Dividing Fractions

We were lucky enough to snag the laptops today so we thought we should do some blogging!  We have been covering multiplying fractions for almost two weeks and our next topic is division so the students were in charge of finding out exactly how that is done.  We all had a good giggle when some found a dividing fraction song and Im sure it was stuck in many heads that afternoon!  Some students also found videos that were from the Khan Academy that went through each step for dividing fractions and many found that one to be quite helpful.  So tomorrow we will dive deeper into the world of division of fractions and continue to update you on our progress!

Multiplying Fractions

We have spent two weeks working on multiplying fractions.  We have reviewed terms such as: numerator, denominator, mixed numbers and improper fractions.  We have multiplied fractions by whole numbers and fractions by fractions.  We have modeled using rectangles, circles, number lines and counters.  Here is the beginning of our "How-to" project that the students are doing.  They are creating an instruction manual for others that can help them with multiplying fractions.  We wanted to use the computers to open up our presentation options but...alas...none availabe.  Next time!

Reflecting on Blogging Thus Far...

So as my course winds down and our computer time is non-existant until after the semester change I thought we could take the time to reflect on our blogging and computer experience in math.  From my perspective it was awesome to take time for the students to search and explore on our various topics.  It was difficult integrating it completely due to the ratio of computers to students in this school.  I would like to open up the use of the computers to allow students to demonstrate their understanding using the various tools shared with us by Alan Levine.  As a student, it was incredibly freeing and validating to be able to express myself in a way that felt true to me and I would love nothing more than to pass that feeling on to my own students.

Here are just a few of the reflections that we completed:
Krystel
Brittany
Nina

Exploring a New Topic

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bartmaguire/34324822/

Friday the students were asked to explore our next unit which is FRACTIONS!  In Math 7 they explored and worked with adding and subtracting fractions and in Math 8 we explore multiplying and dividing.  We first reviewed common fraction terms such as: improper fraction, mixed numbers, numerator, denominator, factors and multiples.  Then they were set free to find resources that supported all four operations with fractions.  Here are some of the websites that they found:

http://jamit.com.au/fraction-games.htm This site offers a variety of games that range from introductory fraction information to all four operations.

http://www.visualfractions.com/FindGrampy/findgrampy.html This site is hilarious!  There is are Grammy and Grampy characters that you must work with involving fractions.  You have to find Grampy and also feed him cookies!  It is also at an introductory level so it would be great to use at the end of the fraction unit in Math 7 or review for Math 8.

Here is TJ's blog and her in-depth explanation of our common math terminology.  She did an excellent job reviewing for us!

6 Word Stories

We were challenged to write a six-word story relating to math.  They were given the freedom to be open and honest and thoughtful when it came to summarizing their beliefs/ideas on math in to 6 words.  We brainstormed ideas together and then were given time to find an appropriate picture to go with their essay or create their essay based on a picture they found. 

For more examples, please check out my followers and their blogs!

Pythagorean Theorem: Student Work

Today we began creating Pythagorean Theorem posters to demonstrate our understanding of this ancient and often-used theorem.  It is, in fact, named after a Greek philosopher named Pythagorus.  Contrary to the belief of one my students, his last was not Theorem. :)   

After creating our informative posters we then took off around the school to see if we could spot real-life examples of right triangles.  Those right angles are everywhere and students were very creative coming up with ways to form a triangle from those right angles. 

Squares, Triangles and the old guy named Pythagoras!

Well, as the blogging journey continues we find ourselves working more and more efficiently.  We have (almost!) everybody remembering their passwords and using the correct log-in names.  We continue to construct the proper criteria for a helpful and educational blog.  We continue to have conversations about copyright and the use of other people's ideas and work on our own blogs.  In essence, we are continually building on both our math and technology learning simultaneously each week.  Both M.O and T.J had incredibly thoughtful and in-depth blog posts this week that offered some incredible websites on the Pythagorean Theorem and how/when/why it is used. 

