Weapons of Math Instruction

Math Education Image and Idea Sharing Project

mrfollett — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 19:46:54 +0000

It’s exciting! I’m collecting more images for math instruction. Two reasons for this:

(2) I have a halfway decent cell phone camera now.

But how should I organize them? And how can I increase my supply of them even more? And where can I get great ideas on how to use them?

How about here: flickr.com/groups/math “The Math Education Image and Idea Sharing Project”

Join us, and start sharing your Images and Ideas.

Merv Mosher: Intro to Statistics

mrfollett — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 18:40:33 +0000

A great intro to statistics from Big Ideas.

Public Schools Outperform Private Schools in Math

mrfollett — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 18:36:00 +0000

According to this Science Daily article several factors have caused this result including more certified math teachers and a better curriculum focusing more on geometry, measurement and algebra. What exactly are they doing in private schools?

Graphing Parabolas.

mrfollett — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 22:06:01 +0000

I made a simple worksheet asking students to use graphing calculators to graph quadratic equations in sets of 4. For example, the first set was:

They were then required to sketch the graphs and write a statement about how the graphs were related by transformation.

The final part of the lesson was when I really stretched them. I created a powerpoint with images of graphs I had made using an online graphing calculator and asked students to make their calculator screens match my screen. Without having formalized rules for quadratic equations and graphs my students were able to do it, they discovered the rules and patterns.

Files:

worksheet

powerpoint

1 Trillion Dollars

mrfollett — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 23:06:00 +0000

This is great. As math teachers especially, we know that numbers sometimes start to lose their meaning.

Graph Humor.

mrfollett — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 01:56:58 +0000

Here is one of the latest from xkcd:

And from graphjam:

Human Function Machines.

mrfollett — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 02:52:57 +0000

As a way to help students understand that a function is a relation where every input value has exactly one output value teachers and textbooks introduce the idea of a function machine. A machine is a very apt and relevant analogy, those of us who’ve dabbled in computer programming know the importance of the function to any programming language. How could a computer/machine output two values given a single input value, the machine would have to make a choice. And choice is entirely human.

So, it struck me. Why not turn my students into machines, after all, they’re very good at copying things and following procedures, but I digress.

Here’s the idea. Given a relation expressed as a set of ordered pairs, map, equation, or graph the teacher says an input value and the students must reply with the output value. I started by introducing only functions (I said “1″ and they replied “2″, I said “2″ and they replied “4″, etc.) then I put in a relation that wasn’t a function. Something different happened, students were saying different values or introducing the word “or” and “and.” With that, they understood, and were able to extend their understanding easily from list of coordinates to function maps and even graphs without the vertical line test.

Student class attendance value.

mrfollett — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 02:53:51 +0000

Mr. K helps his students understand just what their time in class is worth to them. His conclusion is pretty powerful $250 per period for earning an A.

I used to confront the “hall wanderers” and tell them every minute that they’re out of class is like a dollar off their salary. Looks like I wasn’t too far off.

Adaptation.

mrfollett — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 00:48:07 +0000

Starting student teaching.

At the end of student teaching.

Arriving as a full time teacher.

Second year teacher.

Now.

The Ishango Bone.

mrfollett — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 15:32:05 +0000

The Math Factor Podcast discusses the finding of the Ishango Bone and methods of African counting. The Ishango Bone is an ancient African bone containing tally marks possibly used as a teaching tool. I prefer my white board.