Category Archives: Pre-Algebra

Festive Fractivities: An Annual Tradition!

After semester exams, we ALL need a break.  The novel topic of fractals is a welcome change of pace.  I usually conduct my fractal mini-study for two class periods right before the holiday. Day 1: Introduction to Fractals and Creating … Continue reading

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An Unintended “Perk”: iPads + Socrative = “The Best Review” For Exams

I shared recently about how the Socrative App / student-response system has encouraged and enabled me to revamp my daily warm-up routine.  This increased accountability through 3-question weekly Socrative warm-up quizzes has been an efficient and informative way to complete … Continue reading

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iPad Visit: Teacher Panel Video

Hill Country Middle School invited professionals from nearby districts to come see our classrooms and how we’ve been using the iPad.  It was great to share with others who are embracing the iPad as a learning tool.  Check out our … Continue reading

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Happy 12-12-12 !

Happy 12-12-12! At 12:12pm, my algebra students and I took our iPads out to the hallway, and yelled, “Happy 12-12-12!”  There were photos and screenshots galore.  It was only a minute, but it was fund while it lasted!  Here’s a … Continue reading

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Nearpod, I Think I Love You

I used Nearpod presentations for several different lessons this week, and I think I’m in love!  (If you’ve never heard of Nearpod, check out their website for a brief description.) To create the presentations I didn’t have to start from scratch … Continue reading

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How Socrative Changed My Warm-Ups

My beginning-of-class routine has evolved over the course of my career. In the beginning, I simply did a “DO-NOW” which rarely involved mathematical thought at all.  It was a daily reminder about having necessary materials out and being “with it” … Continue reading

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I Am a Witness to Perplexity

My students have been studying ratios, rates and proportions.  We’ve compared unit prices to find the “better buy” and found the heights of trees and flagpoles using their shadows and similar triangles.  We’ve also converted rates using dimensional analysis (usually … Continue reading

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FactorMan Champion Shares Strategies

When I introduced my students to the free FactorMan app, I had no idea how it would impact some of them.  It seems this app has really captured some students, so much so, that they are playing it on their own … Continue reading

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Using the iPad to Test the Textbook: Snail Racing…?

The topic – direct variation The application – snail speeds An example from our text had us scratching our heads… not about the concept of direct variation, but rather… about how fast a snail can actually travel.  When we encountered … Continue reading

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With DocAS, Students *DO* Like Doing Math on the iPad

Our staff is brand-new to this 1-to-1 iPad gig.  We help each other, share ideas, and seek help and feedback from our students.  Recently, I heard a broad generalization about our 1-to-1 that irked me… The statement was that the students … Continue reading

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