Author Archives: I Speak Math

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About I Speak Math

I am a mother to three boys. I am a Desmos Fellow. I have a BS in mathematics from Marshall University (Go Herd!) and a MaEd in Mathematics Education from Wake Forest University. I started out as a Math Grad student but discovered my love of teaching when I was teaching night classes to supplement my fellowship at Wake. I switched to MaEd in my second year of Grad school and have had a passion for teaching ever since! I have taught in public, private, and charter schools. I have taught community college, high school, and middle school. Find me on Twitter as @jreulbach.

Favorite Math Tasks / Activities / Lessons

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The topic for next week is “Warm-Ups and Closures“.   Submit your blog post here.

Blog posts appear in the order they were submitted. 

One-Sheets Are Back!

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We just finished our first chapter in Algebra 2.  This means that we also just did our first “One-Sheet” Study Guides!

  1.  I provided them with a list of the 6 main topics of this chapter.
  2. They brainstormed in groups about what should go under each topic, using their notes and book.
  3. They folded a brightly colored piece of paper into 6 sections and label each section with the topic.
  4. Gallery Walk – They walked around the room and examined each other’s boards to see it there was something great they wanted to include on their sheet that wasn’t on THEIR board.
  5. I take pictures that I post so students can go back and read the boards if they would like.

Brainstorming with their teams

Gallery Walk of the finished boards

Creating the One-Sheet

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Creating the One-Sheet from their boards

Emergency Sub Plans for Math Teachers

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The topic for next week is “Your Favorite Math Task / Activity / Lesson“.  It can be a small task or an entire lesson!  Share what you love!   Submit your blog post here.

Blog posts appear in the order they were submitted. 

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Our topic for next week is, “Favorite Math Tasks”

Due: Sunday, September 17th, 6AM

   Submit your blog post here.

Helpful tips:

  • Submit your blog post (below) by Sunday at 6AM to have your post included in the weekly summary.
  • Tweet out your post!  Use the hashtags #MTBoS (Math Twitter Blogosphere)*, and #SundayFunday to get more traffic to your post.  This is especially important if you are new to tweeting because only your followers will see your tweets unless you include a hashtag.
  • Additional Hashtags:  Of course you can always add more hashtags to your Tweet so more people will be exposed to your post!  You can search any keywords to find a hashtag, and here are some of the more popular ones:
    • #ElemMathChat (Elementary Teachers)
    • #MSmathChat (Middle School Teachers)
    • #GeomChat (Geometry)
    • #Alg1Chat (Alg1 Teachers)
    • #Alg2Chat (Alg2 Teachers)
    • #PreCalcChat (PreCalc and Calc)
    • #MathChat
  • JUST  #PushSend!  🙂

Submit your post using the form below by Saturday at midnight! Just #PressSend

You can also click here to submit.

New to Blogging?

If you are like, “Wow!  This sounds like so much fun!  I want to blog but don’t know where to start!” then you must read “Mission 1: The Power of the Blog” on the Explore the MTBoS site.

** The hardest thing to do week after week is come up with great prompts.  Please help us out by telling us what you would like to blog about (or even read about) here!

* The Math Twitters Blogosphere is not an organization.  Rather it refers to ANYONE that is involved in MATH in ANY way!  You do NOT have to Tweet or have a blog!  But, you can find many teachers that do tweet and blog by searching the hashtag #MTBoS on Twitter.  All are welcome, no invitation necessary!  Please join in the conversation!  Just #PushSend!  

Thanks so very much to @DruinOK for getting this all started and Jessica,  @Algebrainiac1, for creating our awesome logo!

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Our Favorite Math TEACHER HACKS!

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The topic for next week is “Emergency Sub Plans”.  We all have to have a back up plan for emergencies!  Do you have a folder?  What is in it and how is it organized?  And most importantly, what activity did you plan for your students?   Submit your blog post here.

Blog posts appear in the order they were submitted. 

 

MTBoS SunFun Logo

Our topic for next week is, “Emergency Sub Plans”

Due: Sunday, September 10th, 6AM

We all have to have a back up plan for emergencies!  Do you have a folder?  What is in it?  And most importantly, what activity did you plan for your students?   Submit your blog post here.

