I will be teaching two instances of my Visual Algebra workshop this summer: grades 7-11, June 27-30, in Oakland; and grades 6-9, July 25-27, in Saint Louis. (More info). This is probably the topic I have presented the most often in the last 25 years.To many students, not to mention teachers, parents, and administrators, algebra… Continue reading Visual Algebra
Tag: MySite
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
First Day of School
For most of you, school started recently, or will start soon. For me, this is the beginning of the third year of my retirement, and I'm starting to get used to the weirdness of my new life.It turns out that August is by far the most intense work month for me, because that's when I… Continue reading First Day of School
Integer Sequences
Last winter, I attended an interesting meeting of mathematicians and math educators in Banff, Canada. Our charge was to compile a list of integer sequences that would offer suitable problems for students (and teachers) at each level from Kindergarten to 12th grade. It was a sequel to 2014's Unsolved K-12 meeting, and once again was… Continue reading Integer Sequences
Spirograph
Constant Sums, Constant Products
I just cleaned up an existing page on my Web site: Constant Sums, Constant Products, "an untraditional approach to traditional topics". This is a mega-unit, spanning content from middle school, all the way to what one might call "teachers' mathematics." Take a look at it on a summer day when you have a little time… Continue reading Constant Sums, Constant Products
New on my Web site
I usually mention any new material on my Math Education Page on this blog. Today's installment: three new pages, each of which links to several others.1. A new issue of my Math Education Newsletter, featuring links to recent blog posts, info on my summer workshops, and an update on what's new on my Web site.… Continue reading New on my Web site
Pattern Blocks
Pythagorean Proofs
I just added a second dynamic geometry proof of the Pythagorean theorem on my Web site.Both are proofs "without words", which in reality means that you should use them to generate discussion. Indeed, many words are needed for students to fully grasp what they see, but the words should not come exclusively from the teacher.… Continue reading Pythagorean Proofs
Interactive Whiteboards
Some years ago, I wrote about interactive whiteboards (IWBs), in response to a passionate anti-IWB opinion piece I stumbled upon. The author of that piece objected to IWBs on multiple grounds, some of them legitimate. But I disagreed with his main point, which was to counterpose IWBs to student-centered pedagogy. To me, those are not… Continue reading Interactive Whiteboards