IDK

IDK - that's the response I got today on my Parallelograms Pre-Assessment.

The students had to find slope of a line on a graph, slope of a line given two points, and then do the same using the distance formula.  They also were asked to sketch a parallelogram on a coordinate axis and explain why the shape was a parallelogram.

IDK - that was the answer I got the most on the pre-assessment.

That's not what bothers me or even caused me to write this blog post . . . IT ENDED THERE!

There were no "freak out sessions" or "how do I do this?" or "show me how to do #2!".

Did I miss something?  Where's the intrinsic motivation?  These students are "ahead" of their peers . . . ?

So, I worked with one student who actually knew how to complete the problems (referencing the pythagorean theorem!) and another student asked for help with her polyhedron project.

Yet once again . . . it is me who is stressed and frustrated with the progress of the students.  The students are just hunky dorie!

Let me think about what to do . . . IDK!

First Quarter Review - One Week Left

First off . . . the Android Acer has changed the whole dynamics of my classroom.  I have gone nearly paperless for close to two weeks now!!  And I love it.  The students are doing really well with the new software programs and the numerous steps that are being thrown at them.

This coming week is the final week of the quarter so . . .

Algebra - end of quarter assessment!  Here's a link to the topics / practice problems:  click here
This quarter has been about developing student confidence in their ability, creating trust between students and between students and I, as we move onto the second quarter and more difficult material.

Geometry - my focus in here has really been on the use of projects to fill in the gaps for the students.  Battering students with notes & worksheets becomes tedious and I really question how much the students are learning in this type of set up.  So, students are creating and creating and creating some more.  I will share a picture of my Honors Geometry Amalgamation projects when I get a chance.  They are awesome and we made a "visual quilt" out of them!!

Next quarter tech goals:  student google sites!  use progressbook with students!  use socrative on the Acer!  continue to create a better google class site!

Check out my class site if you get a chance . . . I would love feedback as right now all I am doing if throwing stuff on it, but am looking for a better more fluid way to present material.

tinyurl.com/flippingmathboyle

Week 4 Reflection - Let's talk SALSA!

Algebra - man oh man the range of abilities in my Algebra classes!  And that's in terms of effort, motivation, comprehension, so on and so on.

So, here's what I tried and it worked out really well - Tiered Tasks.  Tiered tasks is the idea of working on the same topic but setting up activities which work at varying levels.  I called it . . . SALSA!

Unit Focus - Solving Equations
Problem Set A - mild salsa (one step equations / two step equations)
Problem Set B - spicy salsa (two step equations / distributive property / combining like terms)
Problem Set C - inferno (solving equations of all sorts, sizes, and shapes).

This set up was awesome as I went around as the "waiter" and got the students' order - if the problem set they chose was too easy, then I gave them the next one up . . . and it could work the other way, but students didn't take this option = motivation/increased effort when stuck.  Win win!

Then to top it off, I gave the students "desert" - a quick summary question/worksheet to tie it all together.

The students joked that I didn't give them an "appetizer" so will need to work on an opener next time.

Today I had students asking to do the A,B,C activity again.  That's what I'm talking about.

I need to come up with some more variety in terms of set up, but the premise of having tiered tasks is something that I think will be a consistent in my lessons.

Might use it for this week's assessment coming up.

Next topic ahead - inequalities.

Geometry

Focus this past week was on midpoint, angle bisectors, segment addition, angle addition.  Lots of algebra here . . . amazing how they freak out about solving for x!

Still don't feel like I have gotten into a groove yet with the classes, but they have some awesome personalities and effort/creativity has been great.  Check out some of the avatars they created.

Avatars - Honors Geometry

Once we get our tablets, google acounts, etc. . . . it's on!  I can't wait.  Neither can the students.

Busy weekend ahead . . . soccer games for the kids Saturday and working at the Bengals on Sunday.  If we can't beat the Browns, then it's gonna be a long year.

Geometry "Badge of Honor"

"Badge of Honor" - google drawing (simplistic rendition) - I hope to include some pictures as the year goes along of actual student created badges.

The "Badge of Honor" is a way for my students to have ownership of their learning, along with getting some positive feedback along the way.  The "Badge of Honor" goes along with my idea of Geometry Ranks.

Students will have Missions to complete.  As the students complete a mission, then I will give them a new rank and badge.  Each badge will be placed on the "Badge of Honor" as a representation of the student's achievement.

