Monday, August 12, 2013

Equation Turnover Activity




This activity is a variation of the Star Chain Activity I use.  It is a self checking activity but doesn't involve any cutting.

Step 1:  Start with this document





Step 2: Copy double sided on colored paper and laminate if you wish



Step 3:  Either independently or with a partner, students should place the cards on their desk with the answer side facing up.  They should begin with the start card, work the problem on a piece of paper.  When they determine the answer, they find that card and flip it over and work the new problem. If worked correctly, the last card will say Finish when they flip it over!


Friday, August 9, 2013

Why Didn't I Think of This

As part of our district's Teacher Leader Collaborative, I helped facilitate a workshop today on interactive notebooks.  I enjoyed working with teachers from all over our district from kindergarten to Precal as we explored how to engage students in writing and reflecting about the math they were learning in an interactive and engaging manner.

One of the teachers in the group I was working with was very experienced with interactive notebooks and she shared a great idea on how to place your grade level formula chart so that students have easy access to it no matter what page they are working on.  Here is the finished product. 
 
 Step 1:  Copy your state's formula chart one-sided.  I drew dashed lines where I want the students to trim.
 
 
 
 
Step 2:  Glue in right side like this.  Make sure you can read all the formulas
 
 
 
 
Step 3:  Glue in top like this
 


Step 4:  Fold top down and right side in


 
Step 5:  When students need formula chart, they can just open it up and it will be clearly visible no matter what page they are working on.