There aren’t many places in the real world that Stem and Leaf Plots are used. However, the good news is the places they are used are very important. These are 3 Extremely Realistic Ways to Introduce Stem and Leaf Plots Airports – Everyone loves going on vacation. It would be awful to go to an […]
The Pythagorean Theorem – Like You’ve Never Seen It Before
I have seen a lot of teachers teach the Pythagorean Theorem in hundreds of different ways in my over a decade of teaching math. There is one, however, that I will forever use! This lesson is on the proof of the Pythagorean theorem. This is THE GREATEST WAY to Teach the Pythagorean Theorem! (There is […]
Area of Circles – Thinking About Pi
You get one chance to introduce Pi to your students. We want to give you some pointers on how to make sure it doesn’t go over their head right of the bat. Introducing Pi You have to start this lesson by teaching them that Pi is a ratio of the Circumference of the Circle to […]
Constructions – Kids with Sharp Objects
Teaching Constructions can be fun and frustrating at the same time. A lot of students using a lot of different tools at once can cause chaos. My biggest advice would be do not just show them how to do them and then turn them loose. Solve every problem with them step by step making them […]
Scatter Plots – Forearm to Foot Activity
Create a Google Sheet for a Scatter Plot. If you search the Templates on Google Sheets you will see it is already there and pre-made. You will want to edit it to fit your needs. It is very simple to edit. Change the x and y axis to reflect what you want them to […]
Solving Two-Step Equations – Push the Undo Button
Every year we ask our Geometry Teachers what the most important skill students need from Algebra to be successful in Geometry. Every year they say solving two-step equations. Why is this such an important task? Because solving two-step equations is the first time your students have to think beyond one mathematical step to get what they need […]
Fractions, Decimals, and Percentages – Cellular Data Usage
When it comes to converting Fractions, Decimals, and Percentages you will come to find your students are really engaged. They will only be engaged at high levels though if you introduce with a real world example that they actually care about. Here are 3 excellent real world ways to introduce converting between Fractions, Decimals, and Percentages […]
Adding and Subtracting Fractions – Cut the Cheese
Teaching Adding and Subtracting Fractions is by far the most frustrating topic for High School Teachers. If you only teach middle school you have an enormous impact on how much of a headache your students’ high school math classes will be. I have been teaching for over 10 years and by far the most frustrating […]
Irrational Numbers – K.I.S.S.
Irrational Numbers are a nightmare to introduce. The reason is that the most logical place to start is with a proof of finding the length of a diagonal of a square with side lengths of 1 unit to be the Square Root of 2. However, this is way over their heads and they aren’t ready […]
Variables and Equations – Using Stick Figures
This might be the greatest teaching tip you ever receive. Not just on Variables and Equations but as a Math Teacher! Do not use letters the first time you introduce variables to your students and never use the same variable twice in different problems on the first day or two! Let me explain, when […]
The Order of Operations – Don’t ask your Calculator
It really doesn’t matter which method you use to teach the Order of Operations. You can use PEMDAS, Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally, or any other catchy phrase. That isn’t the biggest problem. It is when they have to take their standardized tests and they don’t understand that their calculator doesn’t follow the order […]