Ahoy Mateys!!! It's a Systems of Equations Treasure Hunt with an Escape Room Feel!

Well... Earlier in the month I posted about my beginnings of an Escape Room with an Escape Box!  Within that I  posted about the systems mapping activity that I used with it that was inspired by a Twitter Post by @AnkerMath.  Here I will post a detailed explanation with editable files for you to use with your school maps.

Thanks Ms. Anker!!!

I emailed and received a map of the school that we give our parents and guests so it a nice clean copy.

It was a PDF so I used the Snipping Tool on my computer.  This is the GREATEST COMPUTER TOOL EVER!  If you are not familiar with it, do a search on your windows computer and pin it to your desktop toolbar.  It's Icon looks like this:

I 'snipped' different parts of the map and made 7 different maps to place a coordinate plane over.  You could do just one map of the whole school but I wanted to make their points in general directions and I wanted them all different so they could not just copy.  I pasted the map in a word document.  **You want to layer it behind the text**

I also created a table to paste over it for the coordinate grid.  These files are in word and available here.  You will want to download the Austies Bost Envelopes Font here so that you do not have to change any formatting in word.  I included the PDF so you can see what mine looked like. They are both vertical and horizontal so you can make it fit you map as desired.  

Then I found locations I could use that were accessible but not easily seen from the long hallway... didn't want them just seeing it from afar.  I did two systems problems on each map.  I did them already in y=mx+b as well.  You can adjust difficulty and do standard form of course but I wanted all kids to be able to do it.  At first, I thought it would only be like a warm-up and then we'd do notes.  TIME ALERT:  I know everything always takes longer than planned but this took the WHOLE PERIOD!  Just an FYI.

Every X was the same color too and just showed the X.  But of course, they could just go to any X right?  No WAY~!!  So every X had the flip answer to make sure they found the correct one.

Once they found their X, they had to take pictures and post them on Twitter or Instagram tagging the class account.  I did not allow SnapChat.  They could do themselves or just the maps and spots.  This is all specific in their instructions.

I demonstrated my expectations after they all received their maps.  I made them complete their maps before they left my class.  

Here- I'd like to take a moment of this blog post to discuss the social media expectation.  The day before the treasure hunt I posted for the class that they needed a Twitter or Instagram to complete this activity.  This led to some of the best real life discussions I've ever had with students.  I explained our district mission statement and core values and felt that the social media fit right in with this.  We discussed the expectation of privacy and how their accounts could influence their futures so if they had something on there they didn't want me to see..... that was probably something they wouldn't want a potential employer to see.  It was very well discussed among my students throughout the day.  WOW!  I'll leave it there.  

Here are some of their posts:

It was great!  After this, they them came back to me and received a hint card with a numeral that was part of a 3 number combination bike lock like below.  I got these at Dollar Tree.  

The 7th team received a hint card that told them what place a number was in.  I adjusted how I gave out the cards accordingly for how many groups I sent out.  They were weaved through my previously posted 'Escape Box' Treasure Chest.  The green baskets were also purchased at Dollar Tree and the zip ties from the 99 cent Only store which is NOT $.99 ONLY anymore I might add! 

The back of the chest is connected with zip ties so they HAD to undo both bike locks to flip it open. (Lesson previously learned!)

Once inside, they had a code to find out the final treasure lock.  I put it under the tool box (student suggestion) so they could not slip it out of the green treasure box.  Both the box and lock were purchased at Dollar Tree.  I laminated the combination sheet so they could write on it with expo markers and folded it in half.

Inside the treasure box I put candy and school stuff like post-its, pencils and pens.  The kids liked even the school supplies!  

This entire class was working the locks!

It was exhausting but great!  The kids actually thanked me!!  Thanked me for a learning experience!!  Several questioned the time I put into it (as if they had an appreciation of that!!! How often does something like that happen?!?!).  That makes every minute and dollar worth it.  Everyone seemed to be working hard and it accommodated all levels.  I did this after we did notes over graphing and an assignment.

In summary:  I LOVED the results.  The kids loved the results.  The kids did work.  The kids had an experience.  And the biggest take-away....

If you loosen your corset too much.... it doesn't hold stuff right!  

Thank you,

Lisa

Show Your Math SpiRiT!!

