Asilomar Presentation
“Making Sense of Word Problems”. Feel free to use or edit as you like. CMC-WP
More Word Problems
1. Two More Fun Warm-ups Reviewing Word Problems We have seen our 8th graders struggle with algebra problems that involve “the number of bills” and the “value of those bills”. They can write x + y = 27 if there are 27 five and 10 dollar bills altogether, but stumble over the value equation: …
‘Mystery’ Warm-Ups, plus: Starting our Unit on Patterns
REVIEWING MADE FUN! We found on our second quiz that many students were still struggling with word problems. (Correct student quiz answers here.) So we adapted some of Steve Wyborney’s “Esti-mysteries” to continue reviewing word problems, and students seem to enjoy these ‘mysteries’ and look forward to them. Try these engaging warm-ups: Important: Take TIME …
‘Mystery’ Warm-Ups, plus: Starting our Unit on Patterns Read More »
Fractions with Legos
We found Lego-type blocks at the Dollar Shop!
Fractions: Transferring From Blocks to Word Problems
Word Problems – YAY! Our intensive use of Cuisenaire rods came to fruition now as we attempt to transfer fraction visualization to word problems. Here are the 2 lessons we spent on this so far: CW Frac to WP1 and CW Frac to WP2 We used a format called “Builders and Scribes”.
Why Withhold the Fraction Algorithm?
According to this article by Jo Boaler — professor of mathematics education at Stanford and co-founder of http://www.youcubed.org — math memorizers scored poorly on the international PISA test, and the U.S. has more memorizers than most other countries in the world. The highest achieving students internationally were those who thought of math as a set …
Egyptian Fractions… This Learning Pyramid was STEEP!
First of all, we’re glad we did this new unit. It uses Cuisenaire rods extensively. However, it was hard! There were pitfalls and things we would do differently next time, but aren’t there always? So, here goes.
Homework – How Much? How Hard?
Ah… Homework Raise your hand if you remember hating homework as a child … Raise your hand if you have children and hate it when they have homework … Raise your hand if, as a teacher, you have ever received homework submitted with teardrops on it 🙁 If you haven’t raised your hand yet, you …
Four Investigations and a Question
Enjoy our four consecutive days of investigation lessons, plus one BIG question: “Why the investigations? Are they worth the time invested?”
Back-to-School Night
We’re hosting Back-to-School night tomorrow. Here are our editable slides that can be either projected or printed out for parents. Break a leg!