Hocus Pocus Math Havoc!

Ok, I have been very remiss in my blog posting so please excuse any grammar or just plain tired mistakes! The big thing is getting the fun stuff out there for you to use so here I am. I hope you can have some fun with these!

The Sanderson Sisters are at it again! Running Amuck, Amuck, Amuck and creating havoc looking for BOOOOOK!!!

Last year, we were a little excited about the new Hocus Pocus movie and as a result, I created Hocus Pocus Focused Fridays! The students really seemed to embrace the theme and as a result, several activities were born.

I created these Math Lib activities for both solving multi-step equations and finding slope from 2-points, both very important building blocks in high school math. 

I used the same story for both as I created it for 2 different classes (my Seniors wanted in on the action!). 

So I present to you Equations (pictured below) and Slope from 2-points 'Hocus Pocus Havoc'!!

Students will walk around the room/hall and look for the answers to each problem. They will then write that word in the blank 'Math Lib' to complete the story. Each one is used only once and there are distractors.

Below is the absent student activity that has all the wall sheets on one page. You will receive both versions in Word and Pdf.

As always, these are fully editable so you can use it for any concept or change it for specific needs.

And, I love fonts! I provide both Word and PDF but if you need to change and don't want to mess with formatting, I use the font Barnie Kids which you can get for FREE on dafont.com here!

Get ALL my resources for FREE here!

I included both versions of the activity for whole class and individual student.

As always, please let me know if you see any errors that need correcting!

Enjoy!

Lisa

Achoo... the Tissue Box Project!

Last year, a colleague shared a project she did at the beginning of the year using a tissue box and covering some basic math functions. I decided to turn it in to a cumulative project of basic algebraic functions and a little math trivia.

It includes a linear function, quadratic function and exponential function. I developed coordinate grids for each problem set so the students could see and compare the graph behavior.

I created 22 problem sets and will share them all with you (see the link below). 

After the initial instruction, I discovered that they really benefitted from a template so that they had all the information ready to design their box. I added this to the back of the rubric.

Many students cut the tables out to use on their box so you might want some extras!

Here is my sample:

Here are a couple of videos of the process with the students:

For virtual students, I adapted the project to a presentation. I allowed students to use Graphfree.com to create the graphs. I love Graphfree.com here is a short video on how the students can use it for the project or for you to check it out!

I had some wonderful submissions as well! And even used a student one for a sample (mine is the minimum though- his was way better). I'll include it in my resources. 

You could, of course, make them all a presentation but this year has been very sparse on hands on and they really need it sometimes. I wish you could see the painstaking way they spend so much time gluing their beads or chenille sticks on. It is magical. It does take it's toll on the teacher. Lot's of sanitizing and cleaning but the creative outlet for my students is worth every wipe and bend to pick up.

Lastly, let's talk fonts! I have a problem, I'm a font girl. I will redo entire activities with a different font that I like better! As a result, most things I create have different fonts. For this one, I used KG Payphone which you can get for free here on Dafont.com. I have provided both PDF and Word Documents so you might want to download if you don't want to mess with formatting!

Get all my project resources for FREE here!

As always, please let me know if you see any typos or mistakes! 

Enjoy!

Lisa

Robotic Binomials

I needed a little extra practice on multiplying binomials so I decided to do some more STEM integration. I've been surprised by how many students seem to enjoy the creativity coloring aspect so like to give them a chance to 'brain break' with the work.

Thinking back on my Emoji Math one (you may read about it and/or get it here), I asked the students what they would like to color. The definitive answer was something different! Enter, Walter! Walter is my Space Center Houston USB Hub Buddy that regularly sits atop my desk and helps encourage me. I received him while attending SEEC, the Space Exploration Educators Conference. It is incredible and if you ever get the chance, GO! I cannot speak enough about what an incredible experience it is. People come from around the WORLD!

Sorry, back to the topic at hand, h👀ere is Walter Algebr-ing and downloading...

So I'm looking for a robot outline to use for the activity when Walter pipes up with his hand in the air... So I made him in a word document. He's very excited to make it onto an activity!

Look at the Joy!

So the activity, students will multiply the binomials, match it to the answer below which tells them how to decorate that 'Walter'. There are 3 versions in the same document so all 12 answers/designs are used.