Because it's THAT time of year....that time where as a singleton teacher, you are trying to avoid writing your Semester Final... yeah, it's that time.  So while I should be toiling away on my very FIRST Math Models Semester Final ever, I am, in actuality, creating a pennants template of course!

Let's back-up a bit (because, of course, this will help with my task avoidance) and go back to that beloved day before Thanksgiving Break.  That wonderful and 'highly productive' day before our blessed nine day break.  That day which our school does not only does as a Pep Rally Schedule where we have shortened periods but ALSO does Mix-It-Up Day where all kinds of zany things happen at lunch.  Always such a peaceful and productive day!

I needed SOMETHING for my kiddos to do!   I needed something fun but educational as many needed to finish their major take-home project.  Then an epiphany!!! Actually a moment while rummaging through all those pre-copied things I had that I didn't get to in the unit so can I use them ah-ha moment!  

I had copied (and cut) all these pennants from an old activity! Instant lesson! Check Teachers Pay Teachers for a plethora of prepared ones! 

I needed to take up some time and also replace my fabulous Turkeys and Pumpkins hanging in the hallway.  Us math folks at Clear Brook can't handle a plain hall... testing week, when it all has to come down, is miserable and dull.  

I had each kiddo take one of each 'kind' of problem.  The activity has twenty different questions 4 to a page with 4 different forms on each page.  I did hand check all problems before they hung them on the yarn I had stretched along the back cabinets.  I cut it and hung it after each class.  I also quickly learned they NEEDED some color so had the rest of the classes decorate theirs.  My kids loved it!  

Then after all the excitement of a successful day... then comes the I know it's going to be time-consuming panic that- they asked to do it again..... Ugh but also a Heck YEAH!!   So I start looking around and then proceed to spend all my money on Christmas Presents!  Ugh.  EVERY. SINGLE PENNY.  

So... here I am, an hour later, still creating this blog after spending the better part of the afternoon making a Pennant Template I can use.  It is a deal more time consuming that the quick (and much preferred) purchase on my favorite teacher resource, Teachers-Pay-Teachers.  

I know that it is not as cute or styled as the available ones are and they are much simpler than those already available but I couldn't help sharing for those of you needing something to create your own Spirit in the Math Classroom!  Or those that are in my same shameful Black Friday Shopping but can't wait for Christmas Predicament!  

You can get my few pennant resources here.  I am also a font junkie so you can download my absolutely favorite font, Janda Curly Girl here for free.  This will allow you to edit the word documents without having to make adjustments for my font formats.  I also included the PDF of an already done Standard to Slope-Intercept Pennant Activity. I am a firm believer in they can NEVER practice this skill too much or enough.  

Here is a new pennant I created on 1-22-18.  It is for multiplying binomials.  I also did a new template with pictures and a little more decor.  Get all resources here for FREE.  I have them saved in both Word and PDF if you do not want to deal with font formatting. You will again need the Janda Curly Girl Font listed above as well as KG Payhone you can get for free here.

For any keys, please feel free to email me at camfan54@att.net from your school or professional account.  I've had students try and email for keys in the past but luckily their email said student! 

Thank you!

Lisa

Desk Hop or Scooting Linear Equations

So standardized math tests in Texas have become reading tests.  I love teaching math and I am comfortable with being the class they all hate and hearing whines of 'I hate math' ring through the room.  I think it's all part of being a high school math teacher and I fully embrace the attitude and let the kids know.  I tell them I understand their plight and their dismal attitude as they walk in my class.  I tell them it's ok to hate me but...

I'm going to teach you math.  I'm going to help you pass that test you need to graduate.  You can hate me but you are going to do it.

For years we have been teaching kids to solve problems.  Equations of all kinds and difficulties but then I slowly came to realize, that they are not just solving equations... they have to read a passage and interpret the information before they can solve.  For the past few years I've worked hard to have kids read and write more in math.

Problem solved right?

Not exactly, it's an ongoing work.  This year I have a different set of kids and see the same difficulties that I always have.  I can't just teach them to solve it.  I can't just focus on the test anymore because these kiddos need more.  They need a reason to solve it.  They need to know what it is.  They need to put the phones down and stop SnapChatting through my notes!!!!! ;-)

These kids are older and need to be able to use the math in the real world.

They need to be able to read and interpret math and use their language skills and math skills in tandem to make sense of it all.

