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Next week, please blog about differentiation in the math classroom.
Next week, please blog about how to increase students problem solving skills.
Our middle school has been one to one for the past two years and I love it. I mostly have the students work on Google Documents (Drive). The best things about Google Documents are that it is free, updates instantly, allows students to collaborate, and there is no software required. I occasionally use Khan Academy problem sets for students to practice their basic skills. I like it because students can easily find the next topic to work on once they are proficient in one topic. I don’t love that I can’t chose the level of problems they work on, some of the topics aren’t covered, and some of the question sets are too broad (or advanced) for my students. Plus, even though I have directed them where to go next on Khan academy, students often jump to things like one step addition and subtraction just to gain points. I have been using ThatQuiz.org lately too. I really love all of the options that I can pick AND that I can create my own quizzes! I have been using this for extra practice, and to see how my students are doing on their basic skills. My big problem here is just finding the time to create more assessments.
Our 9th grade is piloting an iPad program this year. I have an iPad, but I can’t say I love it. Google Documents are almost impossible to use on an iPad. I also can’t edit my wiki pages either. I’ve heard there is a way around this, and I tried but didn’t find it. Since GDocs and wiki’s are 90% of what I do for my classes, my iPad hasn’t been of much use to me this year. It’s just a big old iPhone that isn’t even a phone! So, I’m very excited to hear if there is something actually useful for that big old waste of money, and not just “cool” because it is an iPad. If you don’t feel like writing a blog (or don’t write a blog), you can leave me a comment to tell me why you love iPad’s for your math classroom, OR even to help you out in your classroom if your students don’t have them. But, we only have one iPad (mine) right now, so as much as I love Apple and my Mac, I’m just not on board with iPads for students right now. The benefits would have to be very high to outweigh the costs, especially since all of our students have laptops. So, what I am also wondering is, given the choice, would you rather your students have laptops or iPads?
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This week was fabulous for me! I enjoyed reading middle school math blogs so much that I read them ALL. I wasn’t able to comment on them all because I often read them on my iPhone and it’s hard for me to type comments on that little thing. PLUS, I can almost never prove that I am not a robot. HEY BLOGSPOT – I AM NOT A ROBOT! lol!
The best thing about this week was reading posts from the Middle School Math Blogs page that are not “popping up” in my Google Reader. Why are they not popping up? Because some of the blogs that I read haven’t posted since the summer (or even the spring). I know how hectic teaching is (especially when you try to combine it with family life), but all of these blogs were fabulous and I am hopeful that these bloggers start posting again – even if it is only one great idea a month! I love new ideas!
Some of my favorite things I read about this week are buzzers (which I have been eying since the spring but have not pulled the trigger), and the reminder about ThatQuiz.org. I have used it before, but forgotten about it. It will be great for integers and I even may try to incorporate it into standards based grading. Wouldn’t it be great even if SOME of the reassessments were electronic? I know there will be some significant front end work here, but anything is better than grading papers – anything!! I also loved the Stand Up, Sit Down warm up activity that helps review fractions, decimals, percents. You could use this just for fractions, then decimals when you get there, then add on percents. Brilliant! And, speaking of SBG, Fawn blows me away as usual with her printed SBG labels. What an amazing time saver!
THANK YOU for reading and commenting on other blog posts as well! There is nothing more important in our community than supporting each other. In so many posts I read, bloggers mention other blogs that have helped them. Everyone is so thankful for our “gift” community of freely sharing our resources. It makes us all better teachers!
If you want to write about your favorites, please do and then submit your post here so I can include you below! Also, if you have given “props” to another teachers blog on your blog recently, please submit that as well. We all love to be recognized for taking the time to blog and sharing our “blood, sweat and tears” resources. Click here to submit your MS Sunday Funday post!
NEXT WEEK we will blog about iPad apps and other technology sites that we use in our middle school mathematics classrooms. Please join us! 🙂
So it seems that only dear Beth had a Math Club post for us this week. Thank you Beth! And now I do feel a little better (or worse?) that I am not the only one out there that is not sponsoring a math club.
Beth, Math Club Memories
This week’s theme is Sub Plans. Next week, the theme will be “Math Club”.
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I’m not going to lie. I DON’T HAVE SUB PLANS! This is not good because I’m going to miss 3 days in October / November for school trips and the NCAIS conference (I’m presenting, yeah!).
I do have a substitute binder with overall instructions, my class lists, and two manilla folders with my seating charts in them. But right now, that is about it!
I usually have my students work on their math wiki pages or chose topics that they need help on from the Concept Help Pages. There, they can watch videos, do extra example problems, and even play math games! However, even though it is FIXED now, our internet has been iffy this year, so I would love to have a paper and pencil back up plan. My students LOVE those coordinate graph sheets that make a picture when you are done, but I can’t find any good ones. I am thinking of assigning them the task of creating their own coordinate graph picture (for their friend to solve). Has anyone done this?
My director suggested that I let my students play my math center games when I am absent. That is a fabulous idea and it IS my goal, but I don’t have enough games – and it is not yet organized in a way that students can just go and pick out a game. Also, I need an in-class “trial run” once everything is all organized and labeled so that I can help students pick out games (and put them back), the first time. I don’t want them picking games that are too difficult for them and causing stress for the sub. I can’t wait to have this in place for my students, but it is not going to happen by October 18th!
I am excited to read about other middle school teachers sub plans – so please post today and help me out. 🙂
This week’s theme is Favorite Ways to Practice. Next week, the theme will be “Sub Plans”.
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This week’s theme is Favorite Math Class Games. Next week, the theme will be “Organizational Tips and Tricks”. Also, be sure to tune into the Global Math Department this Tuesday, September 11th at 9pm, to see several teachers (including me) present their favorite math review games live!
Read the High School Sunday Funday Posts!
This week’s theme is Homework Policy. Next week, the theme will be “Favorite Math Class Games”.
Read the High School Sunday Funday Posts!
I Speak Math 