Category Archives: Pre-Algebra

Critter Patterns

Posted on May 14, 2016 by Cathy Yenca

Texas Math 8 standards provide students with a firm foundation of linear concepts and slope-intercept form.  Additionally, my Math 8 kiddos just wrapped up a polynomials enrichment unit.  With this in mind, I felt like they had a solid background to … Continue reading →

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Using Desmos on iPads… for the Algebra 1 EOC STAAR Test… Take 1

Posted on May 7, 2016 by Cathy Yenca

For the first time in history… (too strong?)… my Algebra 1 students excitedly embraced the opportunity to use Desmos Test Mode *AND* TI graphing calculators during their End-of-Course STAAR test this past week. In years prior, TI handheld graphing calculators … Continue reading →

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Teamwork and Communication Using Quizlet Live

Posted on April 30, 2016 by Cathy Yenca

My colleague Gary Raygor happened to post a photo online, showing his students having a blast in his classroom, working in teams, arms flailing with… joy or regret…I couldn’t quite tell.  But what anyone could clearly see is that his … Continue reading →

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The Weeks Keep Flying By…

Posted on April 21, 2016 by Cathy Yenca

This time of year, I feel like the days just slip through my fingers.  So many good things are happening, and yet I haven’t stopped to reflect and post about them.  At all!  Forgive my drive-by approach at summarizing a … Continue reading →

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Using Desmos on iPads… for the Math 8 STAAR Test… Take 2

Posted on March 31, 2016 by Cathy Yenca

Last year, our district pioneered using the Desmos Test Mode iOS app on STAAR (state) tests.  You can read about that here. For the 2015-16 school year, we knew that the Texas Education Agency updated its calculator policy to extend the … Continue reading →

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Curating and Organizing (So You’ll Remember What You Have When You Need It)

Posted on March 12, 2016 by Cathy Yenca

Thanks to the #MTBoS and a plethora of digital tools, we have access to a lot of resources. A LOT.  And they’re coming at us at lightning speed thanks to Twitter and blogs… often *not* when we’re teaching the concepts … Continue reading →

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Guest Post – 3-Acts: Using Digital Tools to Give Every Student a Voice

Posted on March 4, 2016 by Cathy Yenca

Two things I’m passionate about when it comes to technology integration: Giving every student an opportunity (and frankly accountability) to weigh-in on mathematics we’re learning about and showcase their thinking… even if it’s incorrect at the start (we value those … Continue reading →

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Blogarithm Guest Post – Vertical Value: Part 2

Posted on February 24, 2016 by Cathy Yenca

Check out this @Desmos shout-out on the MTMS Blog, and how I transformed a “worksheet” into a Rectangles Polygraph activity… and when I used it with students, it didn’t go as planned. If you use this pairs activity, I’m curious … Continue reading →

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Experiencing Transformations Dynamically With Nearpod and Desmos

Posted on February 13, 2016 by Cathy Yenca

My Math 8 students started exploring patterns for various transformations in the coordinate plane this week.  Such a visual and potentially dynamic topic calls for visual and dynamic lesson presentation (ahem… not a static worksheet).  The winning combination this week … Continue reading →

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Blogarithm Guest Post #2 of 4

Posted on February 1, 2016 by Cathy Yenca

It’s my pleasure to have the opportunity to share on NCTM’S Mathematics Teaching in the Middle School “Blogarithm” blog!  Check out the second post of four using the link below. Thanks to Dr. Clayton Edwards for the opportunity to share! Vertical Value: … Continue reading →

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