So what does x equal?  More importantly, what does it mean? What exactly is the slope?  Why does this equation have a +3200 instead of a -3200?

Last year I received the Desk Hop/Scoot activity for linear functions created by a friend and mentor, Valerie Clem Blackburn.  This activity encompasses all the things needed to interpret, write and solve linear functions.  I think it is great as a major grade too and does take some time but is well worth it.  You may download it here.  The first 2 pages are the questions which you only need one copy of, the last 2 are the student WS and you will need one for each student front and back.

Print the problems one sided on colored card stock.  I then laminate and cut each problem separately.  I tape them to the corner of 20 desks or seating areas in the class.

The little orange squares are the Desk Hop Problems.

 

(The yellow ones are mini formula charts that are on there all year.)

They are small and this means kids will need to 'desk hop' or 'scoot' to each problem!  They can't just sit down and read from around the room or solve on the student worksheet.  Sometimes they even have to mingle with other classmates face-to-face with no puppy filters, flashing peace signs, flower crown filters or hashtags!!  Scary huh?

The students are given a student sheet and hop or scoot to each desk as needed.  When first given to me, we were given a set time for each problem of 2 minutes and the teacher or timer prompted us to hop/scoot.  With my kiddos, I discovered to let them move at their own pace but have an end of work time counter on the board to let them see how much time they had left.  I use the kooky classroom timers where we eagerly anticipate which dinosaur or robot will finish first!  I get them online here for FREE!  

I have done this with grades 9-12 and they all needed more than a 52 minute class period to finish.  I did some brief notes at the beginning which you can get here.  These notes were just for review and not initial instruction.

I love that it has them interpret the m and b in context of real scenarios instead of just tell me what it is.  This really challenges them and I feel it is tremendously helpful.  I love it so much that I did another version to use again which you will find here.  I know we still have quadratics and exponentials and radicals to trudge through but you always need practice on the basics!  

For any keys, please feel free to email me at camfan54@att.net from your school or professional account.  I've had students try and email for keys in the past but luckily their email said student! 

Thanks!

Lisa

Escape Room Math Edition the Beginning... Escape Box!

So I've been playing with the idea of doing an Escape Room in my math class for a while.  Just researching it is overwhelming!  There are so many things and I need to consider the objectives that make it viable in the high school math classroom.  Of course, the optimal material would be solving equations and we are far past that at this point.  I decided to start gathering the materials and slowly start working on the logististics.  First, I Googled and Pinterested.  Then I dollar stored!!

At Dollar Tree I found combination bike lock chains which I decided to put to use with something 'mathy'.  Then the problem came, where to start?!?!?  I don't even know what an Escape Room is!  Ugh... maybe I should have thought this out a little more... but no, not me...it's full steam ahead!  I decided to incorporate an 'Escape Box' into my class first.  I used some of the supplies above and mysteriously Tweeted this:

https://twitter.com/CBHSRichMath/status/929793441864863745

Well.... that's it right?!?!  I kind of put the horse out in front of this race while I'm still hanging on the barn fence trying to figure out how to ride.  I decided to work it in to an already planned activity after Thanksgiving Break.  So I came in to class Monday morning and placed this at the front of the room.  2nd period.....

'What's that for?'
'What's in that?'
'Is it Star Wars?'
'Is it stickers?'

To which I replied, 'you will have to wait and find out'.  So now, I've got their attention, time to figure out how to ride the horse!

I saw from Sarah Carter's Monday Must Reads post about a mapping activity from Mrs. Anker last week and I had already developed it for my class for post break!

Here is mine!  I took 7 different versions of the school map and they will need to map the two systems of linear equations on each map and find the 'Spots' in the school.  I've included my assignment here. You will need the Austie Bost Envelope font which you can download for free here if you don't want to change the fonts around to print.  Just change my pictures for your school maps and adjust the points.

So how is this leading to the Escape Room?  Well, at the end of the treasure hunt they need a treasure box right?  And now I know how to use the teaser 'Escape Box'!  There are 7 maps, as each group/pair comes back, they will receive a scratch off with Lock A or B and a number in the combination.  There are 2 3-digit bike locks, so what does map 7 get?  They will get a scratch off telling them the first number of the combination for one lock.  Not super tricky or 'escapy' but I thought a nice intro to the concept.  I also decided to introduce some codes in as after all the excitement of getting everything set up and worked out, I remembered there was a combination lock on the box inside.  I so often get ahead of myself that it no longer phases me having to rethink or redo things several times!  

