Math Links for Week Ending April 20th, 2018

About a month ago, I recorded a session on the podcast 10 Minute Teacher with @coolcatteacher. It was fun. The resulting episode just got released this week. I talked about how I mainly use Twitter by focussing on hashtags vs following people. Specifically #mathchat, #MTBoS and #ITeachMath. I'm sure many teachers who read this blog are already aware of these but if you want a few more tips then maybe give a listen. And then listen to some of their other episodes. They put one out per weekday every week with a different theme every day. 

Curriculum Tags: All

http://www.coolcatteacher.com/e294/

We've had this new continuum kicking around for a while and we finally formalized the blogpost. We really like these as a way to have kids practice math skills. On this one, students practice their factoring of quadratic skills. They start at a card that matches their skill level and move from card to card (increasing in difficulty) as the continue to practice. Students really love this mode of practice and continually tell us so, yet, give them a worksheet and they run.
Curriculum Tags: MPM2D, MFM2P, MCR3U, MCF3M, MBF3C, MAP4C
http://engaging-math.blogspot.ca/2018/04/polynomial-factoring-continuum.html

We also released an experimental mashup of Desmos and Web Sketchpad. In this case, for proving congruent triangles. In it students record all of their thinking in Desmos and investigate the nature of congruency with the dynamic Web Sketch and going back and forth between the two.
Curriculum Tags; Gr7G
http://engaging-math.blogspot.ca/p/desmos-activities_10.html


If you like Estimation180.com then you will probably like this new set of slideshows from @SteveWybourney. It's a neat little way to have students practice their estimation skills in a very controlled way. Check out all of the slideshows (40 sets)  at the link below and when you get there, watch the video to get a better sense of how to use this.
Curriculum Tags: All
http://www.stevewyborney.com/?p=1483


In this new activity from Desmos, students investigate the nature of steepness and along the way give reasons why the coordinate grid is useful as well as possibly being a good starting point to talk about the concept of slope.
Curriculum Tags: MPM1D, MFM1P, MFM2P
https://teacher.desmos.com/activitybuilder/custom/56b8d8ec6fb01b1648653477

Do you want to teach your kids about using formulas and do it with some neat contexts? Then take a look at this article about being able to predict how fast you could run a marathon by only using two pieces of information and an equation.
Curriculum Tags: MPM1D, MFM1P
https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/tell-us-two-things-and-well-tell-you-how-fast-youd-run-a-marathon/

"It’s the things you do everyday that matter. Those are the things that will build the culture you are looking for. Routine and Consistency are what will drive change in your classroom and student learning." - That's the main message in the advice that @MrOrr_Geek is giving this week as he touts the benefits of consistency in the math classroom. Read on in the link below
Curriculum Tags: All
https://mrorr-isageek.com/why-consistency-is-more-important-than-intensity-culture-in-the-math-classroom/

In this writeup, @MathGarden compares what we should be doing in math class to Willie Wonka. But really, the thing that connected with me was the quote from Sir Ken Robinson - "Teaching is a creative profession, not a delivery mechanism"
Curriculum Tags: All
https://medium.com/@sunilsingh_42118/math-education-needs-willy-wonka-a89e77f2dc83

Though it used to be a staple of many classrooms (not just math), much of the research seems to suggest that memorization doesn't have a huge amount of effect on students. Check this article out to find out why?
Curriculum Tags: All
https://www.seattletimes.com/education-lab/guest-essay-when-will-we-stop-teaching-kids-to-memorize-math/

Seriously, how can you not love this activity for connecting quadratics with movement. Even if you don't have a full right up of the activity, you totally get the gist.
Curriculum Tags: MPM2D, MFM2P
https://twitter.com/aliceaspinall/status/985931839310352384

Marble paint paths in #2Pmath is my favourite activity in grade 10. Art mixed into math... #mtbos #iteachmath pic.twitter.com/2rNo73P8z2

— Alice Aspinall (@aliceaspinall) April 16, 2018

I happened to be watching Jeopardy the other night and what should appear but this question. Now you can tell kids why they have to do some of the crazy math stuff we make them do - just in case of Jeopardy.
Curriculum Tags: MCV4U

https://twitter.com/davidpetro314/status/986758404558307329

Last week I posted about some amazing @Desmos art. Here's some more. Check out his feed for all the Desmos goodness
Curriculum Tags: All
https://twitter.com/GHSMaths/status/984540628951490561

I'm Martin, from the UK, and I make mathematical art.