Helpful tips:

  • Submit your blog post (below) by Sunday at 6AM to have your post included in the weekly summary.
  • Tweet out your post!  Use the hashtags #MTBoS (Math Twitter Blogosphere)*, and #SundayFunday to get more traffic to your post.  This is especially important if you are new to tweeting because only your followers will see your tweets unless you include a hashtag.
  • Additional Hashtags:  Of course you can always add more hashtags to your Tweet so more people will be exposed to your post!  You can search any keywords to find a hashtag, and here are some of the more popular ones:
    • #ElemMathChat (Elementary Teachers)
    • #MSmathChat (Middle School Teachers)
    • #GeomChat (Geometry)
    • #Alg1Chat (Alg1 Teachers)
    • #Alg2Chat (Alg2 Teachers)
    • #PreCalcChat (PreCalc and Calc)
    • #MathChat
  • JUST  #PushSend!  🙂

Submit your post using the form below by Saturday at midnight! Just #PressSend

You can also click here to submit.

New to Blogging?

If you are like, “Wow!  This sounds like so much fun!  I want to blog but don’t know where to start!” then you must read “Mission 1: The Power of the Blog” on the Explore the MTBoS site.

** The hardest thing to do week after week is come up with great prompts.  Please help us out by telling us what you would like to blog about (or even read about) here!

* The Math Twitters Blogosphere is not an organization.  Rather it refers to ANYONE that is involved in MATH in ANY way!  You do NOT have to Tweet or have a blog!  But, you can find many teachers that do tweet and blog by searching the hashtag #MTBoS on Twitter.  All are welcome, no invitation necessary!  Please join in the conversation!  Just #PushSend!  

Thanks so very much to @DruinOK for getting this all started and Jessica,  @Algebrainiac1, for creating our awesome logo!

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SOS Organization for Teachers

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The topic for next week is “Teacher HACKS”.  Please share the tips and tricks that you have picked up along the way!  If you don’t have teacher hacks, or included them in your organization post, you could post about “Icebreakers” instead.  And if you are feeling really inspired, you could even blog about BOTH!  🙂   Submit your blog post here.

Blog posts appear in the order they were submitted. 

 

MTBoS SunFun Logo

Our topic for next week is, “Teacher Hacks! “

Due: Sunday, August 27th, 6AM

Elissa suggested this fun topic for the week!

Helpful tips:

  • Submit your blog post (below) by Sunday at 6AM to have your post included in the weekly summary.
  • Tweet out your post!  Use the hashtags #MTBoS (Math Twitter Blogosphere)*, and #SundayFunday to get more traffic to your post.  This is especially important if you are new to tweeting because only your followers will see your tweets unless you include a hashtag.
  • Additional Hashtags:  Of course you can always add more hashtags to your Tweet so more people will be exposed to your post!  You can search any keywords to find a hashtag, and here are some of the more popular ones:
    • #ElemMathChat (Elementary Teachers)
    • #MSmathChat (Middle School Teachers)
    • #GeomChat (Geometry)
    • #Alg1Chat (Alg1 Teachers)
    • #Alg2Chat (Alg2 Teachers)
    • #PreCalcChat (PreCalc and Calc)
    • #MathChat
  • JUST  #PushSend!  🙂

Submit your post using the form below by Saturday at midnight! Just #PressSend

You can also click here to submit.

New to Blogging?

If you are like, “Wow!  This sounds like so much fun!  I want to blog but don’t know where to start!” then you must read “Mission 1: The Power of the Blog” on the Explore the MTBoS site.

** The hardest thing to do week after week is come up with great prompts.  Please help us out by telling us what you would like to blog about (or even read about) here!

* The Math Twitters Blogosphere is not an organization.  Rather it refers to ANYONE that is involved in MATH in ANY way!  You do NOT have to Tweet or have a blog!  But, you can find many teachers that do tweet and blog by searching the hashtag #MTBoS on Twitter.  All are welcome, no invitation necessary!  Please join in the conversation!  Just #PushSend!  