Easy way for them to have instant feedback and assessment. Plus, they get a little relief before factoring!  

Get my Walter Activity, Robotic Binomials HERE for FREE!
The font I used for the title and directions is KG Payphone and you may download it free here at dafont.com. I have also saved it in Word and PDF for you.

For answer keys, please email camfan54@att.net from an official teacher school or professional account that I can verify. I have had a number of students and generic email accounts request keys. I don't want to ruin the integrity of an assignment for any of you. Thank you and hope you understand.

Enjoy!
Lisa

What's In Your Future?!?! Multiplying Binomials

Will you be a race car driver? Will you have 10 kids? Where will you live? All these can be answered with some multiplying binomials!!

So to expand upon my Clue Factoring Activity, I decided to do something different with multiplying binomials. Using the same concept, you will solve the problems to reveal your future! Kind of like the old MASH game.

 

The students were thoroughly enjoying it. They were completely engaged in the activity and groan grumbles and cheers went through the class as they revealed their destiny.

There are 3 versions with all the same problems, just the answers are mixed up. 

For answer keys, please email camfan54@att.net from an official teacher school or professional account that I can verify. I have had a number of students and generic email accounts request keys. I don't want to ruin the integrity of an assignment for any of you. Thank you and hope you understand.

To get my original Clue Factoring activity, click here.

To get this activity for FREE, click here! 
I have left it in both Word and PDF. The font used was KG Payphone which can be downloaded for FREE on dafont.com here!!


Enjoy discovering the secrets to your future!

Lisa

Sphero-ing Our Way Around the Coordinate Grid

If you have previously read my blog, you know I usually go overboard!  I usually end up creating something extravagant or if I get a new manipulative, I try to work it in everywhere.  This summer and school year, I was awarded several grants and as a result, I had to caution myself to not go so overboard that I overwhelmed myself and my class.  Enter this quick post about using Sphero to find slope!

 

The WS is somewhat simplistic and the robotics integration is really more engaging than intense but it was a different way to find slope form 2 points.  As many students as wanted to were able to drive a Sphero on the coordinate grid I taped onto the floor.  I would then tell them to name the coordinates from two Spheros to put on their WS.

I displayed the WS on the board so they could copy down if they were 'busy' driving.  After a few problems, I changed one axis too.  You might want to be cautious if you make negative points dominant for differentiation.

On a couple of problems, I also changed the scales and made each tick 2 or 1/2.  You could really do anything you wanted!   

This was just how we practiced slope from 2 points.  I also had problems on the back to write the equations but we had not reviewed that skill yet.... I had a lot of Professional Development this month!

While this was not an intense integration, it was effective and engaging which is always a desirable outcome!  

Get the WS here for FREE!  The font I used for the title was A Little Sunchine and you can download it here for FREE!

Enjoy!

Lisa

Earning the Grade for X and Y Intercepts

Several years ago I attended a session from a teacher in Clear Creek ISD named Ms. Brumbelow.  She presented an activity where the students went around the room to solve problems but each one had a point value that they earned.  The points were based on difficulty.

I liked the idea of differing points and the opportunity to complete what 'you want to do'.  Personalized, individual learning nicely wrapped up in a classroom activity.

First, I gave some basic intercepts notes.  My students have previously learned intercepts so no more than a review was necessary.  I used this foldable from Math by the Mountain on Teachers pay Teachers.

It was perfect.  I loved how concise it was yet covering everything necessary!  I'm a firm believer in using what I can find.  This foldable was well worth the money!

For the assignment we did the Around the Room/Pick Your Points Assignment.  I do not have a creative name for this so all suggestions are welcome! 

Students receive an answer sheet that is not numbered as I do not want them influenced in any way of what problems to pick.

I then have all the problems hanging around the room and in the hallway.  Students have complete freedom to answer whichever questions they want to get up to a hundred points.  i recommend they do extras in case they get one wrong.  Below is a selection of points included the hardest 30 point question!

In case you are curious, majority of these problems are taken from the released STAAR Tests (Texas Standardized Test).  

Get the entire activity for FREE here!  

I have it in both Word and PDF for you.  And of course... I do not just have generic fonts!  You can get the title font, KG Girl on Fire, for Free here at dafont.com.

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! 