(mostly animations, almost always using @Desmos, and frequently inspired by the wonderful mathematical community on Twitter)#artvsartist pic.twitter.com/sONvQ75alf

— Martin Holtham (@GHSMaths) April 12, 2018

Math Links for Week Ending Apr. 13th, 2018

We've all see Desmos art before. They share loads of it on their website. But today I saw the craziest Desmos drawing today. Over 7000 lines of formulas by @SumDumThum needed to create this picture. When you open the link up, be patient. It takes the Internet a few minutes to catch up to all the code on this but it is pretty cool once it comes up.
Curriculum Tags: All
https://www.desmos.com/calculator/vn9imd74ne

I love when teachers use the long game. In this case @saravdwerf does it by hanging three balls from her ceiling at the beginning of the year that she wouldn't use until now. Some kids don't notice them others ask what they are for. She just says "you'll see". Then she uses them to connect to 3-D graphing and solving three variable systems of equations. That short description doesn't do it justice so look at the full post to get the 411.
Curriculum Tags: MCV4U
https://saravanderwerf.com/2018/04/08/why-i-hang-orange-plastic-golf-balls-from-the-ceiling-of-my-classroom-a-favorite-teaching-moment/




We put out a few Desmos activities this week. This one is a short intro to calculus topics like the connection of the slope of the secant to the slope of the tangent as well as the idea that if you zoom into a curve enough, you can approximate that curve with a straight line. It was based on some work originally done by @MathGeek76
Curriculum Tags: MCV4U
http://engaging-math.blogspot.ca/p/desmos-activities_10.html


The other ones are some EQAO practice activities for geometry I am trying out. The idea is that students can practice old EQAO geometry questions using the sketch feature and then measure their angles directly using the Desmos geometry.
Curriculum Tags: MPM1D, MFM1P
http://engaging-math.blogspot.ca/p/desmos-activities_10.html








We also put together a new dynamic web sketch this week on the beginnings of rotations. Here students can investigate rotation of a hexagon and irregular shape about their centres and off centre (in multiples of 90 degrees). Then they have two pages of challenges where there are randomly generated shapes where students get to try to work out the correct rotation. It was really meant for grade 6 students but could be used as review for grade 7 students.
Curriculum Tags: Gr7G
http://engaging-math.blogspot.ca/p/web-sketches.html

Doing tiling of the plane with your students? Then this cool Desmos sketch from @Von_oy is something you might want to try.
Curriculum Tags: Gr7G
https://twitter.com/von_Oy/status/983048095217930240

new and improved hexagon tiling on @Desmos (with rotating tiles!)https://t.co/afDr2bfheC#mtbos #iteachmath @madewithDesmos pic.twitter.com/LYWHF9LzGw

— Suzanne von Oy (@von_Oy) April 8, 2018

We've been using a lot of the Mathies.ca apps lately and they are continually improving them and adding features. This week the Colour Tiles app got the Save/Load feature. So now you can create some initial states that you can share with your students so that they don't have to start from scratch.

Curriculum Tags: All
http://mathclips.wikispaces.com/Colour+Tiles

It's conference season and @MrOrr_Geek has you covered with four tips to get the most out of your conference experience. My favourite is #4 - One New Thing. That is, take one thing that you learned at the conference and implement it when you get back. Don't sit on all that new knowledge, make it work for you. Read the rest of his tips at the link below.