Thanks so very much to @DruinOK for getting this all started and Jessica,  @Algebrainiac1, for creating our awesome logo!

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Week One Done! SOS Internal Clock

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Week one is in the books!  It was SO GREAT to be back!  I love starting new each year, and especially meeting an entirely new batch of students.  They are so fresh and truly inspire me the first week of school.  It reinforces how much I love what I do!

I am also EXHAUSTED.  You know, the “I haven’t even worn shoes much or woken up before 9am in two months” exhausted.  I don’t sit down while teaching, unless I am joining a students group, and am not used to standing so long.  The first week is stressful because I have so many things to do to start the year and am afraid I’m going to forget everything.  I wake up almost every morning around 4:30 or 5am, even though the alarm isn’t set until 6, with things running through my mind.  I literally was in bed by 9pm every night this week, but usually didn’t fall asleep until 10 or later.

I was so excited for this weekend!!  My son had a football game over 2 hours away Friday night, so I didn’t get to bed until 1:00 AM.  I had planned on SLEEPING UNTIL NOON today, but my body had other ideas.  Apparently, my internal clock has been totally reset and I awoke at 6AM.  I stayed in bed until 7, desperately trying to fall back to sleep, with no luck.  So, I decided to get up and DO THINGS.

I got up and ran three miles (well, it was definitely more of a walk speed as I’m exhausted and haven’t exercised in toooo long – BUT I DID IT).  Then, because I love to cook and miss it when during the school year (teaching plus 3 boys in sports), I went on a cooking spree and made two quiches, a cobbler, and pasta salad this morning.  I also organized my unit binders and blogged – TWICE now!  I am feeling invincible right now.  BUT, I see a giant nap in my future…

Have a great weekend!  And take care of yourself.

Spinach Gruyère Quiche
FOOD!
Bacon Ham Quiche
Cobbler

Organization – The Struggle is REAL

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I love being organized, but have such a tough time with it.  I move too fast, do too much, and don’t leave enough time to put things away at the end of the day.  But I try.  I love making things organized for my students, so I don’t have to waste class time passing out papers and materials, or getting work for absent students.  Most of my organization tips I found from other people, and am even trying something new after reading the blog posts this week!

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Plastic Grading Folder/Pocket:

I put all assessments that need to be graded in a clear plastic pocket.  There is a hi-lighter and Pilot FriXion Clicker Retractable Erasable Gel Pens in there for grading.  This way I can take my grading with me to all of my children’s activities.  The plastic pocket is durable so the papers don’t get messed up on the soccer field.  🙂

 

IMG_1653Student Math Numbers:

I give every student a number at the beginning of the year.  They put this number on all of their graded work.  It helps me quickly alphabetize the papers so I can enter them into the grade book.

Extra Handouts:

I have two hanging file folders on the wall, one for each prep, that I label for each day of the week.  I put extra handouts in there so if a student loses theirs, they can get another one.  This is also great for tutors as they can see any work we’ve been doing.

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Table/Team Folders:

I got this amazing idea from Sam Shah last year!  I have one folder for each table.

  • I put their handouts for the day in each folder so I don’t have to pass them out.
  • They put work they need to return to me inside the folder.
  • If a student is absent, then the next day any handouts they will need is inside their folder!
  • I have Homework Responsibility sheets in there as well so they can fill out a sheet when they first come into the room if they didn’t do their homework.
  • I also put their name (on a post-it) on the outside of each folder.  This also serves as their seating chart.  When I want to change seating, I just switch the post-its.  It’s great for me bc I’m a very visual person, especially when arranging seating!
  • I keep their folders on the table by the door, so the students get their table folder as they come in.  But, if I want to change where a TEAM sits, I just put their folders on a different table before they come in.

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Supplies:

I keep all supplies that students will need on a big shelf in the back.  This way I don’t have to get them out and distribute each time!

Unit Binders!

I have not done this yet, but after reading Greta’s organization post and a slew of tweets I am going to try to use unit binders.  I am hoping it will keep me more organized.  I bought a box of 12 1 inch binders on Amazon for $27.00!  But now the price has increased to $37.00!?

