXZFhKfNuObjBN9YqPD9RA=w200-h155" width="200" /></a></div>Jessica (<a href="https://twitter.com/MsJBogie">@MsJBogie</a>) is another dear friend and last year she became an Instructional Coach in her district after teaching middle school for many years. As part of her new role, Jessica really wanted to build an awareness of math and started curating and printing monthly Potty Puzzlers to post in the bathrooms around the district. She often shares these on <a href="https://twitter.com/MsJBogie/status/1598406543493726209">her Twitter feed</a> for others to use as well. Every month that I see these, I think about printing it and posting it in our faculty restrooms, but I haven't done it yet. Maybe in 2023.... :)<br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p><b><i><u>Podcast - Sermon Series on Anxiety</u></i></b></p><p>This past summer, a dear friend and former administrator shared a snippet of a <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/anxiety-lessons-from-the-end-of-a-rope-part-1/id1229861893?i=1000562285382">sermon series on Anxiety</a>. The pastor was a great speaker and the series really spoke to my heart as the anxiety of a new year was approaching. </p><p><br /></p><p><b><i><u>Instagram Feed - Teachers of Oklahoma</u></i></b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgYuiy1ankH9w3G_X3yQOmNpcVWzMnu0_NQzCab2Y5PyzOx1zamdnN541ML0IjQ5uVwfHcJT-nN4z4kix-Turi2F-Dwv_XHNfSeXo0sNBPdEV8pS28j1N6uQ418ffhiTphxyRPa_PO8aE8kUc-aK42bjHvtrOUctays2TzmYemz0KwaA-YVT6YLcGY" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="160" data-original-width="158" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgYuiy1ankH9w3G_X3yQOmNpcVWzMnu0_NQzCab2Y5PyzOx1zamdnN541ML0IjQ5uVwfHcJT-nN4z4kix-Turi2F-Dwv_XHNfSeXo0sNBPdEV8pS28j1N6uQ418ffhiTphxyRPa_PO8aE8kUc-aK42bjHvtrOUctays2TzmYemz0KwaA-YVT6YLcGY=w198-h200" width="198" /></a></div><a href="https://www.instagram.com/teachers_of_ok/?hl=en">Teachers of Oklahoma</a> is the passion project of the 2022 Oklahoma Teacher of the Year, Rebecka Peterson. If you don't <a href="https://twitter.com/RebeckaMozdeh">follow Rebecka</a>, you should! Rebecka is one of the most positive and inspiring people I know and is totally my teacher crush! Several years ago, Rebecka started posting daily on the <a href="https://onegoodthingteach.wordpress.com/author/rebeckamozdeh/">One Good Thing blog</a>, inviting each of us into her classroom and now she is travelling the state inviting us into the classrooms of teachers around Oklahoma in order to highlight the good that happens every day. This profession can be frustrating and lonely, but this is just a reminder that you aren't alone and to "be the change"<br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>What are some of the things you've read or listened to in 2022 that impacted you?</p><p><br /><br /><br /></p>druinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12363634340959613461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51958265250790371.post-72462209451561441042022-12-20T09:44:00.001-06:002022-12-20T09:44:17.231-06:00A favorite task of 2022<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO2si8C52BUGDlx9f4PH-g8L-TvdoaT3_owUxn0pFN92q7yKaiWwlbszIqgGpqjiNl7NXfpLH9_uP9VbrYqBVtna2O9gaLB64Vtun60VzN9y586wbIFnrentIl8mLbaodZxzUL1STNHb-iF_bya4BzPOFBFB7R__q35A0Ijm6oOALKr_gygMXKkBE/s512/unnamed.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="512" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO2si8C52BUGDlx9f4PH-g8L-TvdoaT3_owUxn0pFN92q7yKaiWwlbszIqgGpqjiNl7NXfpLH9_uP9VbrYqBVtna2O9gaLB64Vtun60VzN9y586wbIFnrentIl8mLbaodZxzUL1STNHb-iF_bya4BzPOFBFB7R__q35A0Ijm6oOALKr_gygMXKkBE/w400-h141/unnamed.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>One of my goals this year with my Honors Geometry class was to bring in some challenging tasks. I can't say that I've been extremely successful, but there are definitely some days that I feel like I did an okay job.