10/5/2016 10 Comments Halloween Equations
Halloween is far from my favorite holiday, but the students seem to love it!
They get pretty into it, so I decided to go ahead and make a Halloween - themed version of the equation picture challenges I wanted to make. My goal for these is to practice algebraic concepts in a different format. These are great for practicing substitutions (an awesome lead-in to solving systems of equations). But they can also be an application of the transitive property in some cases on the challenging level of the cards.
I love the conversations that these types of problems inspire. It's so cool to see how some kids work in pictures, while some instantly can figure it out mentally without even thinking they are using any "Algebra."
These are great for partner work, because they can talk through different methods of solving (so common-core-friendly!). You can also try using one each day during the week of Halloween as a warm-up. I included an easier set of 4 problems for younger students too (or a basic starter set before using the 4 challenging ones).
For more math education ideas, resources, and updates, subscribe by entering your email here:
Check out these great ideas for math education next:
10 Comments
9/19/2016 3 Comments Vocabulary Practice - Folding Cards with Root Words for Students to Use as Review Tools
So many times, when I introduce a content-specific vocabulary term, I find myself teaching a root word or etymology to show the students connections between words. This helps them remember the meanings of the terms more easily.
I find that going beyond just the term and its definition helps increase retention, so I have dumped the basic index cards as vocabulary flashcards. Instead, students can create a folding card that helps them to practice and review the meaning behind the word through memory triggers - root words, images, and explanations in their own words. Often, once students hear a root word, there is a huge "AHA" moment. I like to compare the commutative property to commuting (moving back and forth). I ask students to give me as many words as they can that begin with "poly" when I teach polygons, polyhedra, or polynomials. Then we talk about how "polytheism" is about many gods, "polygamy" is many wives, and "polychromatic" means many colors. These discussions and comparisons help the kids make connections that will lead them into a definition that they understand and remember. Creating the Cards:
Tips for Students:
Some Sample Roots & Etymologies:
This strategy works in any subject area, but I have collected some math-specific terms here for you to share some root words.
Study Skills Beyond Vocabulary Terms
For middle school students (and even some high school students), explicitly learning study skills and strategies can be really important.
If you want to go beyond vocabulary, check out this study skills pack for math class that guides students through study strategies like mind maps, these vocabulary folding cards, and tricks for memorizing formulas. To Read Next:8/20/2016 29 Comments Geometry with Roof Trusses
I created some very nifty digital roof trusses for another resource the other day. I put so much effort into researching and building different truss styles, that I decided to share the images as clip art in case other people can use these in worksheets, etc.
They are great for real-world problem solving in so many areas, depending on what "given" parts you label: - Triangle Sum Theorem - Congruent & Similar Triangles & Quadrilaterals - Quadrilateral Sums (& even pentagons) - Angle Addition Postulate - Supplementary Angles & Linear Pairs - Diagrams within proofs ... and a lot more. Just pop them on the page, and add some text boxes or symbols to create endless problem sets. These would be great on quizzes. You can shrink/expand them to any size. Here are the individual clipart files (as PNGs with invisible backgrounds). These image files are for personal or classroom use only, not for commercial use (You may not sell any resource with these images in it). Click each picture to download and save each image file:
Here is a worksheet I created as a missing-angle-measure puzzle.
Click the image to download the PDF file and answer key:
If you use this worksheet, after the great review of angle measures, properties of triangles, and supplementary angles, you can follow it up by asking students to classify the different triangles, identify pairs of similar and congruent triangles, and even discuss special right triangles.
I hope you and your students can use and enjoy these! If you are interested in receiving more free teaching resources, math articles, and updates, join my email list: To Read Next: |
Archives
December 2023
Click to set custom HTML
|