Monthly Archives: May 2010

How Do You Use Google Docs?

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Thanks to Twitter, and especially @msgregson’s constant promoting of Google Docs I decided that I had to check it out.  I already use the Google calendar to sync my life.  And, all of my wiki sidebar apps come from Google so I was hopeful it would be a great resource.

I was not disappointed!  I created a Google Form on my new class wiki.  Students will go to the wiki from home, click an assignment to open it, and then answer the questions in the Spreadsheet Activity Form.  Then, Voila – their answers will instantly appear in a spreadsheet on my computer!

Spreadsheet Activity Form

INSTANTLY, I get the results in a spreadsheet created in my Google Docs.  It looks like this and can be edited and sorted.

Spreadsheet generated by the Google Form

Spreadsheet generated by the Google Form

Why I love this:

1)  It is paperless.  I love that it is green AND I hate dealing with stacks of paper.  So less paper = happy teacher + better earth!

2)  It is all in one place.  I don’t have to carry the papers home with me or stash them in my full, full bag.

3)  It is organized.  I assign my students a number based on their name in the alphabet (1 – 16).  I have them enter that number into the form and then can sort their answers alphabetically so facilitate easy grade recording.  It is also an easy identifier of who has submitted without using last names.  And again, I don’t have to manually alphabetize a stack of papers!

Question – How do you use Google Docs in your class?

How are other math teachers successfully using Google Docs in their classrooms?  If you are, please comment below and please provide a link to an example if you have one handy!

My First Powerpoint Presentation

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I just learned Powerpoint and this is my first go at it.  I plan on teaching some data analysis first thing in my 6th and 7th grade math classes so that I may use relevant data to teach with throughout the year.

In Powerpoint:  http://reulbach.pbworks.com/Data-Analysis

In PDF:  http://reulbach.pbworks.com/f/Survey.pdf

I would LOVE comments and suggestions as:

1)  This is my first ppt so I know it needs work.

2)  I plan on doing more ppt asap so I would love tips so I can improve subsequent presentations.

3)  This is my first time teaching to this level (MS) so I don’t want to go too high or low.

Thanks in advance for comments, suggestions, or any assistance you can offer!

Math Tweet Links – Week Ending 5/14/10

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One of the things that I love the most about Twitter is all of the great links that I get!  So, inspired by Sam’s favorite tweets of the week, I have made a math tweet links of the week.  Hopefully now I won’t lose all of my favorite links!

Feel free to add any math links that I might have missed that you love in the comments section.  Also, I am sure that there is a “cleaner” way to do this but I don’t know how yet.  If you want to tell me, great!  It has to be quick though.  Also, I can’t get my links to work.  Grrr….

Julie
MeetingWords: Realtime Collaborative Text Editing http://bit.ly/9yg3JA Another entry in the post-EtherPad sweepstakes