</p><p>One of those days was during our Coordinate Geometry unit and the students had this task to solve:</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgIPawuShLyN6Fr7lR-hVDbH_Usfqk4mrkpDVjcmdX-mkFUgM2pzjq1yu0TK_O7ik03o5_m0xIptFMZtkDlncz3nvT051EFxG7wxa-Ahu9FIFD8a215OyQlG-P6C3BZvuwfxoeE3IxoZ4ay7kDQkYiDavRgr1nnYTtnQ4UyQgDROt4pog43rCO_0zA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="134" data-original-width="1107" height="49" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgIPawuShLyN6Fr7lR-hVDbH_Usfqk4mrkpDVjcmdX-mkFUgM2pzjq1yu0TK_O7ik03o5_m0xIptFMZtkDlncz3nvT051EFxG7wxa-Ahu9FIFD8a215OyQlG-P6C3BZvuwfxoeE3IxoZ4ay7kDQkYiDavRgr1nnYTtnQ4UyQgDROt4pog43rCO_0zA=w400-h49" width="400" /></a></div><p>I honestly didn't know how they would tackle it. Some groups tried to algebraically solve it with the distance formula but quickly got bogged down in the algebra. A few groups figured out a Pythagorean method by drawing a line at x = 7 and thinking about a right triangle:</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiRD9sx3k24cmEN4w8J6KZhAUQk2IDGl6qrJc-muile0h8rA5hDqvFzTa_N0dJLz2A0OmicENaiZ7nXzoUc5uLOjqY0UYDHGZgrqIgpCj8sqqOnqKf3sZNbjHeNu0kUtkZFQ_791-JfZSAx7GBn271hwGsI4dMBHp379T4rLpDivjEV9aRc-_GaPbg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="650" data-original-width="646" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiRD9sx3k24cmEN4w8J6KZhAUQk2IDGl6qrJc-muile0h8rA5hDqvFzTa_N0dJLz2A0OmicENaiZ7nXzoUc5uLOjqY0UYDHGZgrqIgpCj8sqqOnqKf3sZNbjHeNu0kUtkZFQ_791-JfZSAx7GBn271hwGsI4dMBHp379T4rLpDivjEV9aRc-_GaPbg" width="239" /></a></div><p> but then I looked over at another group and saw this...</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEinUZdJgTx3DsrfK7buLucoLXA0P06i-YeaxVu2-kWmw4BqFT10MiTrv30issebua53eI9JkOifB1X334x7dRwY9SL_v9dGIBtfRK1PhTXAvXgwyoNlQe0P0iVEES-OH5dtC9VL5bZrL581lqZDnEhJvB65_PkhHoQMtLlCNCUv8Wc8FODIbfedMt0" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="947" data-original-width="710" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEinUZdJgTx3DsrfK7buLucoLXA0P06i-YeaxVu2-kWmw4BqFT10MiTrv30issebua53eI9JkOifB1X334x7dRwY9SL_v9dGIBtfRK1PhTXAvXgwyoNlQe0P0iVEES-OH5dtC9VL5bZrL581lqZDnEhJvB65_PkhHoQMtLlCNCUv8Wc8FODIbfedMt0=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><br />This group drew a line 20 units long on patty paper, placed one endpoint at (-5, 14) and used the line segment like the radius of a circle to find out where the other endpoint would have an x value of 7. I had only introduced patty paper a few days before and definitely not in this manner, so to see them make that connection and know how to use their resources to think through a problem really made me happy!<div><br /></div><div>If you have any favorite geometry tasks to share, please let me know!<br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><br /><p></p><blockquote><p></p></blockquote></div>druinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12363634340959613461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51958265250790371.post-54298375030552184992022-12-19T08:59:00.003-06:002022-12-19T08:59:48.937-06:00Student Engagement Strategies<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_zSgEZ9zvgRvQp82XyB51n51_I7vsOLY8sOMB8psklNmiyOw-QgBJdoEzIzKjr1DbfgBrUhk03AIHg5o5RvWnOFYDDHb_Iqs00ywA6ufDJ4utEh2vzPO2GtLo-0cSoRuGTq8wtV9v_Z2QS-t8hjVGD1CyI9iQl3EkPrCtCUaPLgcW5-RdPlr4d78/s512/unnamed.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="512" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_zSgEZ9zvgRvQp82XyB51n51_I7vsOLY8sOMB8psklNmiyOw-QgBJdoEzIzKjr1DbfgBrUhk03AIHg5o5RvWnOFYDDHb_Iqs00ywA6ufDJ4utEh2vzPO2GtLo-0cSoRuGTq8wtV9v_Z2QS-t8hjVGD1CyI9iQl3EkPrCtCUaPLgcW5-RdPlr4d78/w400-h141/unnamed.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Each year, as part of our evaluation, teachers in my state are required to have a yearly goal, called a Professional Learning Focus (PLF). Here's my goal this year:</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjMuKTYYw1CYtQTYPDAG79FNhjkgPJuU9jqQS7zBCoGZWbnnJF8HeIvJTr1MI5Ufs43oAc8JHizWmBF7CFGewUoj-NY7reAZV0YrwayAb-o5RJ5U9Ha315d6Sj8QPhjrkgn3CGCQrmilPv1j0Y1C6FzWo-n6EH-mrE3rq4F7-evPoE8O7OChoBnEn8" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="213" data-original-width="994" height="105" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjMuKTYYw1CYtQTYPDAG79FNhjkgPJuU9jqQS7zBCoGZWbnnJF8HeIvJTr1MI5Ufs43oAc8JHizWmBF7CFGewUoj-NY7reAZV0YrwayAb-o5RJ5U9Ha315d6Sj8QPhjrkgn3CGCQrmilPv1j0Y1C6FzWo-n6EH-mrE3rq4F7-evPoE8O7OChoBnEn8=w488-h105" width="488" /></a></div><p>Our