Some time ago, Mike Thayer posted a comparison of Algebra 1 and Geometry as they are experienced in the classroom. He concluded that since geometry is so much more real to students, and lends itself to interesting connections, perhaps it should be taught first.In response, I suggested that moving specific topics up and down the… Continue reading Intelligent sequencing vs. external mandates
Tag: Algebra
March 19 in Palo Alto
Once again, I will be presenting function diagrams to a math circle for teachers, this time for the American Institute of Mathematics Circle for Teachers. This will happen on March 19, at 340 Portage Ave. Palo Alto, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. There is no charge, and in fact a free dinner is provided. Here… Continue reading March 19 in Palo Alto
Algebra for all?
Mike:Before responding to your post let me go on with the train of thought I started last week in my post about All of high school math in one year?Teaching math to students who'd rather not be there is not anyone's idea of a good time. Can anything be done about that? One solution is… Continue reading Algebra for all?
All of high school math in one year?
In my previous post, I responded to Michael Thayer's comments about my Mathematics Overview. In this post I will respond to Mike's proposal for a one-year course to replace all of high school math.Mike and I largely agree about the failings and shortcomings of traditional curriculum and pedagogy, but I don't agree with his solution.… Continue reading All of high school math in one year?
More on the Mathematics Overview
In his Hyperbolic Guitars blog, Michael Thayer writes:I've been mulling over the one-year course idea some more. And what to my wondering eyes did appear (thank you, @tieandjeans) but this really spectacularly well-thought-out and well-organized course outline created by Henri Picciotto. It's got everything, really, that I'd love to see in the course I'd proposed, and it… Continue reading More on the Mathematics Overview
Linear Programming
Linear programming is not really programming. It is a method for minimizing or maximizing a linear function in two variables, when the values taken by the variables are enclosed in a polygon on the Cartesian plane. There is no shortage of good sources of problems of this type. I've been happy with the ones in… Continue reading Linear Programming
Mathematics Overview
I have written an outline of one possible version of the foundational topics of secondary school math, covering key concepts usually taught in grades 7 to 10. The idea was to write a one-year review course for seniors who have had trouble with math up to that point, but still intend to go to a… Continue reading Mathematics Overview
Function Diagram Slides
I posted slides from last Saturday's talk about function diagrams on my Web site. I don't imagine they'll be that useful, unless you want to use them in one of your presentations, but on the same page you can read the article the presentation was largely based on, and find links to many PDFs, animations,… Continue reading Function Diagram Slides
Bay Area Circle for Teachers
I will present an overview of the mathematics and pedagogy of function diagrams at the Winter Workshop of the Bay Area Circle for Teachers, on Saturday, January 26, in Jack London Square in Oakland, CA. Function diagrams are also known as the parallel axes representation, and a computer version is sometimes called "dynagraph". There's a… Continue reading Bay Area Circle for Teachers
New Lesson
I posted a new lesson on my Web site: Comparing Cell Phone Plans. I wrote the lesson as part of a project I worked on with Amanda Cangelosi, an ex-colleague and currently a prof at the University of Utah. We were auditioning for a new online math lessons Web site. We did not make the… Continue reading New Lesson
Henri's Math Education Blog 