Snowy Slope Practice

I am always looking for new ways to engage, especially if it's cheesy. And if you are too, here is an activity for you! A comprehensive slope review with a snowy cheesy twist, solve the riddle!

Students will solve the problems then look around the room/hall for the answer (I print on bright colored half sheets). They will then fill out the riddle on the back based on the word under the answer.

There is also an individual activity with all the wall sheets on one page as below:

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 KG Blank Space 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

Sorting Hat Slope-Intercept

Annnnnnddddd... of course I could not just use something I already had right? Annnnnnddddd... of course I had to theme it with our Homecoming Week dress up day....

This is handwritten and eventually I will try and get it typed up but wanted to share in case you were wanting a unique practice opportunity to convert to slope-intercept from different forms. I was trying to create a review for a major grade we were starting the next day.

Since Hogwarts has 4 houses, of course, I had to make 4 versions (hence the handwritten versions... for now).

Even students who do not know Harry Potter, enjoyed the activity as I explained a little about the process and each house. It was really cute seeing all their reactions to what house they got in.

They only end up doing 6 problems so it can be quick but some rich review problems. I mix them up as I pass out so do not know who gets which destiny. For my online classes, I assigned all 4 versions separately to particular groups.

I will reupload when I get them typed up but I hope you enjoy finding your wizarding destiny!

Get all 4 mazes here for FREE!

As always, please let me know if you find any mistakes so I may correct as I am creating the typed versions.

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

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

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

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

Build Me a Castle Review

How do you get your classes to finish 1,217 problems in 2 days? Give them a cup after each one!! Build me a Castle Review, SUCCESS! Crazy busy but so worth it!

A while back I saw a post online that someone did a review where after each problem, they received a cup to stack.  So simple and sooooooo engaging... so I thought!  Not so simple really.  It was fast.  It was furious.  It was rigorous.

Of course we couldn't just stack cups right?  We needed a theme!  The student above, Anosha and I came up with Build Me A Castle!  We ordered tiaras and even dressed princess themed the first day.  I didn't get a picture because we were going crazy.  This is not a review for the weak.

First, I laminated and used a bunch of task cards I had.  I even made one for standard to slope-intercept form.  Most of mine came from Algebra Accents on Teachers Pay Teachers.  I purchased her whole curriculum several years ago and it has been one of my best investments ever!  The ones I used will be listed below if you are interested.

Really, any matching game can be used.  I'll include my slope matching game that you could just use the graphs for.

To say the students loved it would be an understatement. They did not stop. We did it for 2 solid days and they answered non-stop. I threw out easy and hard. Order of ops to exponential functions. It was a great spiral for the semester exam as I did it just before the end of the year.

I gave each student a wipe board to show their answer on. Each day I had about 5 task card stacks. Each group got one from each stack to start regardless of how many group members they had. It is easiest for you if each card stack is a different color. As each student solved, they came up to the teacher to check answers. If correct, they took a cup and a different problem. If wrong, you could have them correct of offer instruction.

I was surprised that as fast as it was moving, we were able to differentiate pretty good and make sure students were doing a variety of problems. At the end of the day, we took a cup count and let them start with that the next day. Another option is castle height or design.

The above were our winning group with 120 cups. I had them compete within the class then across my classes. Either way, they loved it and every group was able to spiral review.

It was a great activity I will use several times each year. I think my favorite thing was a way to use all those task cards again!!! I needed about 300 cups as an FYI.

Get a couple of my task cards for FREE here.  I will add any other task cards I create in the same folder so you can check back throughout the school year.  The ones I included right now are:

Slope Matching Activity with these graph cards:

Standard to Slope-Intercept Form

The Algebra Accents ones I used and were worth every penny (I think most are $3) were:

Translating Verbal Equations Notes and Task Cards

Exponential Growth and Decay Word Problem Task Cards

Solving One Step Equation Task Cards

Finding the Slope of a Line from Graphs Task Cards

Solving Two Step Equation Task Cards

Solving Multi Step Equation Task Cards

Enjoy!

Lisa

whY Bingo

So, for the first time in like 7 years, I thought about this bingo game I had put together years ago.  I searched the recesses of my hard drive to come across it thinking it would be great for STAAR Camp.  STAAR is our state standardized test.  As I reviewed it to share with the team, I was thinking.... 'why haven't i used this in forever?!!?!  What a great review and spiraling activity!!!!'  I think, too often, I get excited about something new and forget there are incredible things already here for my students.  I'm also easily excitable about new activities that I often get carried away!

Sometime, over 10 years ago, I came across this incredible Bingo template created by Steve Mashburn in 2001.  It is Ah-maz-ing!!  It creates 25 unique Bingo Cards.

Here is a selection of the cards.  His mastery at work!  I admire people so much that can use Excel to this masterful degree.

Here is his original template.  I've looked extensively for where his original is posted and cannot find it.  There are, however, about a billion teachers who have used, referenced, and published it.  There are quite a few who have provided versions of it for you to use so try googling!  One great site that made several versions you can download for free is I Want to Teach Forever.  You can access their materials here.

So, all those years ago, I created one for Equations (mostly linear).  The essence of my teaching high school math is my students knowing and using y=mx+b.  Surprisingly, there can never be too much practicing, too much reviewing, or too much mastery in this skill.  So that is how I came up with whY Bingo.  It's all about that y.  I used questions that we saw repeatedly on testing and highly missed ones.  This was before our testing and TEKS change so some questions have moved down to intermediate school but are still relevant and necessary fundamentals.  **If you are a intermediate school teacher, be sure and check vocabulary as I know slope and y-intercept are not used in your instruction.**

Below is a close up view of a couple of my student bingo cards:

I used a Power Point as my 'calling cards' instead of strips as these are items that needed to be seen by the students and not just heard.  And some were super long!  These were very basic and just on white slides.  These were my early days of Power Pointing so please forgive. Here are some selected power point slides:

You may download the Power Point here.  I also saved it in PDF here.

The power point says they may fill in a blank Bingo but I've learned this can take an extensive amount of time and that is why I love the template that pre-prints them all mixed up for them.  

Of course, me being me, I did a 30 question Power Point for a 25 question template so I actually have 2 sets of bingo cards getting the extra 5 questions on the spaces.  You can download them in Excel or PDF here.  I have a laminated set of both and just mix them up.  you could also print so the students could work or take notes (and you won't have pinto beans all over your floor ;-))

I think this is excellent review, especially for STAAR or end of the year standardized tests!  Plus they get to play a game.  And why haven't I used it in fever?!?!!?  Ugh!!!  Already done and ready,  so that would have saved me time and as a teacher, we have so much extra time we just need more things to fill that empty void.

Hope you enjoy and please feel free to share or let me know if you see any needed corrections!

Thanks,

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