 An informational website on the Pythagorean Theorem: http://www.mathsisfun.com/pythagoras.html - pythagorean theorem information
A Pythagorean Theorem game: http://www.math-play.com/Pythagorean-Theorem-Game.html - pythagorean theorem game

Our goal for November is photography and having students take pictures of real-life math and using those pictures on their blogs.  Perhaps we can create math-related 5-card Flickrs and use our creativity as well.  The connections are endless and I do want students to be able to grow and change just as the world around us continues to do.  I hope to nurture those wanderers (rhizomatic learning) within our walls and curricula and have us build our purpose together. 

The blogging continues!

Another Friday in the computer lab and another success - as far as this educator can tell!  This week the students' goal was the following:

1. Explain in your own words what a square number is.  Provide examples of a perfect square and its square root.
2. Find 3 helpful websites/videos that can provide additional information on squares and square roots.
3. Find at least 1 fun game/application that allows students to practice their squares and square roots.

Upon observing the students I saw many fully engaged in fun and curriculum-linked activities that had them deepening their understanding of squares and square roots.  Students that did not find themselves motivated with a pencil and paper now could not answer the questions fast enough.  A few of the ones that they enjoyed the most:
Squares/Square Root Tic Tac Toe : http://www.funbrain.com/cgi-bin/ttt.cgi
A teacher website with two possible games: http://missleemath.blogspot.com/2008/09/square-number-games.html
An information site: http://www.helpingwithmath.com/by_subject/algebra/alg_squares01.htm

These are just a few of the sites that they found - I will post them on my math resources page as well!

As I watched these Math 8 students work so hard on their blogs it made me appreciate the power of letting go of my own "teacher power" and giving ownership to each individual student.  For more information of the importance and logistics of student blogs, click here. 

A huge thank you to my Math 8's for working so hard at these blogs and showing me the importance of allowing them to lead.  They always exceed my already high expectations.

The fun begins!

Well we finally had our first day to actually create a post.  There were a few bugs to work out with certain accounts but overall I would call it an amazing success!  The students were asked to address three points on their very first post:

1. Explain the rules for multiplying and dividing integers in their own words.
2. Provide 3 examples of integers in real life and then find 3 corresponding websites that demonstrate those integers being used in a real life situation. 
3. Find informational websites/videos that may help a student who is struggling with integers or perhaps needs more variety in instruction and assessment.

Due to my lengthy explanation at the beginning some students were not able to accomplish all three tasks but next Friday we will continue our first post and some will be ready to move on the next one!  Next Friday it is also my hope that we are able to make sure that the students are all following eachother and myself.  By the end of the month we will have a network of students helping and supporting students.  These students will also be finding and assessing websites and providing the links that they believe could help others with the outcome we are working on.  These Grade 8's are busy!

Dr. Rick Shwier has worked extensively on the concept of online learning communities.  He is interested in the people that join them, contribute to them and continue to engage in them over time.  In our discussion in EC&I 831 we shared the need for trust and open-minds in order to participate in online learning communities.  I also believe that in any community, online or in-person, you have to be willing to give a part of yourself to have people invest in you and what you are saying and doing.  I will do my best to give my audience and students a part of me and I hope they, in return, feel the trust needed to share and engage.  This use of technology means that the students can help create the activities, lessons and examples along with me as opposed to me "dispensing" the information to them.  This truly can be transformative - if the right community develops. 

Always Impressed

I am so fortunate to have a colleague who graciously gave up one of his classes to guide myself and 8A through the process of getting our blogs up and running.  So, thank you to Mr. T! 

As I watched the class become aquainted with the blogs it impressed me how easily and seemlessly they worked with this new program.  None had ever blogged before, yet here there were changing templates, adding each other as followers, making pages and posts.  Some of them found it to be quite the novelty that Google had to text them with a security code to verify their accounts!  They are, without a doubt, digital natives.  They do not fear the unknown of a new technology or program, they have grown up in this technologically changing and advancing world. 

I hope that this blog allows us to both use technology in both transitional and transformative ways so that we can change the traditional mathematics classroom narrative.  Enjoy!

Welcome!

Welcome to our Math 8A blog.  It is my hope that we help each other to learn and grow.  Our classroom is and will continue to be an environment in which you will practice necessary mathematical skills and develop your deeper understanding of the mathematical concepts.  This course will not simply be given to you, it will be created with you.   With that being said, let's create!