Dot Card & Good Group Work

Today's lesson was in three parts: 1) Dot Card, 2) Good Group Work, and 3) Fewest Squares.

Students were allowed to look at a card for 1 second, and were then asked how they saw the dots arranged to arrive at 6. Here are the results from three classes.

We then processed the objective of this activity.

Students discussed "Good Group Work" actions -- what it looks like -- what it sounds like to observers.  Students wrote these ideas in their MTN's. We also discussed what might detract good group work and how to solve those situations.

Finally, I described the expectation for tonight's homework . . . "Work  on Fewest Squares for at least 20 minutes.

Problem Solving & Math

We began our year with setting up our math composition books, which will be referred to as MTN's (Math Thinking Notebooks). Table of Contents (TOC) pages were set aside and labeled. Each day, I begin class with the date and title of the day's activity. Then, students were given Polya's Problem Solving Strategies that you can reference as a page tab near the top of this blog. Students were also given a list of possible plan ideas for math problem solving. Both sheets have been taped on the inside cover of their MTN's for easy reference. We spent a good deal of time processing how to use these strategies.

Then I introduced Week of Inspirational Math -- Year 2 from Dr. Jo Boaler of Stanford University. Over the next 5 days, students will be involved in problem solving situations in order for them to understand that math can be seen in many different and creative ways. Students who took part in these activities last year spoke highly of that time, and I also observed how students referred to these days as the basis for persevering some difficult problems during the entire school year. At the end of the five days, students will complete a survey and I will invite parents to complete the survey, if so desired.

Final Post

This will be the last post for this academic year. Students finished their pentagon folding directions and answering the questions.

I have enjoyed being the math teacher to Team Vista students. I know I learned much and all of the students have advanced their thinking in math. Have a safe and restful summer. I know I will be enjoying some off time with my two sons. Good luck at the high school!

Paper Folding -- Regular Pentagon

Partner groups were given a set of directions and needed to work together to construct a regular pentagon. There are 5 questions that must be answered about the constructed pentagon in class tomorrow.

HOMEWORK:   None for tonight.

Paper Folding -- Equilateral Triangle

Partner groups were given a set of directions and needed to work together to construct an equilateral triangle. There are 5 questions that must be answered about the constructed triangle.

HOMEWORK:  Complete Equilateral Triangle Folding Questions in your MTN.

Congruence

Homework review from last night:

Today's Notes:

HOMEWORK:   Complete Congruent papers in MTN for Monday, 6/6.

Triangle Theorems

Notes from today's class:

HOMEWORK:  Complete Triangle Theorem papers in MTN.

Angles with Transversals

After reviewing the homework assignment, we moved onto the next portion of angles.

Notes from today's class:

HOMEWORK:  None for tonight.

Angles -- Day 3

Notes from today's class:

HOMEWORK: Finish the second green worksheet in MTN for Tuesday.

Angle Relationships -- Day 2

We continued with Angle Relationships work in our MTN's. Condensed classes in order to allow for Rock Concert Assembly.

HOMEWORK: Green Sheet title “Practice” in MTN; do numbers 3 - 6.

Angle Relationships -- Day 1

Here are the solutions to yesterday's Mini-Eval #15:

Here are the beginning notes to our new unit: Triangle and Angle Theories:

HOMEWORK: None for tonight.

Mini-Evaluation #15

Mini-Evaluation #15 -- Solving for Area took place today.

The last sections that we will be investigating before the end of the year are: 1. triangle theory and 2. translations.

HOMEWORK:  None for tonight.

Practice Solving for Area

Notes from yesterday's and today's class:

HOMEWORK:  Mini-Evaluation #15 is Monday.

PAV - Final Day

Today is our final day working with perimeter, area, and volume formulas. Due to Science NECAP and 7th grade NWEA testing, we will not meet in core classes for tomorrow.

HOMEWORK: None for tonight.

PAV -- Day 4

Students continued working on their PAV formulas. Our goal is to finish by next Monday.

HOMEWORK: None --- Good luck to the participants heading to the Science Fair in Conway!

PAV -- Day 3

Students continued their work with solving formulas for perimeter, area and volume. Lots of interrupts with testing, testing make-ups and shortened class time, thus it is taking much longer than anticipated. Hoping to have all finished by Monday, 5/16.

PAV -- Day 2

Photos of today's work sessions:

HOMEWORK: Review formulas for familiarity.

PAV -- Day 1

Soooo -- today students began their work on using the formulas. Lots of clarifying questions -- thinking -- rethinking -- problem solving -- and working together.  Each day I will post work photos of the day.

HOMEWORK: Review formulas for familiarity in MTN.

Using Formulas -- PAV

This week, students will be working in partner groups to solve perimeter, area, surface area, and volumes for given objects. The parameters for the project were explained along with the choices partner groups have. Below is an example of a problem we completed together, along with some other problems that students will need to solve.

HOMEWORK: Review formulas for familiarity.