Showing posts with label Mathemagic Mondays: Ideas & Freebies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mathemagic Mondays: Ideas & Freebies. Show all posts
Mathemagic Monday 3: Exponent Rules

Mathemagic Monday 3: Exponent Rules

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Today for Mathemagic Monday I would love to share some ideas for teaching exponent rules – both positive and negative.

 Today for Mathemagic Monday I would love to share some ideas for teaching exponent rules – both positive and negative.
Stop by to check out Mathemagic Monday #1: Angle Relationships
& Mathemagic Monday #2: Percent of Change.

1 – Build Meaning First
Starting by writing out the meaning of x3 as xxx can help students visualize what they are trying to accomplish.  I use the mantra “When in doubt, write it out!”  My introductory lesson can be found here.

2 – Use Relatable Terms
When introducing negative exponents, I use an anecdotal approach.  I describe the variables with negative exponents as “sad” and positive exponents as “happy.”  Relocating when sad, will make you happy!  (But make sure to leave the happy factors where they are!)

3 – Hands-On Practice
I firmly believe that hands-on practice is critical for students to cement concepts. They more they “do,” the more they will learn.I firmly believe that hands-on practice is critical for students to cement concepts.  They more they “do,” the more they will learn.  Here are a few activities to check out: FREE Negative Exponents Number Line Game, Matching Game and Card Sort, and Old Math Guy Card Game.

4 – Structure Can Help
There are so many different rules that it is important to have students organize them all in one place.  Discovery and practice are important, but make sure they have a reference sheet to study!

Join in the conversation!  What has working in your classroom?

Thanks for reading!


Mathemagic Monday is a series of blog posts by Free to Discover that highlights some tips and tricks for making math meaningful and fun for kids, focusing on those shortcuts and connections that give us the “aha” moment.
     


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Mathemagic Monday 2: Tax and Discount

Mathemagic Monday 2: Tax and Discount

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Here are some things to keep in mind when teaching tax and discount to your students:

One of the many reasons that I fell in love with teaching middle school math is that the material is super relevant.  Students are learning skills that will stick with them for years to come.  One of my favorite topics to teach is percent of change, specifically tax and discount.

This post is a continuation of the Mathemagic Mondays series (one day late).  A series of posts that shares shortcuts and hints that make math magical!
Click to catch up on the original post.

Here are some things to keep in mind when teaching tax and discount to your students:

1)      I begin with proportions since we review tax and discount right after proportion solving.  This helps students to see a meaningful connection to a recent skill.

2)    Compare and contrast strategies involving proportions and decimals.  Let students use a calculator.  Unless your students really need practice with decimals operations, they will be demonstrating their understanding if they can set up the problem, then use the calculator to help with arithmetic.

Compare and contrast strategies involving proportions and decimals. Let students use a calculator. Unless your students really need practice with decimals operations, they will be demonstrating their understanding if they can set up the problem, then use the calculator to help with arithmetic.

3)    Show the shortcuts and help them understand what they mean and why they work.  We spend several minutes practicing examples like:
“If you save 30%, you spend ___%.”
“If you pay 5% tax, you pay the bill plus the tax which will be ____%.”

4)    Continue to practice this skill throughout the year on Problem of the Days, exit tickets, and/or homework.  This is an important one to drill in, and practice makes permanent!

To help students build meaning, I use this discovery worksheet, which you can pick up for free in my store.
To help students build meaning, I use this discovery worksheet, which you can pick up for free in my store.



Of course, there’s more than just tax and discount when discussing percent of change.  This scavenger hunt is a teacher and student favorite!
Of course, there’s more than just tax and discount when discussing percent of change. This scavenger hunt is a teacher and student favorite!

Mathemagic Monday is a series of blog posts by Free to Discover that highlights some tips and tricks for making math meaningful and fun for kids, focusing on those shortcuts and connections that give us the “aha” moment.

     
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Mathemagic Monday #1: Complementary v. Supplementary

Mathemagic Monday #1: Complementary v. Supplementary

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Recently I was reviewing complementary versus supplementary with my eighth graders. Here are three tricks to help students recall the difference between the two:

I would like to begin a new series of blog posts that I will call Mathemagic Mondays.  When I reflect on why I have always loved mathematics, the first answer that always comes to mind is because it is fun.  Well, what makes it fun?

·      Making connections to real life
·      Learning through games
·      Establishing connections between ideas… the “aha” moments
·      Understanding shortcuts

My students who “don’t like math,” are usually the ones who don’t recognize patterns and shortcuts.  They know the steps (maybe), they follow them, but they don’t know why.  As teachers, sometimes we forget to share the shortcuts and tricks we know.  Or maybe sometimes we think they shouldn’t use them because it isn’t the “right” way or it might confuse students more.  Let's share the mathemagic!

In this series, I am going to share some of the tips and tricks I have successfully shared with my students.  I would love, love your input and ideas!  Email me at freetodiscoverthecc@gmail.com with your own tips and tricks and I will credit you in a blog post.

Also, be sure to subscribe to my blog via email so that you are notified about new posts.  J


Recently I was reviewing complementary versus supplementary with my eighth graders.  Here are three tricks to help students recall the difference between the two:
1)      Alphabetical/Numerical Order: C comes before S and 90 comes before 180 so complementary angles are 90 degrees and supplementary angles are 180 degrees.

2)    Visual Changes: C can easily be turned into a 9 for 90 and S can easily be turned into an 8 for 180.

3)    A Friendly Saying: “Complimenting someone is the RIGHT thing to do.”  Therefore, complementary angles are angles that together make 90 degrees.


Post your own strategies in the comment section below!

 Stop by my store and pick up this angles puzzle freebie!

Mathemagic Monday is a series of blog posts by Free to Discover that highlights some tips and tricks for making math meaningful and fun for kids, focusing on those shortcuts and connections that give us the “aha” moment.

     


Subscribe to the Free to Discover blog here:

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