From my file cabinet, four “mental algebra” exercises: I have no idea where I got those. It is my handwriting, but I’m pretty sure I did not make them up. My guess is that I attended a session at a conference where the speaker talked about chunking. Chunking is the practice of looking for expressions… Continue reading Chunking
Author: hpicciotto
Do It to Both!
From my file cabinet, a worksheet on using the distributive property in mental calculation, which I created when I taught K-5 in the 1970’s. This is one that has not lost its relevance, in spite of the advent of electronic calculators and computers. In general, we should spend less time on multi-digit pencil-paper algorithms. Students… Continue reading Do It to Both!
Building Block Numbers
From my file cabinet, this wordless worksheet. This is an activity I definitely got from one of Bob Wirtz’s books. It follows the one I shared a few days ago (Sum and Product.) The idea is that you are to cross the above lines with vertical lines to create some target number of intersections. You… Continue reading Building Block Numbers
Sum and Product
Another worksheet from my file cabinet. I don’t know what grade it was intended for, possibly second grade? It was probably inspired by Bob Wirtz. At any rate, it is in his style. I’m not sure what the main purpose of the activity was: practice with basic addition and multiplication facts? Introducing a visual representation… Continue reading Sum and Product
Powers of Two
From my file cabinet, a handwritten three-page exploration of the powers of two, probably intended for the fifth graders I taught in the 1970’s. It involved a fair amount of calculation, but it was calculation with a purpose! I will summarize the worksheet in this post. You can download the whole thing here. Page 1:… Continue reading Powers of Two
New Series: From my File Cabinet
Hi all, Given my advanced age and assorted medical issues, I’ve been thinking about decluttering. I have two file drawers full of curricular materials I developed before I started using computers to create and store them. While I often look at old materials on my computer, I pretty much never open these physical folders. I… Continue reading New Series: From my File Cabinet
The Lab Gear in Algebra 1
Carlos Cabana is a master teacher with a strong commitment to student engagement and a wide range of experience in East Bay secondary public schools. I’ve quoted him before on this blog: Technical Writing, Forward Design, Learning Tools. Last year, he mentored two student teachers. Today, he shares a conversation he had with them about… Continue reading The Lab Gear in Algebra 1
Makeover or Heart Transplant?
For several years, I was quite active on Twitter. What got me to stick with it (until its takeover) was that it was a good place to discuss math teaching with like-minded educators. In fact, it was a good place to meet such educators. Among them: Michael Pershan, Dan Finkel, John Golden... Not long ago,… Continue reading Makeover or Heart Transplant?
Teaching Math in the Age of AI
This is a guest post by Liz Caffrey, a former mentee and colleague, now a master middle school teacher near Boston. I’ll link to her previous blog contributions at the end. -- Henri Teaching Math in the age of AI by Liz Caffrey I have been teaching since 2000, when I began my career as… Continue reading Teaching Math in the Age of AI
Designing Great Lessons
Michael Pershan teaches math in elementary, middle, and high school. He is a bit of a celebrity in some online circles as a thoughtful writer about math education. He deserves his fame, because his writing includes both highly practical ideas based on his actual experience in the classroom, and interesting reflections, often including intelligent reviews… Continue reading Designing Great Lessons
