An expanded and illustrated version of this post was published in The Mathematics Teacher, November 2010. Read it here. ---------------------------------------------------------------------Teacher Magazine published "Why I Hate Interactive Whiteboards", a passionate article by one Bill Ferriter. Hatred seems like a strong reaction to an inanimate object -- but as it turns out it is tied to frustration… Continue reading Interactive White Boards
Tag: Teaching
Kinesthetic Radians
(Previous kinesthetic posts: Pascal's Triangle, Graphing, Distance.)If radians are introduced strictly with a formula, the meaning of the word is difficult to grasp for many students. Some years ago, I learned two tricks from a colleague, which I'll share here:- Tell students that "radian" is short for "radius angle".- A one-minute kinesthetic activity: ask students… Continue reading Kinesthetic Radians
Even More Kinesthetic Activities: Distance
(Previous kinesthetic posts: Pascal's Triangle, Graphing)These activities are best done in a gym or playground. Start before discussing circles, perpendicular bisectors, angle bisectors, etc. in a geometry class. It may be best to not do all of the activities in one session.I've done much of this with my own students, but not yet all. I… Continue reading Even More Kinesthetic Activities: Distance
Another Kinesthetic Activity: Graphing
In a recent post, I responded to a request for a kinesthetic introduction to Pascal's Triangle. Here is a kinesthetic activity to introduce or review graphing:Ask students to line up along the line at the middle of a basketball court, which will be the x-axis. The middle student will be 0, and students on the… Continue reading Another Kinesthetic Activity: Graphing
Kinesthetic intro to Pascal’s Triangle
Question in an online discussion:I'm trying to figure out how to kinesthetically demonstrate Pascal's triangle with my precalculus kidsMy response: I do a lot of kinesthetic activities in geometry and algebra, but haven't yet thought about this particular topic that way.Here's a possibility:- Have students stand in a triangular number arrangement- Give the top student… Continue reading Kinesthetic intro to Pascal’s Triangle
Job at the Urban School
Full-Time High School Mathematics TeacherFor the 2010-11 School YearThe Urban School of San Francisco seeks a high school mathematics teacher with an undergraduate degree in mathematics or a mathematical science to teach classes ranging from Algebra through Calculus. The school is looking for a dynamic, creative teacher who has enthusiasm for working with high school… Continue reading Job at the Urban School
Madness in Seattle, cont’d
In a previous post, I wrote:A judge overturned the math textbook selection of the Seattle school district, on the grounds that the books are "inquiry-based" and not as effective (according to the plaintiffs in a court case) as "direct instruction".Just to be clear: I don't see myself on the side of "inquiry" and against "direct… Continue reading Madness in Seattle, cont’d
Madness in Seattle
A judge overturned the math textbook selection of the Seattle school district, on the grounds that the books are "inquiry-based" and not as effective (according to the plaintiffs in a court case) as "direct instruction". The textbooks are published by Key Curriculum Press, and include the Discovering series for algebra and geometry, and the Foerster… Continue reading Madness in Seattle
Research
Correspondents often ask whether there is research that establishes that my curricular materials are effective. The question is usually about the Lab Gear, but recently someone asked it about my pentomino materials.Unfortunately, I don't know the answer. If someone did this kind of research, they didn't tell me about it.What I do know is that… Continue reading Research
Independent Curriculum Group
I'll be participating in a panel on "How do schools foster innovative teaching?" at each of two conferences of the Independent Curriculum Group: Friday, January 15 in NYC, and Thursday, January 28 in Philadelphia.The ICG is a coalition of schools that de-emphasize APs and prioritize their own educational missions. Appropriately, Mark Salkind (my visionary boss… Continue reading Independent Curriculum Group
Henri's Math Education Blog 