This is the first time I have tried this and hope that it goes well.  I love giving students the opportunity to tap into their creative side and so I can see this changing and morphing as the year goes on . . . but the basic premise will still remain the same.

*note:  Student is given Rank:  Private by being enrolled in my class.  There is no insignia in the Marines for the rank of Private.

Mission #1

• Basic Constructions with compass/ruler (in future this will be using GeoGebra but due to technology issues this year we'll go with old school) = copy segment, angle bisector, copy angle, perpendicular bisector, parallel lines, equilateral triangle, square, & hexagon inscribed in a circle.
• Avatar - students will create their avatar for the course - this will be affixed to the student's "Badge of Honor".
• "Badge of Honor" - students will create the "Badge of Honor"
• Line Design - first project of the year - will be affixed to the "Badge of Honor"
• Google site (not sure on this one due to technology hiccups - *fingers crossed*) - students will use a template to create their student site for my Geometry class.

Completion of Mission #1will earn the student the Rank:

Private First Class

Insignia the students will receive & place on their "Badge of Honor":

 

Week 1 Reflection

Week 1 Reflection:

Overall - a great group of students with lots of energy, good senses of humor, and a lot of the same strengths/weaknesses of classes I've taught previously.  I really need to look at how I want to differentiate the students, the activities, assessments, etc.

Cons:  Technology is slow at this time - missing some connectors for my whiteboard and students do not have the Android Acer Tablet as of yet.  It surprised me this week how much not having access to my interactive whiteboard threw me off.  It allows so much flexibility and adaptability on the fly during class.

Geometry / Honors Geometry - focused on isometric drawings / basic constructions (daisy designs, angle bisectors / perpendicular bisectors).  I so want to rock geogebra with these students but will have to wait on that once the tech stuff is worked out.

Algebra - mixed it up throughout the week - focused on algebraic translation, evaluating expressions, calculator basics, and a handful of various activities to see student personalities, effort, motivation, understanding, etc. - there are definite, noticeable levels in these classes - some very strong, and some not so strong students.

Things to think about for next week - pre assessing / creating parallel tasks / creating "I can statements" = SBG grade set up.

GeoGebra - first weeks of Geometries!

First couple week goals for Geometry classes:

1.  Googlesite - eportfolio

2.  Mini-Lego Avatar

3.  GeoGebra (d'oh)

4.  itslearning - going to use this site for assignments (descriptions/how to videos) - will use GoogleSite for displaying student creations/journaling - should be a great way to follow student growth and understanding throughout the entire year.

I still need to set up the Geometry Military Ranks so students can follow their progress (training) and see how they stack up with their classmates.  May use their ranks as part of project during the semester.

Does anyone use gaming or ongoing competition in their classroom?  If so, how do you set it up and run it?  Please share!

Geometry Year Overview

Going to take the idea of gaming and introducing into my Geometry course this year.  I find that each year I do less teaching and more scenario/situation type work.  For instance, instead of taking the students through an activity where they draw a triangle, measure the 3 angles, then add the 3 angles . . . now I will just have them show me that that the triangle sum is 180 degrees using at least 2 different methods (i.e. GeoGebra, paper/pencil/protractor, etc.).

Also, I am going to create Geometry Ranks (taken from the USMC - United States Marine Corps).  As a student makes his/her way through each section they will earn a part of their badge - the bade will be displayed in the classroom and the student will be able to decorate this as they receive badges.  Also, I hope to post the badges (i.e. leaderboard) online - not sure how yet.  So looking for ideas!

Also, each student is going to create an Lego Avatar for the year . . . may change it to fit the seasons but have heard how this helps with some students being a little less apprehensive about doing things and also taps into the creativity group that we all have in our classes.  I can't wait to see this.

Planning on using journaling this year as well so will be using google docs Google Student site quite a bit . . . hopefully daily  .

Here's a quick glance at my Geometry Ranks (not sure how to differentiate Honors Geometry in terms of rank other than the expectations are higher; I may look at using a different rank system but think that'll be confusing and a royal pain for me).

The underlined sections are breaks for the unit - so #1-3 are a Unit focusing on technology, geogebra, and constructions.