Screen Shot 2017-08-26 at 10.44.24 AM

Classroom Management Help

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The topic for next week is “Everything Organization”.  Please share you stealth organization, tips, and tricks that make managing everything else a breeze!   Submit your blog post here.

Blog posts appear in the order they were submitted. 

MTBoS SunFun Logo

Our topic for next week is, “Organization “

Due: Sunday, August 27th, 6AM

One of the MOST REQUESTED topics in the Topic Submission Form was organization!  Since it’s still August, there is no better time to tackle this!  Help the organizationally challenged (like me).  Tell us all how you do it!  Tell us all about your organization hacks, classroom layout (photos if you have them!), classroom routines, gradebooks, managing students, dates, emails, paper!  

Helpful tips:

  • Submit your blog post (below) by Sunday at 6AM to have your post included in the weekly summary.
  • Tweet out your post!  Use the hashtags #MTBoS (Math Twitter Blogosphere)*, and #SundayFunday to get more traffic to your post.  This is especially important if you are new to tweeting because only your followers will see your tweets unless you include a hashtag.
  • Additional Hashtags:  Of course you can always add more hashtags to your Tweet so more people will be exposed to your post!  You can search any keywords to find a hashtag, and here are some of the more popular ones:
    • #ElemMathChat (Elementary Teachers)
    • #MSmathChat (Middle School Teachers)
    • #GeomChat (Geometry)
    • #Alg1Chat (Alg1 Teachers)
    • #Alg2Chat (Alg2 Teachers)
    • #PreCalcChat (PreCalc and Calc)
    • #MathChat
  • JUST  #PushSend!  🙂

Submit your post using the form below by Saturday at midnight! Just #PressSend

You can also click here to submit.

New to Blogging?

If you are like, “Wow!  This sounds like so much fun!  I want to blog but don’t know where to start!” then you must read “Mission 1: The Power of the Blog” on the Explore the MTBoS site.

** The hardest thing to do week after week is come up with great prompts.  Please help us out by telling us what you would like to blog about (or even read about) here!

* The Math Twitters Blogosphere is not an organization.  Rather it refers to ANYONE that is involved in MATH in ANY way!  You do NOT have to Tweet or have a blog!  But, you can find many teachers that do tweet and blog by searching the hashtag #MTBoS on Twitter.  All are welcome, no invitation necessary!  Please join in the conversation!  Just #PushSend!  

Thanks so very much to @DruinOK for getting this all started and Jessica,  @Algebrainiac1, for creating our awesome logo!

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First Day Blogs, 2017-18 #MTBoS

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Blog posts appear in the order they were submitted. 

From the archives! Collections of blog posts about first days from past years.

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Our topic for next week is, “Classroom Management”

Due: Sunday, August 20th, 6AM

Recently, Fawn wrote a post on Classroom Management that I really enjoyed.  As Fawn pointed out, Michael is right, we don’t talk enough about this!  Because sometimes, we do pick the right task, and are doing the right things, when something goes wrong.  How do you handle that?  What are your policies that help your class run smoothly?  What are your go-tos?  How do we engage the student that doesn’t like our class, or is disrespectful?  When do we contact parents and what do we say to them?  What resources have helped you that others could turn to?  I’ve been teaching for many years and this is still hard for me.  So, let’s write this week for each other, and especially for the new teachers out there.  Because this is a topic that is not often covered enough, especially in a positive way!

Helpful tips:

  • Submit your blog post (below) by Sunday at 6AM to have your post included in the weekly summary.
  • Tweet out your post!  Use the hashtags #MTBoS (Math Twitter Blogosphere)*, and #SundayFunday to get more traffic to your post.  This is especially important if you are new to tweeting because only your followers will see your tweets unless you include a hashtag.
  • Additional Hashtags:  Of course you can always add more hashtags to your Tweet so more people will be exposed to your post!  You can search any keywords to find a hashtag, and here are some of the more popular ones:
    • #ElemMathChat (Elementary Teachers)
    • #MSmathChat (Middle School Teachers)
    • #GeomChat (Geometry)
    • #Alg1Chat (Alg1 Teachers)
    • #Alg2Chat (Alg2 Teachers)
    • #PreCalcChat (PreCalc and Calc)
    • #MathChat
  • JUST  #PushSend!  🙂

Submit your post using the form below by Saturday at midnight! Just #PressSend

You can also click here to submit.