xmath2007
MeetingWords: Realtime Collaborative Text Editing http://bit.ly/9yg3JA  Another entry in the post-EtherPad sweepstakes
about 4 hours ago via bit.ly
misscalcul8
@jreulbach Here you go http://bit.ly/byr6DO I probably just confused you with words lol
about 8 hours ago via TweetDeck in reply to jreulbach
msgregson
create your own free flash website at http://www.wix.com!
3:06 PM May 13th via TweetDeck
jreulbach
3:04 PM May 13th via Twitter for BlackBerry®
Fouss
Any great ideas for surface area? I’m considering this http://bit.ly/dhtQZK and this http://bit.ly/av5CfQ .
9:48 AM May 13th via TweetDeck
xmath2007
RT @maggiev: 4 Tips for Integrating Social Media Into the Classroom http://bit.ly/dlFRmT
7:59 AM May 13th via Seesmic
jybuell
RT @mctownsley 2 posts within 24 hours on writing better math tests. wow @samjshah http://bit.ly/a8OTAL and @rileylark http://bit.ly/b9notf
9:23 PM May 12th via Twitterrific
mathfaery
RT @CafeRico: Math Mama Writes…: Math Relax: A Guided Visualization for Overcoming Test Anxiety in Math http://bit.ly/a0KHHh
7:26 PM May 12th via Digsby
Mrs_Fuller
RT @mathblows: Q: What does the Ph.D. in math with a job say to the Ph.D. in math without a job?A: `Paper or plastic?’ #lulz #truth
6:41 PM May 12th via TweetDeck
msgregson
RT @web20classroom: A Plethora Of K-12, All Subject Areas, Videos For The Classroom: http://bit.ly/aMxvhN
4:17 PM May 12th via TweetDeck
msgregson
@jbrtva not sure if this is what you’re looking for, but maybe this? http://bit.ly/bJ06Bi
4:14 PM May 12th via TweetDeck in reply to jbrtva
mathfaery
RT @georgewoodbury @tperran Great site containing dozens of customizable game templates w/ auth theme music and sounds! http://bit.ly/N07Rf
8:19 PM May 11th via Digsby
xmath2007
4 Tips for Integrating Social Media Into the Classroom http://is.gd/c4VNt
8:01 PM May 11th via Gruml
k8nowak
If your class needs to practice Geometry vocab check out the epic I Have/Who Has I just made: http://www.box.net/shared/r9kxp5hbu0
4:31 PM May 11th via web
TeachingIdeas
Teaching News: Teaching Facebook Groups http://bit.ly/blOcxw
2:13 PM May 11th via Twitter Tools
xmath2007
Catch of the Day – TES iboard – May 11, 2010: http://bit.ly/9322LQ EDge21
11:42 AM May 11th via twitterfeed
Fouss
Just found a site with some cool geometric nets: http://bit.ly/9YA6dD
10:51 AM May 11th via TweetDeck
JamiDanielle
@calcdave @jreulbach And I live in a big football area so I melodramatically demonstrate line passing through and “BAM! Intercepted”
9:37 AM May 11th via web
JamiDanielle
@calcdave @jreulbach I usually give a brief explanation 4 the historical mystery but then tell them it helps to think of mountain.
9:36 AM May 11th via web in reply to calcdave
mjruden
@jreulbach it stands for “mountain” which is where the slopes are! Ha!
9:34 AM May 11th via Tweetie in reply to jreulbach
calcdave
@jreulbach @someecards http://bit.ly/9ZuYoA (re: slope = m)
9:04 AM May 11th via Brizzly
monk51295
RT @ShellTerrell: @russell1955: on @NikPeachey ‘s post ‘3 wifi Tools for Presentations’ http://bit.ly/9GvrBh #elearning #edtech – excellent
5:31 PM May 10th via Seesmic
TeachingIdeas
Need some printable nets for 3D shapes? This document has a net for every possible shape you can imagine!… http://bit.ly/cfiAEu
3:52 PM May 10th via Facebook
msgregson
doing a review of factoring using the wheel of partners (http://bit.ly/ba96Eq) LOVE it!!!
11:02 AM May 10th via TweetDeck
xmath2007
Catch of the Day – Mathalicious – 10 May 10: http://bit.ly/cmOhag EDge21
10:03 AM May 10th via twitterfeed
mmorley
Must have tool for K-8 Math teachers: http://tinyurl.com/yhggwju
1:36 PM May 6th via Power Twitter
mwedwards
Interactive Graphic Organizers http://bit.ly/MMVKA via @kellyhines
7:49 AM May 6th via TweetDeck
CmonMattTHINK
Had it with complaining seniors today, so I let them have it a little at the beginning of class. I should do it more often–they were great.
2:21 PM May 5th via web
jagkise
Check out virtual “mathcaching” based on geocaching, at http://www.mathbits.com. Basic math through precalc levels!
4:50 PM May 4th via web
CardsChic
@DebWeinhold Happy, except the post is probably sad looking. I was very tired…
9:17 AM Apr 28th via TweetDeck in reply to DebWeinhold
mctownsley
@ACinIowa @JoPrusha we don’t prohibit the tools in shop class, but instead teach appropriate use. why not w/these tools, too?
8:58 AM Apr 28th via Echofon in reply to ACinIowa
Sarah_IC
@mwmathews We have some 6th grade target drafts. I’m at home right now and will see what I can do once I’m at school today.
8:42 AM Apr 28th via web in reply to mwmathews
CardsChic
@jreulbach Note to self – invest in MANY yellow markers!
6:39 PM Apr 22nd via TweetDeck in reply to jreulbach

How to Study: Index Card Method – Linking it to Standards Based Learning

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I have my students make index cards instead of taking notes on paper.  Then we hole-punch them and put them on a silver ring.  Think 1st grade site word list here.  The kids enjoy making them and don’t mind going over them before tests.  I have some vocab but mostly example problems on the cards.  To study, I tell my students to rework the index card problems on a separate sheet of paper until they can get it right without looking at the answer on the back of the card.   **  I like Kate’s cover, copy, repeat and am going to add the “copy” part this year. **  I tell them to take the index card off of the ring once they know it cold.

In the past I have had the students make the notecards on test review day as their in-class review.  Then, they used these cards to study for their test.  This year I am going to have my students make the cards as we go along instead of making them all on the same day at then end of the unit.  Then they can look at them to help with homework or review work.

I read a post from Jason about teaching students how to study.  This made me think about how to make the cards more useful to the students as I incorporate Standards Based Learning this year.  So, on the front of each index card I am going to have the students write   “CONCEPT #1”   in the top right hand corner.  As they plug along on their concept checklist, if they need help with a concept they will know which index card(s) they need to access for additional help and study.  They can keep these cards on their ring until they reach a 4 or 5 (mastery) on the concept list.

That is all I have so far!  I would love any tweeks or additional thoughts as I am very much in the planning stages now.

UPDATE:

They write the notecards from my Powerpoint slides – like this.

After each chapter is finished, I have them take the cards off of the ring and make “Flip Charts” for each chapter.  Read all about it and see pictures of the finished flip charts here.

Join the Math Teacher Wiki!

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Calling all math teachers!!

After teaching only HS (and specifically Alg II or higher) for the last few years I am moving on over to the wonderful world of middle school this fall!  I will be teaching 6th and 7th grades.

Since this is a new arena for me I am putting out the all call for resources!  So, I have set up a wiki for any math teachers to add resources.  Math Teacher Wiki

I am new to the whole wiki thing so the format is pretty basic right now.  I hope to improve it as time goes on.

Just updated:

You can add yourself to the wiki!   I fixed it so I do not have to add people.  Yeah!  Very exciting stuff!

Let’s do this!