Curriculum Tags: All

https://mrorr-isageek.com/how-to-get-the-most-out-of-the-conferences-you-attend/

We have added to our collection of videos on conceptually looking at operations with fractions. This long(ish) video goes through a progression that would help students develop the fraction division algorithm. This video is intended for teachers to see how that progression could go.
Curriculum Tags: Gr8NS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxZx54nfrWg

We also added to our activity on visual patterns by creating this video that shows how you might use the cards to develop a progression where students can get the equation of the algebraic expression for a linear pattern.
Curriculum Tags: Gr7PA, Gr8PA
http://engaging-math.blogspot.ca/2017/12/visual-pattern-cards.html

When you first look at this "math trick" posted by @DonFraser9, you might just dismiss it (especially if you don't care for math tricks). But there is a lot of good number sense and problem solving that you can have your kids go through to figure out why it works. My favourite way to use it would be to come up with the algebraic expression that models why it works.
Curriculum Tags: Gr7PA, Gr8PA, MPM1D, MFM1P
https://twitter.com/DonFraser9/status/984450688867446785

Worthwhile?? #MTBoS @Bedford_Mrs @MatthewOldridge @AllenMath @FSlimati @cherandpete @Mathgarden @MathletePearce @mraspinall @paul_math @fawnpnguyen @kspry @CathyMarksKrpan @CathyMarksKrpan @MathCoachCorner @davidpetro314 @MrOrr_geek @MrSoclassroom pic.twitter.com/REiVc2xlJh

— Don Fraser (@DonFraser9) April 12, 2018

When I first looked at this image from @MSBJacobs asking if these were similar, I thought, yes, but I was quickly reminded in the comments that only triangles are similar if all their angles are equal. It's a great exercise for student when exploring the concept of similarity.
Curriculum Tags: Gr7G
https://twitter.com/msbjacobs/status/984445127191035906

Are these trapezoids/trapesiums similar? #iteachmath pic.twitter.com/vKMxmbsqUy

— Michael Jacobs (@msbjacobs) April 12, 2018

Math Links for Week Ending Apr. 6th, 2018

In grade 7 in Ontario, students are required to physically construct parallel lines, perpendicular lines, perpendicular bisectors and angle bisectors. To do this, they would ideally only have a ruler and compass. In these four activities, students are walked through the steps to create these using Desmos and then given the same instructions to use via physical constructing. Note that, even though Desmos geometry has tools to create perpendicular and parallel lines we won't be using them in order to mimic what would be done in the real construction.
Curriculum Tags: Gr7
http://engaging-math.blogspot.ca/p/desmos-activities_10.html

This is a neat little progression to show students conceptually how to divide one by a unit fraction.  Whether you use this BrainingCamp app or the Mathies fraction app, this is a great for showing that dividing fractions doesn't have to be a mystery.
Curriculum Tags: Gr7
https://twitter.com/brainingcamp/status/978804950837923841

Our brains are wired to find patterns and rules. Provide opportunities for students to discover math themselves. pic.twitter.com/fdMUUdoPyM

— Brainingcamp (@brainingcamp) March 28, 2018

I like this post from @MissCalcul8 where she polls Twitter for ideas about special right triangles, she gets suggestions then creates an activity that summarizes the ideas she likes. Nicely done
Curriculum Tags: MCR3U, MCF3M
http://misscalculate.blogspot.ca/2018/04/special-right-triangles-investigation.html

In his latest post, @MrOrr_Geek reaches back to a book from 10 years ago from economist Richard Thayler called Nudge on how to have little changes have a great effect. He talks about connecting it to math class (or class in general). Take a look and listen to the podcast he mentions or this one from Freakonomics Radio

Curriculum Tags: All
https://mrorr-isageek.com/how-small-nudges-could-have-a-big-impact-on-math-education/

Some keen advice on how to incorporate calculator use in math classes. 

Curriculum Tags: All

https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/news/eef-blog-what-maths-teachers-need-to-know-about-pupils-using-calculators/

I thought this Tweet from @MarkChubb3 was a nice little tasty nugget of info that just about any teacher could learn from. 