evaluation rubric has 20 elements, things like classroom management, leadership, instructional effectiveness, and professional growth. Each of the 20 elements has multiple indicators for the evaluator to assess and the PLF has to align with one of those. </p><p>After the "pandemic teaching" of the past few years, my school is mostly back to pre-pandemic times and I was determined this year to bring back more active learning to my classroom. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj_IohJsSm-nh6hoUNs9iPn7I9CnkVUmmWIRZVjxRLNeynCUvqF0M11ytxuMi6vSYBUDG0DnrIDQ5IvKCSxj26hdIctb_qTenAXSUbXIkzK3LU1VygCgDjL66EjDKY_fmPe6NvZLN6NRr1q57zO36BhwOD3HvccqdQRnAdPyMt9oP3agzea6jrCMPE" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="414" data-original-width="735" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj_IohJsSm-nh6hoUNs9iPn7I9CnkVUmmWIRZVjxRLNeynCUvqF0M11ytxuMi6vSYBUDG0DnrIDQ5IvKCSxj26hdIctb_qTenAXSUbXIkzK3LU1VygCgDjL66EjDKY_fmPe6NvZLN6NRr1q57zO36BhwOD3HvccqdQRnAdPyMt9oP3agzea6jrCMPE" width="320" /></a></div>Last summer, at the OKCTM Conference, Sarah Carter (@mathequalslove) was the keynote speaker and her topic was about <a href="https://mathequalslove.net/embracing-joy/">Embracing Joy</a>. During her presentation, Sarah shared this photo of her lesson plan book where she highlights activities and games in order to be more mindful of their use in her classroom. While I haven't quite gotten to the highlighting part, I loved this idea! What if I was able to infuse joy and fun in the majority of the days? Could I get by with minimizing the lectures / notes / homework cycle of the past few years and get back to a more active classroom?<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiKICe2sBPGXkfQmTPfZX4yPX2eBCX1gi9RUxZCg6d7mHYlsHPoAcH0mhM-89kwxvYUGUqIa8vsUcOHqbTYFhbFFRmH_V3VP7-c4vYcYRD-K_UApkgeNBbKK5hsTlG7C88JAG6oIOeQGrRKC5rGQtzoCAX-6oxt7yod2hZLXH5fwea7P-RFnJMMmO8" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="947" data-original-width="947" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiKICe2sBPGXkfQmTPfZX4yPX2eBCX1gi9RUxZCg6d7mHYlsHPoAcH0mhM-89kwxvYUGUqIa8vsUcOHqbTYFhbFFRmH_V3VP7-c4vYcYRD-K_UApkgeNBbKK5hsTlG7C88JAG6oIOeQGrRKC5rGQtzoCAX-6oxt7yod2hZLXH5fwea7P-RFnJMMmO8" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">I've taught Geometry for years, so I had a cabinet of slightly disorganized activities, so I set out to clean it up and get things labeled. I pulled out every set of cards and made a list by chapter so I knew what I had already made, plus took a pile of binders and file folders home to organize my larger activities into a file crate. Crazy enough, this file crate only holds activities from the 1st semester - things like Around the Room activities, Card Sorting Mats, Stations activities, etc. In the smaller crates, there are index card boxes with Question Stacks and Task Cards. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">In general, when I'm lesson planning, I have my list of already-made activities handy, plus a list of my go-to strategies in case I need to make something. I aim for 2-3 days a week of having some sort of activity and hopefully at least one of those days, we are moving around the room, either at the whiteboards or doing some sort of Around the Room activity.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Here's my list of strategies:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Around the Room (Scavenger Hunt)</li><li>Question Stack (Similar to Scav Hunt but at their tables)</li><li>Card Sort</li><li>Matching</li><li>Whiteboards (either at their tables or on the big boards)</li><li>Stations</li><li>Bingo</li><li>Kahoot</li><li>Blooket</li></ul><div>I'm always looking for new strategies, so if you have an idea to share, please let me know!</div></div><br /></div><br /><br /><p></p>druinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12363634340959613461noreply@blogger.com0