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8 things to consider as I start my new year.

My top 8 list for 2017-2018…

At the start of each year I try to set some goals (and reflect on things that worked well the previous years).  I thought I’d share them here.

Math class seating chart

  1. Code your seating chart.

    My laminated seating chart has all kind of information about each student – especially learning needs.  See this article for more about this.

  2. Try something new.

    This year I’m going to do a lot more with our new edulastic.com web service.  It’s going to allow us to quickly create small assessments (such as a 3 question exit ticket) to get better and instant feedback as to where the class is.  Try using desmos for graphing or perhaps socrative for getting quick feedback. Don’t simply do the same thing as last year – it’s an easy rut to fall into. Continue reading

September 8th, 2017 | Category: New Teacher Tips, Teaching Geometry, Teaching Algebra, Teaching Calculus, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

You CAN teach a new dog old tricks!

chloe

Even Chloe knows to go to infinitemathideas.com for Math help!

Welcome Chloe fans!  I want to throw Chloe a bone (literally) for providing the first external link to our Math blog! Although she has thousands of subscratchers and this blog only has 12 (counting my mother…), we feel it’s a fair exchange. Here is the email exchange that started Chloe’s love of math!  Chloe fans who have children in school may want to read this article.

So on the topics of old tricks for new dogs, I want to talk about a better (in my opinion) way to teach (and learn) logs (think really large sticks Chloe…).  Specifically converting to and from exponential forms.

 

Bacon and Eggs go Vegan.

Continue reading

November 13th, 2016 | Category: New Teacher Tips, Teaching Algebra | Leave a comment

Feedback is everything when teaching Math

In my 18 years of teaching, I often look back at how I taught then and how different a teacher I am now.  Getting better feedback from students has been the biggest game changer for me. One of the first things I warn new teachers that I mentor about it the trap of gauging feedback by watching nodding heads.  It’s very easy to say things like “does anyone have any questions?” and assume that silence and shaking heads means they got it.

In this article I’d like to share some very concrete practices (above and beyond the traditional) that were game changers for me.  I’d love to hear more ideas from other teachers. Continue reading

October 30th, 2016 | Category: New Teacher Tips, Teaching Geometry, Teaching Algebra | Leave a comment

Using your Seating Chart as a GPS for teaching Math

 

Math class seating chart

Math class seating chart with markups about each student.

One of the first tips I give new teachers I mentor is to create a seating chart for all of your classes.  The next tip is to get new ink for your printer because you’ll be printing new versions often!  On day 1 of classes, my students walk in and the seating chart is on the Smartboard with their names on a desk.  Here is what I use my seating chart for:

  1. To learn student names quickly.
  2. To know at a glance who has a low average (so I can call on them or visit their desks more often).
  3. To be able to identify relevant special learning accommodations such as who struggles with attention disorders or who needs written instruction over verbal.

Here is a (fictitious) sample of one of my seating charts.  I slip it into a plastic protective cover and carry it around with me during class.  Note I do not actually write the key I included here (it is in my head). Here is how organize my codes: Continue reading

October 4th, 2016 | Category: New Teacher Tips, Teaching Geometry, Teaching Algebra, Teaching Calculus | Leave a comment