I need to teach my students about three things: failing gracefully, persevering, and succeeding graciously.
— Hollis Easter
CREDITS: Today’s quote is from Hollis Easter, via Twitter. Background photo courtesy of Brenda Clarke (CC BY 2.0) via Flickr.
The Fun in Learning
Just like the games we play, the fun in learning mathematics is in the challenge.
— Erlina Ronda
CREDITS: Today’s quote is from Erlina Ronda, The fun in learning mathematics is in the challenge. Background photo courtesy of USAG-Humphreys (CC BY 2.0) via flickr.
Algebra for (Almost) Any Age
Fawn Nguyen’s Visual Patterns website just keeps getting better and better. Check it out:
In addition to the 115 puzzle patterns (as of this writing), the site features a Gallery page of patterns submitted by students. And under the “Teachers” tab, Fawn shares a form to guide students in thinking their way through to the algebraic formula for a pattern.
How can you use these patterns to develop algebraic thinking with younger students? Mike Lawler and sons demonstrate Pattern #1 in the YouTube video below.
A Good Problem Requires Dreaming Time
A good problem should be more than a mere exercise; it should be challenging and not too easily solved by the student, and it should require some “dreaming” time.
— Howard Eves
CREDITS: Today’s quote is from Howard Eves, An Introduction to the History of Mathematics. Background photo courtesy of Brenda Clarke (CC BY 2.0) via flickr.
The Point Is To Understand
Any fool can know. The point is to understand.
— Albert Einstein
CREDITS: Background photo courtesy of Backgrounds Etc (CC BY 2,0) via flickr
Parents, Teachers: Learn about Teaching Decimals
Many children are confused by decimals. They are convinced 0.48 > 0.6 because 48 is obviously ever so much bigger than 6. Their intuition tells them 0.2 × 0.3 = 0.6 has the clear ring of truth. And they confidently assert that, if you want to multiply a decimal number by 10, all you have to do is add a zero at the end.
What can we do to help our kids understand decimals?
Christopher Danielson (author of Talking Math with Your Kids) will be hosting the Triangleman Decimal Institute, a free, in-depth, online chat for “everyone involved in children’s learning of decimals.” The Institute starts tomorrow, September 30 (sorry for the short notice!), but you can join in the discussion at any time:
Past discussions stay open, so feel free to jump into the course whenever you can. Here is the schedule of “classes”:
Math Teachers at Play #66
[Feature photo above by Franz & P via flickr. Route 66 sign by Sam Howzit via flickr. (CC BY 2.0)]
Welcome to the Math Teachers At Play blog carnival — which is not just for math teachers! If you like to learn new things and play around with ideas, you are sure to find something of interest.
By tradition, we start the carnival with a couple of puzzles in honor of our 66th edition.
Let the mathematical fun begin!
Puzzle 1
Our first puzzle is based on one of my favorite playsheets from the Miquon Math workbook series. Fill each shape with an expression that equals the target number. Can you make some cool, creative math?
Click the image to download the pdf playsheet set: one page has the target number 66, and a second page is blank so you can set your own target number.
Back to School Sale
Our homeschool runs a bit off-schedule from the rest of the U.S. school system, as we are still finishing up last year’s work. Even so, we’re calling this month the “beginning” of Kitten’s high school years, which seems to me like something to celebrate.
Therefore, I’m launching a one-week sale on my math book:
- Let’s Play Math at Amazon.com Regularly $5.99, marked down to $3.99. No coupon code required.
- Sale expires September 2, 2013.
Please feel free to share the coupon code with your friends.
Update: I’ve just opened up a Ganxy showcase with the sale price, for anyone who would prefer to buy the ebook (in pdf, mobi, and epub) directly from me:
- Let’s Play Math at Ganxy Buy directly from me, no coupon required.
Summer Problem Solving for the Young, the Very Young, and the Young at Heart
Here is yet another wonderful summer math opportunity for homeschoolers or anyone who works with kids: a free, 3-week mini-course on math problem solving for all ages.
The course is being organized by Dr. James Tanton, Dr. Maria Droujkova, and Yelena McManaman. The course participants include families, math clubs, playgroups, and other small circles casually exploring adventurous mathematics with kids of any age.
Would you like to join us? Check out the mpsMOOC13 home page for instructions. The deadline for joining is July 7 July 3.
And then the real fun begins!
Continue reading Summer Problem Solving for the Young, the Very Young, and the Young at Heart
Summer School for Parents, Teachers: How to Learn Math
Here’s an interesting summer learning opportunity for homeschooling parents and classroom teachers alike. Stanford Online is offering a free summer course from math education professor and author Jo Boaler:
Boaler’s book is not required for the course, but it’s a good read and should be available through most library loan systems.
Continue reading Summer School for Parents, Teachers: How to Learn Math
Denise Gaskins' Let's Play Math 