Curriculum Tags: All

https://twitter.com/MarkChubb3/status/980985649384837121

If kids think math is about getting THE right answer, spend more time doing #WODB

If kids are quick to jump to rules & definitions, spend more time doing Always/Sometimes/Never

If you typically talk too much, start with a Notice Wonder first

......
#MathConceptions

— Mark Chubb (@MarkChubb3) April 3, 2018

So much math at many grade levels here. Get to it

Curriculum Tags:  All

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HViA6N3VeHw

Math Links for Week Ending Mar. 30th, 2018

So Equatio from @texthelp is a Google plugin that speeds the process of putting equations into Google apps. Now with Google Docs there is already an equation editor that is fairly easy to use but one of the nice things about this is the input choices, two of which are hand writing (great if you have a touchscreen Chromebook) or by voice. Though what you get is a non editable image, the thing that makes up for it is that with Google Forms you not only get equations that both you can use for creating questions but that students can use when they write their answers, not to mention that they can also add graphs (using the @Desmos API). Pretty cool. Thanks to @Esping_Math for pointing this one out.
Curriculum Tags: All
https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/equatio-math-made-digital/hjngolefdpdnooamgdldlkjgmdcmcjnc

I like this activity from @Mr_Stadel that has students first informally graphing linear relationships in contexts and then works it's way to describing them in words, with numbers and equations.
Curriculum Tags: Gr8, MPM1D, MFM1P
https://teacher.desmos.com/activitybuilder/custom/5aa4d254e072830479e2c81b



Are you looking for some resources on women in mathematics? Well @LetsPlayMath has you covered. This is a nice summary of the contributions of 15 women to mathematics. Nicely done.
Curriculum Tags: All
https://denisegaskins.com/2018/03/26/playful-math-carnival-115/

I just had some fun with @Geogebra's new AR app to view 3D shapes. Though I'm not sure where to use this in a K-12 class in Ontario, it sure is fun. It seems it only exists for iOS right now though.
Curriculum tags: All
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/geogebra-augmented-reality/id1276964610?mt=8

Even if you don't like their music you have appreciate all the effort OKGo puts into their videos. Now on this site they have turned some of these experiences into an educational sandbox. You get a small sense of it with this behind the scenes video but there is much more. Check the site out.
Curriculum Tags: All
https://okgosandbox.org/#intro

Sinusoidal waves are everywhere
Curriculum Tags: MCF3M, MCR3U
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bg-EYrWjsC_/

That time when your #drink is #sinusoidal

A post shared by David Petro (@lookimyourfather) on Mar 30, 2018 at 6:52pm PDT

These images from @AlexOverwijk really show that you don't need any fancy tech to get your kids engaged in math. Just ask questions in the right way.
Curriculum Tags: MPM2D, MBF3C, MCF3M, MCR3U
https://twitter.com/AlexOverwijk/status/979381349625815040

Literally #openmiddle question. y=x*2+__x+24 then y=x*2+__x-36.
Impressed with what I observed and heard from my #mbf3c S’s. Best moment “0h for this one the y intercept is the vertex!”

Pushed one group y=x*2+2x+___
S “Really Mr. O? This goes on forever”#iteachmath #mtbos pic.twitter.com/Uks8bL87Av

— Alex Overwijk (@AlexOverwijk) March 29, 2018

Math Links for Week Ending Mar. 23rd, 2018

Well it has taken weeks but my partner in crime (Gisele Jobin) and I have finally completed this video. We have talked about doing it for a while but it seems it has finally got done. We wanted to develop a progression of questions to develop the fraction multiplication algorithm. Of course we know that it's the kind of thing that is so easy to tell students then let them practice but like many other things that students are told, they mix them up with other things and rarely ever understand them in the first place. So this longish video is our way of encouraging you all to develop the algorithm instead of just giving it to them. We used the Mathies Fraction Strips app but any sets of fraction strips will do. Next up is the fraction division algorithm.
Curriculum Tags: Gr7, Gr8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlJ1ZyAbSm0

