Linear Graphing is Among Us!

This year has been crazy and I will not take the time here to discuss all the changes and challenges. I just wanted to let you all know why I have not posted earlier. The time to create has been non-existent, the motivation and creativity, zapped... but this week I feel like I've got a flow and as a result, did some creating!

Working on linear equations, I decided my tried and true Zombie themed assignment was just not what I wanted to do this year as I wanted fewer problems and I also like to use our standardized test coordinate planes.

A result of this is.... 

Among Us Impostor Search!

This is based on a new computer/app that students are playing. I learned this from my son who has informed me of all the ins and outs. Basically, everyone is a character and you are trying to seek out and identify the 'Impostors'.  

The equations are a variety of forms but it is editable!

A short but sweet post. Hope you enjoy! And please let me know if you find any mistakes or areas that need correction. If you would be a copy of the key, please contact me from your school email at camfan54@att.net. I will only send keys to school teacher emails to help protect the integrity of the assignment. Thank you!

Get the resources for FREE here! 

 

A student drew this on their WS 🥰

Enjoy,

Lisa

Pygmy Puff Project

For the past 2 years, I have done a Pumpkin Project for linear equations that is incredible! One of the most amazing resources I ever purchased was the Algebra 1 Curriculum from Algebra Accents on Teachers Pay Teachers!  She also sales a lot of very useful bundles and individual activities.  The Linear Equations 3D Pumpkin Garland is worth every single penny!  I highly recommend it!

As I planned this year, I realized the number of repeaters I have means I needed to do something different.  Always, and I mean ALWAYS inspired by Algebra Accents, I decided to create a project with similar construction but based on the needs of my students.

Something round-ish... something that could be done at any time... most importantly, something that I could use a lot of colors of paper on because we are out of orange!

And this year, I discovered the magic of Harry Potter!

And we have a Pygmy Puff Project!

I have included 4 different types of linear function graphing with 5 pages each. That is over 600 possible versions!

The types of equations include:
     -Slope-Intercept Form
     -Point-Slope Form
     -Standard Form
     -Graphing from a Point and a Slope

These are the ones that my students needed for their future math class so I designed it with input from my colleagues.  The Harry potter theme was all my nerdiness.

I put 2 problems on each page for 5 different pages you could use for each type of problem.  As always, ALL are EDITABLE! 

I also saved in PDF in case you like the font and cannot download. The font was called Harry P and is FREE on dafont.com! 

I've included a picture collage of the physical construction as well as the feet and face template. Get all my resources for Free here! 

I will add more pictures and reflection as my students complete it but wanted to share in case you could use it.  

As always, please let me know if you have any feedback!

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

How Do I Solve This? Problem Processing and Testing Strategies Activity

A couple of years ago, I noticed that a lot of times we gave practice problems but not necessarily word problems until the test.  I wanted to start helping with not only math but testing strategies to help prepare them for future classes.  

I also looked at frequently missed STAAR Questions (Texas Standardized Test) and wanted to help walk students through them.  I did a quick template of How Do I Solve This?  and applied it to a number of problems.  

The questions might need editing or a change of order from each problem.  These activities are to both help them get started and write about math!  I usually do some with them (especially the first few) and then assign some throughout the year.  I will do them with the unit they apply to and use them as spiraling.  

I have had some positive feedback from students and they definitely get quicker at them.  When I grade them, I usually put a check if they got it correct and wrote sufficient information and an X if they missed the problem.  They still received credit for trying.  My goal is the processing!!!!

Here is an example of a multi-step inequality problem.  

I always tell them as far as the writing goes, there is no write or wrong.  Often, throughout the day, different classes even have different responses.  It's all about processing the problems!  At least trying to get started!

Here are a couple others so you can get an idea of what I am trying to get them to express.

I have 20 done as of this writing and they are all available here for FREE!  These are great for exit tickets, warm-ups, assignments, and spiraling.  I have based these off released STAAR Tests from Texas Education Agency which you can access here for FREE.  These were all from the Algebra 1 tests.

If you ever have any questions about how I do one, please feel free to ask me!  I usually post most answers throughout the year on my Twitter and Instagram @cbhsrichmath as they are part of our notebook that I post almost daily.

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

Slope Graffiti

No holds barred!!  Fill the paper!! Tag it up!  It's Slope Graffiti!

I want you to tell me everything you can about the equation assigned.  Everything!  The more the better.  There is really no right or wrong here.  It is just about recalling and applying their knowledge. I first did this in a grant I attended several summers ago and have made it a regular assignment in my Algebra 1 and Math Models Classes. 

In Math Models (a post Algebra 1 class), I do this on the third day of school!  It takes a bit of effort and many students to have a difficult time writing down anything about math.  Many can say it and remember it but actually putting it down takes practice that I focus on throughout the year.  In Algebra 1, I assign this after all necessary teaching and practice have been done on slope-intercept form.

I have 2 versions.  The first have the equations in slope-intercept form.  The next time we do it, 2nd semester in Algebra, it is in standard form.  I provide a graph template for them as well so they do not have to draw a graph free hand.  I allow one full class period.

I have a PPT with 4 different slides of equations.  On each one, I did put the parent function.  I display this throughout the class period.  they do work in groups so I have very relevant math vocabulary as their Group Names.  

I have had some beautiful and excellent projects over the years but unfortunately lost them to the floods so I cannot show you.  One of the few things I did not photograph!!  Ugh!!!  Generally, later on in the year, there is a lot more 'writing' on the posters but my students did an excellent job this year for the third day of school.  

There were a lot of laughs, some struggles, but in the end they all remembered the critical basic information!  Below are some selected pictures from this year.

I have been working for 3 years now to have students write more about math so you can definitely see a progression throughout the year when I ask them to do these type activities.  I also have a notebook/journal warm-up that goes along with this concept:

They are just instructed to tell me anything they can about it!  I also have a bunch of one page different equations they could do.  I will include all of them in the link below.  The font used is KG Girls on Fire and can be downloaded here for FREE!  I just love fonts!!!

Get all my resources for Slope Graffiti here for FREE!!

Thank You and Enjoy! 
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

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