Enjoy!
Lisa

Wheel of Equations Notes

I love gimmicks!  Interactive notebooks lend themselves to gimmicks and the Wheel of Equations are perfect!  This is a short post sharing my favorite note delivery template!

Yes, I hum as I rotate the wheel to the next problem.  And yes, I purposely chose problems far from each other on the wheel so the Wheel of Fortune theme could be fully completed in my glorious nerdy humming display.

I got this from a grant I participated in a few summers ago from Jennifer Clayton and Valerie Blackburn.  It was probably my favorite takeaway!  It also allowed for more problems on my one-page notes too so... extra practice!!

I first gave a top sheet of the 3 Questions and then had them connect the wheel directly to ther notebook.  This was to conserve paper.

I discovered that students are not very versed in brads/brass fasteners so I started doing it whole page which made it easier to use in the notebook.

The wheel perfectly fits in the blank space and the page perfectly fits in a spiral notebook!

I have them put the brad right through the middle!  These notes are always a hit and the students periodically play with the wheel.  It's also easy to refer back to these notes because they are so unique!

They, of course, could be adapted to any note or activity!

Get all the templates here for FREE!!

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! 

Enjoy!  And I'd love to hear feedback or any other things you create with it!

Lisa

Headbands Are All the 'Math' Rage!

Where do I start with this little piece of genius I was taught a few summers back?!?!  There are no words for the educational value of these 6 strips of paper.  

Way back in the summer of 2016, my life was forever changed when I joined a grant through Texas Regional Collaboratives.  UTMB in Galveston had a Grant taught by Valerie Blackburn and Jennifer Clayton.  

So of course, I needed to create one for my class.  This little gem was shared and it has snowballed on our campus!  Yes, almost all levels of core math use it now. 

The first one was a little more intense than I realized and lasted way longer than I planned BUT the results were well worth it!  We spent 30 minutes in my Algebra 1 class doing the slope from tables one.  I was able to get a lot of formative assessment and in the end ALL students completed and worked diligently on 6 critical problems. 

This resulted in one of my favorite teaching moments of all time... 

Student: 'What's the point of this?'

Me: **thinking quickly of a witty response** 'When you put it on your head, you are learning by osmosis."  **secretly hoping they buy this**

Students:  'Oh my gosh, we are learning about that now in biology!! Cool!!'

Me: **thinking score cross-curricular vocabulary.**

I sent it to my principal laughing at the cross-curricular tie and it ended up going all though the district.  I even had teachers telling me students were wearing it in the cafeteria.  Later that year one student pulled it out and put it on during a test and when I asked him why, he said it made him feel smarter.  #teachermoment

Now let me share how to create your very first headband!  Any 6 problems will work and it is basically like a scavenger/mouse hunt.  You place the answer to a different problem on the left of the headband and a problem in the middle.  They solve the problem and connect/match it to the answer on a different piece forming a complete headband!

What I made a mistake of and was a reason the first time took so long was that you want to make all pieces connected like above.  The first time I had each piece with a space between and those precision cutters took forever!

AND DO NOT make them in order either... or then you have to redo and mix them all up... I've already been there, done that!

Each student recieves one copy of the headband to cut and construct.  I have a cut one projected on the board to show expectations. Sometimes I'll work one but most of the time I just demonstrate my expectations about connecting.  They solve the problem and look for the answer on another piece them solve that problem until they are back to the first piece.  Instant assessment for them which are my favorite kind of activities. 

I also have all mine designed to fit on 1 page.  Just as an FYI... these are great for those dark colored papers you might have that you can't really use for a WS.

AND don't worry, I've got templates for you as well as ALL my headbands shared below!

Another tip is to have students tape or staple them together so they can put them on right away.  And they will likely need to overlap and measure as they go.  I make them show work on the bands and just cover the answer or arrow.  One kiddo ended up making a belt instead so they can be pretty big. 

Here is what a couple of completed ones look like...

To store them, I just added a headband envelope in our notebook.

I'm not really sure how to say that I love these things!  I love seeing seniors wear them and post on their social media.  I even offer some credit for wearing them outside my class.  Anything to have kids talk about math!  

Some get creative with their'Headbands' too...

Get all resources here for FREE!!!  

I have them both in Word and PDF as always!  If you want my font, Janda Curly Girl, it is downloadable for free here!  It's one of my favorites!!

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! 

Enjoy the rage!!
Lisa