I decided to use the Mason cipher I found on the following blog post: https://birthdayblueprint.blogspot.com/2011/05/spy-party.html?spref=tw.  She even provides you with the font to download.  After their test this week, I am giving them all a quick puzzle with no guidance to see if they can figure out the code.  They say things like 'We are Clear Brook!' or 'Mrs. R rocks math!'  I did them all in lower case font as it is just for interpretation of the symbols and I did not want anything too discouraging.  I also made them all different as I want them to think about it and not just copy.  I had to figure it out too as I had no idea!

I felt this was a nice comfortable way to work in the beginnings of an Escape Room as I feel it will take some time to develop the whole thing out.  I'll let you know how it goes!

I have a few things ready and all the boxes prepped (way more work than I thought too) to start developing more intensive 'escapes'.

I put smaller boxes in the locked baskets so they had to open all the locks before getting the items from inside.

Probably the most challenging was finding a cipher wheel I wanted to use and could figure out ;-)

I got the ones above for free from Dabbles and Babbles and The Teacher Wife.  I even put them together to form an adapted one.

Thanks!

Lisa

Turkeys and/or Peacocks in High School?!?!?

I love crafting!! And as a result, my students get to too!  I had some interactions with kids earlier this semester where they expressed the idea that my activities are elementary or 'lame'.  I told them 'No problem, you can do the plain white not plain worksheet!' To which, I might add, they did not choose :-)   I think it is often overlooked that our older and more mature students have creative sides that we can foster and often have pleasant or even surprising results from.

A lot of times in high school, we feel so rushed that we often don't have time for elaborate activities.  Honestly, the worksheet had a lot more problems than the 'Turkey' activity but the work produced on the turkey was incredible!  How often do your students finish 9 problems of hard work?  Even students that often do not participate in class got in to making the turkeys.

I loved how they expressed their creative sides while finding domain and range.  I was surprised how hard they worked on completing the questions.

I gave notes that I've adapted from Sarah Carter at https://mathequalslove.blogspot.com/search?q=domain+and+range.

I've attached my resources here.  First off, these are math models students so this was not initial instruction just for reference.  I've also included a Peacock Template in case you want to do this later in the year or for review.  I actually had developed this for a different lesson before realizing that we would not get to it before break!  #teacherproblems

I had each group or pair pick up a pair of feathers from each of the 4 colors.  Each page has two problems paired together so you may cut in half.  I did not want them all doing the same problems.  They then solved their set.  In the folder, I have included a blank answer key for you to fill out as you prefer for notation and it makes it quicker when monitoring.  Also, for differentiation, you could make sure certain pairs or students receive the same set.

Of course, I also wanted one of those pesky discrete domain and range word problems so I did that on the background!  I did take 2 days to complete this activity because I wanted them to have plenty of time.

Overall, this was so successful that Geometry decided to use it for some triangle theorem. I'm very proud of the work done and finished as were the kids.  Some even took theirs home to put on the fridge!

Mrs. Richardson's Adventures in Math Class Beginnings

For the first time in 10 years, I am only teaching one prep!  When I began this year, I learned that I would not be teaching Algebra for the first time in 10 years... and not only that, I had a completely new class that I had never taught before and only barely glanced at the curriculum for!  The classes I had taught in the past were being handed on to new teachers and I was being given all sections of Math Models?!?!  I was intimidated to say the least!  To change was overwhelming but only one prep was exciting.  As a result, I have had so much more time to create and explore lessons and activities that I'm excited to share with my students and you.

I have never blogged before about my teaching but last summer I presented for the first time at a conference as well as in front of teachers.  The feedback was very encouraging and in recent weeks, I have been sharing more via social media and decided I'd like to share if anyone is interested.  I've been putting activities on Teachers Pay Teachers for several years but have many activities that I'd be happy to share and decided this might be the correct forum!

Thanks for joining and I will be creating my first blog entry this afternoon!  Please be patient as I have no idea what I'm doing here and might have a few hiccups along the way.  Any help and/or feedback would be much appreciated!

Also, if you need any inspiration.... follow https://mathequalslove.blogspot.com/ as she is an amazing teacher and author.

Thanks!
Lisa