Our Journey in 2014-15

Using Geometer's Sketch Pad in Geometry class

The students are working in small groups to discover geometric properties.
Working on the kiosks enables some rich group discussions. sketch pad in action

sketch pad in action

sketch pad in action


Our Journey with Digital Resources

For years we have been gathering and sharing web links with our students to provide extra study resources. We have found interactive applets, videos, and web sites that do a good job explaining the math concepts being taught in class. Occasionally, when we were able to get time in the computer lab, we would have the students use the page of links as a review for an upcoming assessment. Check out our Math Resource page on this web site:  LINK

Next we started to develop digital resources of our own. We started with Word documents that we converted to pdf files and shared with our students through email and BCPS One. Some of these files have now been posted on this website. LINK

list of units  Look for the links on the left side of that page to see the pdf files.

In December of 2014 we discovered the power of OneNote. We started developing notebooks. The first one was developed as a unit review. LINK
Reviewing with OneNote
Later notebooks were designed to be a daily resource to support classroom lessons.
This link is shared on the class web page on BCPS One.  LINK

Right now the OneNote notebooks are set up as Read Only documents from the student perspective. We look forward to the day when all of our students have a device so we can use the OneNote notebook as an interactive lesson tool in class daily.


Using the Computer Kiosks in Algebra class

The computer kiosks have been a great tool for students to work together on Algebra problems. Here the students were assigned to visit interactive web sites to work on the domain and range of a function. 
Algebra at the Kiosks
The large screens allow all the students in the group to see the same work but yet allow a discussion in a small group setting. The large screens also enable the teacher to see at a glance what every group in the room is working on and to conduct small group instruction as needed.
Algebra at the Kiosks


Using the Computer Kiosks with OneNote
Combining two great strategies, our math students used the computer kiosks to work with the OneNote notebook to review for an upcoming assessment.
OneNote with Kiosks

OneNote with Kiosks


Using the lap top computers with OneNote
When we are able to sign out the computer cart, our math students can use the individual computers to work with the OneNote notebook. The headphones allow each student to listen to instructional videos.
OneNote with lap top

OneNote with lap top


Geometry students map out Proofs with Proof Blocks
Formal Geometric Proofs can be a challenge. Our Geometry students use Proof Blocks and the large white boards to map out the logical progression of the proofs.
students using Proof Blocks

Shown here is a completed proof using the larger classroom set.
Proof Blocks displayed on chalkboard
For more information about Proof Blocks, visit this LINK.


Standing up for Math
For students who prefer to spend some or all of the class period standing, we have constructed work stations using a box, a box lid, some cardboard shims, duct tape, and the back of an old dry erase board. A binder clip was added to keep papers from sliding off the work station.
standing work station

students at standing work station


Clickers
Formative assessments and class practice gives immediate feedback to all students and the teacher with the use of clickers.
students using clickers


Multiplying Fractions with Cupcakes
Math lessons come to life when we use tangible objects to model a concept. Here the class was learning to multiply fractions. The different colors of sprinkles were used to represent the fractions. 
cup cakes
The teacher was able to give the entire class a birds eye view of the cupcakes using the document camera.
cup cakes lesson
A detailed explanation of how the cupcakes represented the multiplication of fractions was modeled with a stylus pen on a powerpoint slide using a tablet.
cup cake lesson
The best part of the lesson came when the students were able to eat the fractional models.
cup cakes


Seek and Solve
Setting up a Seek and Solve activity is an active and self checking way for students to practice or review a concept.
Each mini poster has the answer to the previous question at the top of the paper and the new question at the bottom.
students completing seek n solve
When a student has completed the full course, they will find themselves back to where they started. This activity works well when students work individually or with a partner. The teacher is available to work with individual students to clarify concepts.


Barbie takes the plunge
One of our favorite units in Algebra is the statistical analysis unit where students learn how to analyze data with a linear regression model.
The data theme for this unit focuses on determining the number of rubber bands needed for Barbie to drop safely from a predetermined height.
 students completing Barbie bungee jump  students completing Barbie bungee jump

The project begins with students gathering data in class to determine how far Barbie will drop with a specific number of rubber bands.

 students completing Barbie bungee jump students completing Barbie bungee jump 

The data is then analyzed to determine the number of rubber bands needed for Barbie (or Ken) to drop safely from the final bungee jumping location. Since our building has no stairwell, we have had to get creative with our drop locations. Over the years we have dropped her from a platform on the side of the cafeteria stage, from a ladder, and from the school roof.
students completing Barbie bungee jump
For a detailed explanation of this project, visit the NCTM Illuminations LINK.


BIG White Boards
We have used small dry erase boards for years. This year we discovered the advantages that BIG response boards can provide for some lessons.

Students are able to set up individual work spaces while collaborating and discussing strategies with classmates.
BIG response boards

Students can also construct a single solution to a given problem as they work with a partner or with a small group.
BIG white boards

students using BIG response boards

The large size allows students to present their work to the class.
students using BIG white boards

The boards can be purchased at a local home supply store in sheets that are 8 feet by 4 feet. The store will then cut the sheets into 2 foot by 4 foot sections. 


6th Grade Students Create Learning Tools

The students were assigned to create a poster to teach other students how to  "Solve and Check a 1-step equation" or “Show how to analyze a graph to write the inequality AND given an inequality, graph it correctly on a number line.”

 project 1  project 2

project 3  

project 5  project 6  project 4