Back in 2005, I spoke at the Asilomar meeting of the California Math Council. In that session (cheerfully titled "Nothing Works",) I presented a great many ideas about every aspect of the art of teaching math (slides | outline | article). Among those ideas:Make mathematical mistakes on purpose or otherwise, and model a positive response… Continue reading Growth Mindset for Teachers?
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Animated Demonstrations
New on my Web site:→ Animated slides on the Lab Gear model for signed number arithmetic.Note that for each operation, the model is based on what students already know. For addition, you put down the first number, then the second number, and finally count. For subtraction, you put down the first number, take away the… Continue reading Animated Demonstrations
Glide Reflections and Symmetry
Glide Reflections and Congruence
Coding for All?
Some time ago, I argued that computer programming is a literacy, because it enhances learning in other disciplines, especially math. It is not nearly as important as reading and writing, which apply to all subjects, or as math, which applies to all sciences. But given the place of the computer in modern life, and the… Continue reading Coding for All?
Summer Workshop Dates 2016
I'll be offering four workshops for math teachers this summer. At the Head-Royce School in Oakland, CA:June 27-30: Visual Algebra (grades 7-11)July 1: Seeking Depth in Algebra 2At the Principia School in Saint Louis, MO:July 25-27: Visual Algebra (grades 6-9)July 28-29: No Limits! (Algebra 2-Precalculus)The grades 6-9 version of Visual Algebra is a subset of… Continue reading Summer Workshop Dates 2016
Hints! The topic that will not die
In a post about hints, last June, I wrote: "Any time we can ask kids to make something instead of consuming something, we should jump on it." My point was that merely asking students "what do you notice?" is not likely to yield the desired insight, because what students notice is constrained by what they… Continue reading Hints! The topic that will not die
12th grade math options
I just posted Isometries of the Plane on my Web site. It is a transformational geometry unit aimed at high school teachers, and/or students in grades 11-12. It does go beyond the Common Core State Standards for Math (CCSSM), and thus might make sense as part of a precalculus course or a 12th grade elective.In… Continue reading 12th grade math options
Once again: heterogeneous classes
All classes are heterogeneous, some more than others. In other words, some of our students don't pick up new ideas as quickly as their peers. Can something be done about it?This is part of a multifaceted strategy to teach heterogeneous classes. Read about it in this article: Reaching the Full Range. The answer depends on… Continue reading Once again: heterogeneous classes
New Lab Gear Books
As I announced in the November issue of my newsletter, the new Lab Gear books are out, and can be ordered from Didax: Algebra Lab Gear: Basic Algebra, and Algebra Lab Gear: Algebra 1.The Lab Gear is a comprehensive manipulative environment I created for the teaching and learning of algebra. I devote a fair amount… Continue reading New Lab Gear Books
Henri's Math Education Blog 