Details of My Instructional TOOLS
First of all, What are ...
Click on one to find out more. These are the primary tools I use in my math classroom and below is how I use them. Ways I've IMPLEMENTED THE TOOLS |
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1) Assign Introductory Videos and Khan Mastery Exercises before coming to class.
For homework each night before utilizing or exploring new skills and topics, I assign students a video to watch and a khan academy exercise to attempt to master. Naturally, not all students can master the skill before coming to class to get help, but in order to get credit they must initially attempt and eventually master the khan exercises before the unit is over. Sometimes in the absence of khan exercises, I ask students to write a half page summary of the video they watched and include an example problem. For the small number of students who do not have internet access, I still assign them basic problems on paper with examples and explanations to prepare them. ALL students, regardless of access, are required to master the selected Khan exercises before the units over. I give all students some time during class on a particular day or so, as review time, with a device to master the exercises.
2) Spend Class Time Doing a 3 Act Math Problem, Project, or Concept Development.
Class periods are primarily used to work on application and conceptual understanding through collaboration, making the classroom experience more interactive. Each class I have either a 3 Act Math Problem to explore as a group, a project for students to work on, or a concept development lesson to discuss and deepen our understanding of the material. I usually take only 10 - 15 mins to discuss questions dealing with the skills introduced in the homework the night before. We spend the rest of the time diving into applications like 3 Act Math, projects, or concept development lessons.
For each 3 Act Math lesson I have created the following steps.
For an example of a 3 Act Math lesson watch at the video clip at the top of this page.
For each 3 Act Math lesson I have created the following steps.
- Show ACT 1 and ask students "What questions come to your mind?"
- Ask them to estimate the answer, poll the class, and set error bounds together. "What is too much, too little?"
- Have them discuss a plan to solve the problem including what information they'll need
- Ask them what information they need in order to solve the problem, and give them the required information from ACT 2
- Have them solve the problem and write a conclusion, including sources of error
- Show them the answer in ACT 3 and discuss why solutions were correct or incorrect.
For an example of a 3 Act Math lesson watch at the video clip at the top of this page.
3) Use Nearpod to promote the ideas of ALL students and collaborate as a class.
The Nearpod app allows you to play and view Nearpod presentations, created at Nearpod.com. I have made each of the steps of the 3 Act Math lessons available to students to share via nearpod. They send in their questions, guesses, plans, required information, and solutions all via the app. I can then share the work I like or want to point out to the rest of the class to drive the discussion. It is also in the Nearpod presentation where I share with them the Act 1 Video, Act 2 information and Act 3 solution. This allows ALL students to have their thoughts and work shown to the teacher, and if relevant shown to the class for discussion. To see how to use my Nearpod Presentations view this page that gives you step by step instructions of how I use Nearpod.
Feel free to Contact Me with questions in regards to implementation of these ideas.
Feel free to Contact Me with questions in regards to implementation of these ideas.