New to Blogging?

If you are like, “Wow!  This sounds like so much fun!  I want to blog but don’t know where to start!” then you must read “Mission 1: The Power of the Blog” on the Explore the MTBoS site.

** The hardest thing to do week after week is come up with great prompts.  Please help us out by telling us what you would like to blog about (or even read about) here!

* The Math Twitters Blogosphere is not an organization.  Rather it refers to ANYONE that is involved in MATH in ANY way!  You do NOT have to Tweet or have a blog!  But, you can find many teachers that do tweet and blog by searching the hashtag #MTBoS on Twitter.  All are welcome, no invitation necessary!  Please join in the conversation!  Just #PushSend!  

Thanks so very much to @DruinOK for getting this all started and Jessica,  @Algebrainiac1, for creating our awesome logo!

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First Day 2017-18

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The FIRST DAY is SO EXCITING!  Even though I am not ready to go back to school yet (I still have so much I wanted to get done and …. SUMMER), I love thinking about the first day back.  I can’t wait to actually meet and interact with the amazing young learners that I will get to work with this year.  Their enthusiasm for learning is at a high the first days of school and I am excited to harness that and turn it into amazing math!

I do not go over my course guidelines the first day.  I would rather spend that day getting to know my kids, having them get to know each other, and playing with math!  I have found that it is better to go over one guideline every day or so in the first few weeks, as they naturally come up.  I usually say, “Refer to this place in your syllabus.” in response to a student question.  This reminds students that the syllabus taped in their notebooks is a great place to look for important information that they may need.

Sarah Vanderwerf is a thoughtful educator and you should definitely follow her blog if you don’t already.  Basically my entire first day is coming from her!  Last year I did Sarah’s name tents and I loved them!  I think my students liked them as well because later in the year I learned that some students had shared part of their name tent on Snapchat.  I also noticed some of them kept their name tents in their notebooks.  Even though replying to name tents took a lot of work the first week, getting to know each of my students better was worth it, especially if they appreciated it as well.  I also did Sarah’s 100’s Task later in the week last year.  But I loved it so much I am doing it on the first day this year!

Our first day has very short class periods, only 25 minutes long, so I don’t have time for much. We still have almost two weeks until school starts so my first day plans aren’t firmed up completely yet, but this is what I am thinking.

  • Greet students at the door with a Hi-Five and instruct them to look for their seat.
  • I always have a seating chart the first day to help ease student anxiety.  I will have their names on their tables and may even project it.
  • Name tents will be waiting at their tables to give them something to start on before class starts.  I am a die hard “bell to bell” teacher and there is no better time to start this than the first day! I will have an example name tent for them on each table.
  • Display what they need for my class this year and briefly talk about it while they finish their name tents.
  • Have student introduce themselves to the other students at their table.
  • Have each student write down their favorite movie, ice cream, and vacation spot.  Then each table group compares answers to determine the favorite move, ice cream and vacation spot of the group.  After they finish, they will share their group answers with the class.  We did this in our CPM training and it was a fun and low stress ice breaker activity.  (I may not have time for this, and may have to push it to day 2).  I will pass out textbooks during this time.
  • 100’s Task!  I will take pics of the action!
  • Discuss 100’s Task and share the pics I took to show them what great group work looks like! I’m not sure how I will record this yet.  I will either write it on the white board or type their responses into a google doc so I can print it out and share it with them.  (I may do this on day 2 so I have time for the ice breaker above).
  • Closing. I’m terrible at class closure.  I’m going to set a 5 minute timer on my watch so I can remind myself daily to close the lesson.  Not sure what this looks like yet. They will need to clean up their tables and turn in their name tents.  I don’t know if I will have time for an additional closing activity!  This may just be a time for me to say goodbye and have a great day!