High School Geometry Reorganization

Recently, our school has been contemplating a change from 7 50-minute periods (semesters) to 5 72-minute periods (trimesters).  I have tried with a previous administrator to get the scheduled changed so that we have more time in each class, especially since Geometry has an end-of-course exam.  Our current schedule really doesn't allow us to get into the subject as deeply as I would like, so that my students leave feeling accomplished.  It seems that we have just gotten started in class when the bell rings.

In light of this contemplation, I went in search of pacing guides to revamp and chunk units for ease of understanding.  I am extremely excited with my new plan.  The units have been chunked and divided in half based on the number of days in each unit.  This sequence will work even if we don't end of changing our schedule.

Below is a picture of my hanging file folders.  I am currently going through all my previously used assignments and all the new ones I have downloaded from Pinterest and my favorite math blogs and putting them in the appropriate folder.  Once that step is done (NEVER!!!  always downloading new cool stuff!), I will go through each folder and decide what I want to use, what I can toss and what I can redo to fit my students' abilities.

Here's what is written on the tabs...  Any comments or suggestions are greatly appreciated!!

Reviewing Radicals Worksheet

I have spent the last 5 hours "playing" on Pinterest, looking for classroom ideas.  Since, I've been on that long, you know I've found a lot of cool ideas!

I just created a cut and paste worksheet for reviewing radicals, based on an activity from http://web.gnowledge.org/.  This would be a great activity to use when you have time left over or as an Interactive Notebook Activity.

Here is a picture and the link to download your own copy.

Data Wall Redo

This week I have updated my Data Wall appearance as well as posted 3rd interim grades on a bar graph by class.  I laminated 2 colored pieces of paper together according to my class color-coding.  Since they were laminated, I hot-glued them to my concrete wall, added clothespins, numbers for the periods and a catchy title, made in MS Word.

Here are pictures of the title and the colored sheets ready for data...

 

This was my second try at the title and I'm not sure I love it...so I'll keep it till I know what I want.  Then, I'll change it!

My New "No Homework Binder"

As I was perusing Pinterest (for hours), like I do every weekend, I came across a blog that had a great idea for those students that don't do their homework.

I took the idea and worked it through my head for a little while, then decided that I could make it work. I used the basic design of the sheet, but made mine into half sheets to put in one of my many small binders.  To make them easier to fill out, I will hole punch them at the top.

The "No HW Binder" will have 6 dividers, one for each of my classes, and a sheet for each student in the class.  I'm thinking I may color-code the sheets.  When a student doesn't have their HW done, they will have to fill out the binder sheet.  I plan on using these to show parents at Open House (our parent/teacher conferences at the midterm).

I'm not sure how to guarantee they have filled it in, if I don't double-check them.  I have so many students that don't bother to do homework, even knowing I'm going to check it!!  They will see all their missing assignments every time they miss another one.  I hope this helps!

Click here for my half-sheet version.  Or you can click the link below to see my inspiration!

Credit: Teach-Bake-Love

















UPDATED PICS:

Make-Up Work Pocket Chart

Since I have started using the interactive notebook again, I remember why I stopped earlier this year!  It is so hard getting notes done and glued into the notebook during our 50-minute period, not to mention getting/keeping all the absent students up-to-date.

So today, I rearranged how I organize make-up work.  At the beginning of the year (and in past years), I put handouts in a color-coded folder in a metal rack on the side of my shelves (see below).  This year, students don't ask what they missed when absent and totally disregard the make-up work container.  (I feel this is due to a lack of motivation that our entire school has fallen victim to.)  I decided to put in right in front of them, so there is no excuse.

Instead of putting handouts in the folder that's not in clear view or keeping them on my table (flaring up my OCD), I would put them right by the door, in a pocket chart I bought at the beginning of the year and haven't used yet.

The blue/green/yellow chart below has 9 handout-sized pockets and a 3" tall clear pocket in front of each of those.  The handouts go in the large pockets and the date number of the assignment goes in the clear pocket.  I will keep adding handouts till the pockets are full.  On the 8th, I will replace the 28 with an 8 and discard extra handouts, etc.

I will be moving my apple pocket chart (make-up tests), but I'm not sure what I will be using it for...yet.  When I give a test, I will write names of all absent students on an index card and place it in the clear pocket with the date number.

Flip Chart Observation File Folder

A great way to record students’ behavior, absences, tardies, bathroom passes, preparedness, etc. is to create a flip chart using a file folder and index cards (enough for one per student plus a few extras).

I use colored folders to coordinate with my class color (yellow- Math for College Readiness, purple- Geometry and green- Precalc) and 3”x5” index cards.

Place the open file folder on a flat surface and start at the bottom on the left, leaving about a half inch.  Turn the index card upside down so that the pink line is at the bottom and place a small piece of tape at the top.  Line your next card up on the pink line of the first and tape it down (don’t use glue).  Continue until you have half the number you need or you reach the top.  Then, do the same on the right side of the file folder.

Write students’ names at the bottom of each index card.