Geometry Ranks

1. Private - Avatar creation / Googlesite set up
2. Private First Class - GeoGebra Essentials
3. Lance Corporal - Construction Zone A
4. Corporal - Geometry Definitions
5. Sergeant - Congruency
6. Staff Sergeant - Transformations
7. Geometry Sergeant - Proof
8. Master Sergeant - Triangle Property Proofs
9. First Sergeant - Parallelogram Property Proofs
10. Master Geometry Sergeant - Construction (Inscribed / Circumscribed)
11. Sergeant Major - Dilations
12. Sergeant Major of the Geometry Corp - Triangle Similarity
13. Warrant Officer 1 - Indirect Measure
14. Chief Warrant Officer 2 - Project
15. Chief Warrant Officer 3 - Coordinate Geometry
16. Chief Warrant Officer 4 - Slope
17. Chief Warrant Officer 5 - Midpoint
18. Second Lieutenant - Distance
19. First Lieutenant - Circle Characteristic / Properties
20. Captain - Circle Equation / Parabolas
21. Major -  Volume
22. Lieutenant Colonel - Trigonometry
23. Colonel - Pythagorean Theorem
24. Brigadier Colonel - Final Project A
25. Major General - Final Project B
26. General - Final Project C

Next step is to create a grading/scoring rubric for the different ranks - as we all know, just because I am now a Lance Corporal doesn't necessarily mean I'm an expert at GeoGebra but I did complete the required steps. So, I need to create some levels - looking at using stars or some type of rewards (i.e. purple hearts) - need to research this idea.

Also, I am looking at having students build their Geometry backpack through the completion of extra work - origami activities, exeter problems, Algebra reviews, and so on. I am looking for android apps to use for this.

I wanted to get an overall feel as to what to cover and where before I created my online learning environment. Now I will need to look at Algebra from the big picture as well.

Geometry Unit 1

Starting to turn my attention to Geometry a little now . . . specifically Unit 1 Definitions/Rigid Motions.

Here's a quick glance of the topics I plan to cover:

1-1 Definitions

• points, lines, planes
• segments, rays
• angles
• angle pairs
• triangle types
• parallel lines/perpendicular lines (including proofs)

1-2 Congruency

• triangle congruence / proof
• CPCTC

1-3  Transformations

• translations, reflections, rotations, glide reflections
• coordinate rules

Trying to figure out how to set up #flipclass style for these . . . I feel like the definitions are better set up for in class projects/assignments / congruency is a hands on inductive/deductive experience / transformations is so much of a "just do it and observe" topic - I am going to need to set up a solid set of "workouts" for this unit for sure.

Not sure how to incorporate video with this . . . will have to be creative.

Unit 0: Intro & Construction "Construction Zone" Geo

Turned my attention last night to Geometry (Honors Geometry) and my Google Class site. Right now, the Intro unit is the same for both Honors and Regular Geometry - this is a great gauge to see how actually "honors" my Honors students will be - expectation = they work quicker and more successfully through this unit . . . we will see.

Unit 0 - Below are the Common Core State Standards for the Unit.

G.CO.12 Make formal geometric constructions with a variety of tools and methods (compass and straightedge, string, reflective devices, paper folding, dynamic geometric software, etc.).

• Copying a segment;
• Copying an angle;
• Bisecting a segment;
• Bisecting an angle;
• Constructing perpendicular lines, including the perpendicular bisector of a line segment;
• Constructing a line parallel to a given line through a point not on the line.

"G.CO.13 Construct an 

• Equilateral triangle
• Square
• Regular hexagon inscribed in a circle.

My focus for this Unit is getting the students accustomed to using GeoGebra.  Big picture:  I hope and plan to use GeoGebra a lot during this school year.

I am still working on the idea of having GeoGebra on the Acer tablet and hopefully by summer's end I am successful.  If not, looks like I'll be using laptops at school which is okay, but hurts my students ability to work ahead and control their own progress.

I have created a GeoGebra Essentials Series which is made up of 9 lessons.  Each one is an introduction to the buttons, action keys, and all the other ins and outs of the program.  I must give mass props to www.mathandmultimedia.com who put all the lessons on his website - I modified the lessons to fit my needs but a lot of the underlying information is his.  If you want to find out information on GeoGebra and more technology options for the classroom, then visit mathandmultimedia.com.

Future goals for Geometry/Honor Geometry:

• The students will create a e-portfolio (google site - need to create the template)
• post each units "challenge"
• i.e.  equilateral triangle construction
• i.e.  square construction
• Create "Challenge" list for this unit and subsequent units.
• Create "assignments" for Geometry(Honors) on itslearning.