Here is a nice little short puzzle/sorting activity for types of polynomials from @mathequalslove. Students are given a deck of polynomial pieces and some cards with types of polynomials (eg Cubic Polynomial). And they have to place all the cards to create polynomials to match.
Curriculum Tags: MPM1D, MFM1P
https://mathequalslove.blogspot.ca/2018/03/building-polynomials-activity.html

I don't think we can have enough resources to help us understand students with learning disabilities. Here is a very comprehensive resource on ways we can support students with LDs. Thanks to @kmarkpet for this one
Curriculum Tags: All
https://www.ldatschool.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/2017-Math-LD-Waterfall-AODA_v005.pdf

I've had division of fractions a lot on my mind lately so I think this post from @MarkChubb3 about how context can make the difference in understanding. I really like the beginning with the conversation with his wife that really brings it to light.
Curriculum Tags: All
https://buildingmathematicians.wordpress.com/2018/03/20/the-importance-of-contexts-and-visuals/

Here is a nice article about reading novels in math class featuring @JoelBezaire and @SamJShah
Curriculum Tags: All
https://www.kqed.org/mindshift/50640/how-reading-novels-in-math-class-can-strengthen-student-engagement





An offshoot podcast from Planet Money is called The Indicator which is a short look at a number in the news. This episode was 1994 which is the year graphing calculators were allowed to be used on the SATs and one of the things the podcast talks about is why the price of the TI-84 has essentially stayed unchanged since it's inception.
Curriculum Tags: All 
https://www.npr.org/sections/money/2018/03/12/592962844/hurricane-joseph-the-calculator-that-time-forgot



On this episode of Note to Self they speak to @MonaChalabi who is the data editor for The Guardian who does some very cool stuff both in the publication and on her Instagram feed. She picks interesting data sets and creates interesting visualizations to represent them. Listening to a podcast doesn't do her work justice but listen at the link below and then and then check out her feed.
Curriculum Tags: MDM4U
https://www.wnycstudios.org/story/data-mona-chalabi/



This is not a new article and not new info but it's worth reminding ourselves that there is real research behind the idea that if students feel they have some choice, they will do better, especially in math. Thanks to @KMarkPet for this one
Curriculum Tags: All
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/freedom-learn/201004/kids-learn-math-easily-when-they-control-their-own-learning

@mathletepearce is hard at work with his new site Math is Visual and has added another video on multiplying integers. Watch the video but also follow the link to get the full annotations for the video
Curriculum Tags: Gr8, MPM1D, MFM1P
http://mathisvisual.com/visualizing-integer-multiplication/

Looking for an application of powers in real life? How about cryptography?
Curriculum Tags: Gr8, MPM1D
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mthPiiCS24A

What a great, simple and fun idea to connect similar triangles to real life
Curriculum Tags: MPM2D, MFM2P
https://twitter.com/MrOrr_geek/status/976111425037979649

Determine how far you should stand so that you see your partners eyes in the mirror! Boom! Super satisfying when the math “works”! #iteachmath pic.twitter.com/TlmCMGCC2Z

— Jon Orr (@MrOrr_geek) March 20, 2018

It turns out this professional golfer is a huge fan of math and physics to help his game
Curriculum Tags: All
https://twitter.com/davidpetro314/status/975507234246586375

My new favourite golfer @b_dechambeau uses #physics and #math to up his game. Check out his clubs reminding him of the work needed #mathchat #scichat pic.twitter.com/EwIWep8PrC

— David Petro (@davidpetro314) March 18, 2018

A fun way to have kids work with fractions
Curriculum Tags: Gr7, Gr8
https://twitter.com/mathemaniac/status/975629069147500544

Fractional Hopscotch

A variation on the game of hopscotch to demonstrate factions of equivalent value - via Giana Dominguez https://t.co/C90txugJtr pic.twitter.com/54kIIRkLMp

— Simon Pampena (@mathemaniac) March 19, 2018