Sunday, October 30, 2011

Teaching Slopes - Introductory Activity

This activity involves going outside of the room and measuring the steps of a stairwell, a handicap ramp and a skateboard ramp.  They will need a ruler and a worksheet to record the information. 

Data will be converted to ordered pairs, then graphed on the same coordinate plane.  Students will compare the steepness.
Teaching Vocabulary #6 - Making Cartoon Dialogues

You can do this in lieu of making mini-posters.  Basically, you create a template of 3 blank cartoons and students fill in the bubbles with their definition of a math word.  The simpler the characters, the better because students start adding on hair, teeth, glasses, color, etc. 

You can do an image search (not web search) on blank cartoons.  Most are copyrighted so you can make your own.

How to create a cartoon template
1. Using landscape view, create a table of 2 rows and 3 columns
2.  Merge the top row to form 1 column
3.  Insert the 3 blank cartoons at each section of the lower table
4.  Enlarge cartoon as needed.
5.  Type instructions on the top row
      - students would write the definition as a conversation between 2 people
      - they can give examples
      - they can additional items to make the characters interesting
         ex: make eyes cat like or big, add thick lashes, make eyes cross eyed, add stripes to their
               clothing, checkered hair, draw a pet or add windows, etc
      - students will have freedom of expression

Photos of cartoons

Documents

Cartoon Links
Teaching Vocabulary #4 - Rap, Poetry, Rhyming

This activity can be used in lieu of Mini Posters (Teaching Vocabulary #3)

Basically, students can create their own rhyming patterns to math vocabulary.

How to Teach Rhyming
1. Create a simple template for rhyming
2.  List words that students can use
3.  Model rhyming

Photos on Rhyming

Files on Rhyming

Video Links to Rhyming
Teaching Vocabulary #5 - Summarizing your vocabulary

Summarizers are great when you are done with the unit.  Depending on your activity,it can be as simple as writing the words or making a booklet of definitions.  Let students choose their summarizer types.  Again have a rubric so that students are not surprised with their grades.

Sample Rubric:
D - work includes writing, typing all the words such as wordle, foldable, webpage, booklet
C - work includes in addition to above - creativity, visual clarity
B - in addition to above - a diagram of interrelatedness or just diagrams/explanation
A - an organized presentation of all the above including examples and an oratory explanation of their work

Examples of end of unit vocabulary summarizer:
1) Wordles - students type in the words and create a design of words. 
2) Webpage, Power Point or Word - students create a webpage of words with links to online resources
3) Foldable or booklet - students write the words with definitions
*** YouTube has a lot of videos on foldables.  Here's a list - pyramidpop up,  booklets,
4) Youtube video - students create their own video of words
5) Form a circle - students act out the words while they are saying it
6) Poem, rap, performance - students will write the words and make it rhyme like a poem, rap, then present in class
Teaching Vocabulary #3 - Mini Posters

The idea of a mini poster is to allow students to focus on understanding a topic of their own choosing.  I sometimes use it as an assessment tool depending on how much they have to explain.  Vocabulary mini posters make a great word wall too....

Benefits of Mini Posters:
* promotes correct spellling, writing and diagramning
* promotes researching on their own
* promoteslogical organization of topic understanding
* simple to do and not overwhelming
* easy to present orally in front of the class since it is only 1 word
* makes a nice break from math computations
* allows creativity

How to make a mini poster:
1) Have a template ready - which includes the instructions, date and a rubric.
2) The mini poster will be drawn on the other side of the paper (so that students will know how you graded it when you return them!)
3) It should include the list of words they learned recently
4) Students choose only 1 word
5) Students can use their book, notes, etc as a resource
6) Have a rubric which should include topic, diagram, example, creativity/color and presentation
  **** remind students what it takes to make an A...
7) Have a box of markers ready and available

Making mini-posters a regular activity
* Every Friday after a quiz
* Appropriate about 10-15 minutes
* As students become used to it, you can extend it to a more comprehensive project

Photos of mini posters

Files on Mini Posters:
Teaching Vocabulary #2 - Flashcards

Printed flashcards is a great tool for students to visualize words, pronounce them, learn its spelling, hear you say it.  You can also use it over and over again without having to mess around with technology.    This is something I use as a warm up review the next day or as a summarizer at the end of the lesson.  So make sure that you make them prior to introducing the new lesson.

How to make it:
1)  Use Word or this online link to making flaschcards.
2)  Large simple fonts such as Times Roman or Arial Narrow size 150 or higher
3)  Landscape view
4)  Cut the edges of the prinout, then tape it to construction paper. 
     **** the words will look like photo on frames.
5)  For dramatic effect, use dark papers such as red, blue, green, black, orange, purple
   **** plain dark papers makes great borders and more importantly, it makes the word stand out
   **** don't use scrapbooking papers with designs as it tends to overpower the words
   **** use the same color construction papers if they are related to a main topic
6) Don't print words on color paper
  **** white paper is easier on the eye
  **** Remember the whole idea is for students to focus on the word, not on the surrounding color!
7) Put answers in the back
  ****print it out, cut, then tape so it looks like a border.

Keep the flashcards in a clear plastic box so students can see them. 

If you make it sturdy enough, you can use them over and over.  You can ask students to help you out too.

Photos of flashcards:

Files of flashcards:
Teaching Vocabulary #1 - Cloze

It is simply another word for "filling in the blanks".   This makes a good introduction to vocabulary and students will have to open the book and find the word, read and write the main points.

How to make a cloze:
If the objective is to introduce the topic of relations, then you may write the cloze as follows:

Relations (pg 201) - is a set of o________ p______, tables, mappings and g_______.

**** you can also make a flashcard, in addition to a cloze.  See my teaching vocabulary #2

Photos of cloze

Cloze Files