Some things I've tried, some things I would like to try, and some things I am currently working on in my math classroom
During a late spring snow day last year, I read the book, "The Snowflake: Winter's Secret Beauty" by Kenneth Libbrecht. It had been on my bookshelf for years, patiently waiting for me to make time to read it. As I read, I was awestruck by how much we know -- and do not yet know... Continue Reading →
Students interact with and play in a world of three dimensional objects that are depicted on a two-dimensional screen. However, when these same students enter a geometry class, many have difficulty interpreting two-dimensional drawings as three dimensional shapes. In particular, drawing features such as hidden lines throw them for a loop. To address this, I... Continue Reading →
Last year, I got a 3D printer for Christmas. My two kids found a vase on Thingiverse and printed it. After looking at the vase, I told them that I could create a similar vase using math. That started a journey that turned my house -- and classroom -- into a vase-making center for months.... Continue Reading →
Perhaps you have seen the diamond paper graphical organizer. Teachers can pose a problem or question inside the diamond and ask students to justify or explain their work in different ways in the four rectangles. Here's a version that I created for my Honors Pre-Calculus class: I learned about "diamond paper" from Jo Boaler --... Continue Reading →
For the last five years, I have integrated 3D printing into my classes as part of student learning. When I started, I only 3D printed with my Honors Geometry classes. But in recent years, I've expanded 3D printing to my Honors Pre-Calculus classes. (I teach honors classes, but I would do the same projects in... Continue Reading →
As promised, here's a recap of what worked and what I would change with the history of math card activity The whole activity (including discussion) took about 30 minutes. We could have spent more time discussing the events, but we had a shortened bell schedule that day. What Worked I was impressed by the conversations... Continue Reading →
This year, I decided to decorate my classroom/office with hanging 3D printed "flowers" that are made from graphs of polar equations. I am also excited to do this activity with my Pre-Calculus students when we get to polar equations in February (see my post-project update below, a few paragraphs down). For now, I made my... Continue Reading →
It's close to start of another school year, and I find myself thinking about what I should focus upon during the first few weeks of school this year. I always spend time discussing mindset and the "Power of YET" with my students. I love to show the Week of Inspirational Math videos and run a... Continue Reading →
Making in Math 