I keep my folders in a file folder pocket chart clipped to the side of my podium for easy access.  Some years I will change the cards each nine weeks and others I will change them at the end of each semester.  I simply take an X-Acto knife and cut the tape to remove them.  Then, I file them away until the end of the year.

Flip Chart Observation File Folder

Parabola Activity

I can't wait to use this (review) activity with my Precalc class.  As the students come in the room, I'll hand them a parabola graph card.  They will go to three different areas and pick up the equation card, the axis of symmetry card and the vertex card.  

There are only 12 of each, so I made two sets.  One set is shown and the other one is printed in blue, green, teal and purple.  I will post the answers on the smart board for them to self-check.  

This isn't my original idea.  Credit to follow...

Parabola Match-Up Activity

Patterns Activity

Today, my Math for College Readiness classes started the section on Patterns and Iterations.  Ahead of time, I made 8 sets of 5 colored cards.  On each colored card, I wrote 4 or 5 terms of a sequence.  Students' desks are already in groups of 3.  Each group got one set of cards and a half-sheet worksheet.  On the worksheet, students brainstormed to come up with the pattern for each sequence and the next 5 terms.

It was definitely a success!  They enjoyed the challenge and worked well together.  One of my sequences was O, T, T, F, F,...  Most of them were able to figure it out without a hint.

Patterns Activity

Geometry Basic Figure Review

Earlier this month I came across an idea from @misscalcul8 that was apparently taken from @msrubinmath!  So I carried on the tradition and modified it slightly myself,  making it totally on the computer, no bad handwriting days!

I printed out 7 copies on a color laser printer and laminated them, then cut out all the pieces of 6 of them.  The seventh one is my master.  I also printed out 6 blank copies and laminated them.  Each set of 30 cards was put in a baseball card protector, hole-punched then put on a ring.

Today, was the day I got to use it with my 3 Geometry/Geometry Honors classes.  Their desks (individual tables) are already in groups of 3, so each group got a laminated blank worksheet, a set of 30 laminated cards and a blank worksheet for each student to fill out and save as notes.  The students were shown how to get started using the document camera, then they set to work.  As each group finished, they asked me to check their answers before they filled out their own worksheet.

Two classes went by before I thought that I should take pics for the blog!  And of course, all I had was my cell phone!  They didn't turn out too bad.

 Credit: @msrubinmath














Credit: @misscalcul8














My blank version...














My master copy...

Geometry Basic Figure Review

Station Activities

This year I will be starting "Station Activities" in my math classes (Geometry, Precalc and Math for College Readiness).  Two of them will be set out for each class each week.  Students will take turns working on them during the week.  Most, but not all, of them will have accompanying worksheets.

This activity is to review the properties of quadrilaterals.  It consists of the orange paper, which has 7 quadrilaterals listed, and the business cards, which have the properties printed on them. Students will go through the cards and place each one in the correct rectangle beside the quadrilateral name.  All properties are represented as many times as applicable.  The sheet in the folder is the worksheet (2 to a page).  On the backs of the cards are numbers.  When all the cards are distributed, the student will turn them over and record their numbers on the worksheet for each quadrilateral.

I found this idea on Pinterest.  So far, I have only made 8 of them, mostly for Geometry.  I used a (scrapbooking) circle cutter to cut colored paper that I had already laminated into 7.5 inch diameter circles.  I wrote on them with a Sharpie which dries out the marker quickly.  In the future, I will cut, write on, then laminate.  Some have an inner circle that contains a drawing (see below), all are divided into 8 sectors (but I am working on some that will have 16).  The problems are written in the sectors and the answers are written on clothespins.

Here's one that has an inner circle.

In this example, I decided to include 3 incorrect answers.  They are answers the students would most likely get if they did it incorrectly.

Another Pinterest idea...the other side of the chip says "add"...

Below is the half-sheet worksheet to go with this station.

These are soap containers from Walmart.  I labeled each one from the inside with the name and on the end with how I plan to use it.

I will hand these out as students arrive and have them call out what is on their card and the simplified number.  This will be used as a review.

Students get one when they come to class.  After bellwork, I will tell them to line up at the front of the room in order from smallest to largest, without talking.  They will have to simplify the rational expression before lining up.  There are a couple that are the same number just in a different form (-1.25 and -1 1/4).  I can't wait to see how they will handle that!

This is my Student Function Machine that I wrote about in a previous blog post.

I have 3 activities on rings.  Elapsed Time, Making Change and Order of Operations.  Each one has a worksheet to go along with it.

I am keeping a master copy and answer key for each station in these folders by topic.

I bought a hanger for pants at Goodwill for 99 cents with the thought that I could probably use it...somehow.  Well, when I was looking for a way to hang my ziplocs, it was the perfect solution.

The last type of station that I have created is called Tarsia.  These are puzzles that the students put together similar to dominoes.  I've printed out 5 of them on colored paper.  I didn't laminate mine, but I might in the future.  You can find out all about them here.  There are also files you can download at the bottom of that page.  NOTE: Software is PC only.  Here is the solution for Laws of Exponents (downloaded free from link above).  You will print the "output" and cut apart.  Print the "solution" to grade it.  If you cut out the solution, students may be able to piece it together simply by looking at the way it was cut.