Jay Waggoner
37 Followers
Lima, Ohio, United States
About the store
Jay Waggoner, a native of Fremont, Ohio, received a Bachelor's Degree in Mathematics from Ohio Northern University and a Master of Arts in Math Education from Bowling Green State University. Jay spent his entire 39 year career teaching for Shawnee Local Schools, near Lima, Ohio. Though he started at the junior high level, he soon moved to the high school level where, at one time or another, he taught every math course ever offered at Shawnee, including AP Calculus, which he taught for the last thirty years of his career. Now retired from teaching, he picks up spending money for vacations by selling used books on eBay and abebooks . . . and writing puzzle books. With the used books, he hopes to sell them for more than he paid for them. With the puzzle books, he hopes to either help many learn or relearn math, and eventually wishes to make math a mainstream recreational activity. That goal will have been attained when John (or Joan) Q. Public sees the license plate - MW1331, and thinks: "My Word, eleven cubed."
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Baseball Opening Day, History by Numbers, Mental Math Batting Practice
This puzzle, along with most of the other puzzles that I write, is a mental exercise in integrating, reviewing, and blending. I want to integrate more than one subject in a learning activity, cross-curricular learning as it were. All of life’s experiences are integrated activities. I want to review previous material a student (puzzle doer) has been exposed to. We get better at tasks in life by repetition. I want to blend a learning experience with as many other learning situations as I
5th - 12th
Arithmetic, For All Subjects, Mental Math
15 Mark Twain puzzles,Tom Sawyer,Huckleberry Finn,Jumping Frog,Hadleyburg
This offering is a 15 puzzle set of puzzles on Mark Twain, two of his more popular books - The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn; two of his short stories The Man That Corrupted Hadleyburg and The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County; and one of his essays - Fenimore Cooper's Literary Offences. Included is a math essay puzzle giving critical dates and numbers about Clemens/Twain. The math is NOT hard. I'd like for it to be done mentally . . . and seventh grad
7th - 12th, Adult Education, Higher Education
Basic Operations, Literature, Vocabulary
AP AB Calculus,3 Before Calc Puzzles,3 After Calc puzzles
This offering is the six puzzle set of all pre- and post- calculus course puzzles. Three of the puzzles might best be given before the study of Calculus begins, 3 would best be given after the study of Calculus is completed. The six puzzles are: First, a Pre Calculus Mathematician Search wherein the puzzle-doer will search in a "word search" type puzzle for many of the mathematicians, ancient and later, who made contributions to the foundation of what was needed to "build" calculus. Upon conclus
11th - 12th, Higher Education
Calculus, Math Test Prep, Other (Math)
19 STEM Puzzles Blending Mathematics Science,arithmetic,powers,snakes, grammar
This offering is a set of nineteen STEM useful puzzles blending together science and mathematics (14 puzzles) and English and mathematics (5 puzzles. Each of the nineteen puzzles is either accompanied with a Prelude or an introductory paragraph which will give a brief review of the mathematics needed to complete the puzzles as well as explaining how the puzzle part is to be done. The science topics reviewed are snakes, sea shells, hurricanes, Palmetto trees, turtles, alligators, crocodiles, live
7th - 12th, Adult Education
General Science, Grammar, Math Test Prep
36 Puzzle Calculus Package,No Calc AB, 30 Mathacrostics + 6 Other Puzzles
The Three Pre Calculus and Three Post Calculus Puzzles This is a six puzzle set of pre- and post- calculus course puzzles that are different from the “mathacrostics” puzzles. Three of the puzzles might best be given before the study of Calculus begins, 3 would best be given after the study of Calculus is completed. The six puzzles are: First, a Pre Calculus Mathematician Search wherein the puzzle-doer will search in a "word search" type puzzle for many of the mathematicians, ancient
11th - 12th, Higher Education
Calculus, Math Test Prep, Other (Math)
AP Calculus,36 Puzzle Package,3 Beginning of Year, 30 for Year,3 End of Year
The Three Pre Calculus and Three Post Calculus Puzzles This is a six puzzle set of pre- and post- calculus course puzzles that are different from the “mathacrostics” puzzles. Three of the puzzles might best be given before the study of Calculus begins, 3 would best be given after the study of Calculus is completed. The six puzzles are: First, a Pre Calculus Mathematician Search wherein the puzzle-doer will search in a "word search" type puzzle for many of the mathematicians, ancient and later, w
11th - 12th, Higher Education
Calculus, Math Test Prep, Mental Math
No Calc Calc Mathacrostics - an AB AP No Calculator Puzzle Book
These individual puzzles (at present thirty puzzles), and the Calculus Mathacrostic Puzzle book they will make up are intended: to be a “last second” no-calculator Advanced Placement preparation review of a, perhaps, forgotten topic in first quarter Calculus; to be a more pleasant additional assignment (with mostly nice and semi-nice answers) on topics that the teacher feels a class needs more work on; to be given to an individual student who the teacher has noticed needs more work in a certain
10th - 12th, Higher Education
Calculus, Math Test Prep, Mental Math
14 STEM Puzzles Blending Mathematics Science,arithmetic,powers,snakes, turtles
This offering is a set of fourteen STEM useful puzzles blending together both science and mathematics. Each of the fourteen puzzles is either accompanied with a Prelude or an introductory paragraph which will give a brief review of the mathematics needed to complete the puzzles as well as explaining how the puzzle part is to be done. The science topics reviewed are snakes, sea shells, hurricanes, Palmetto trees, turtles, alligators, crocodiles, live oak trees, dolphins, sand, and shoreline defin
7th - 12th, Adult Education
Arithmetic, Earth Sciences, Math Test Prep
25 Puzzle Edgar Allan Poe Package,English Curriculum Director's Dream
This offering is a 25 puzzle set of puzzles on Edgar Allan Poe and eight of his more popular works: The Cask of Amontillado, The Purloined Letter, The Raven, The Black Cat, The Fall of the House of Usher, The Masque of the Red Death, The Tell-Tale Heart, and The Pit and the Pendulum. Included is a math essay puzzle giving critical dates and numbers about Edgar Allan Poe. The math is NOT hard. I'd like for it to be done mentally . . . and seventh graders should be able to handle it easily, the 12
7th - 12th, Adult Education, Higher Education
Basic Operations, Literature, Vocabulary
Sports Puzzles,Vocabulary,Word Recognition,Math Computation,21 puzzles
This offering is the entire collection of 21 puzzles included in my College Conference puzzles. There are 7 major conferences and I've got three puzzles for each conference - SEC, BIG EAST, Big 10, Big, 12, Pac 12, ACC, and AAC. There are 7 crossword puzzles for older students or middle school students working in teams. (Remember! The point of a crossword is to have a little fun/challenge while you are learning something. You are not supposed to know each answer right away upon glancing at
3rd - 12th, Adult Education
Math Test Prep, Reading
4 Puzzle,Edgar Allan Poe,Pit and Pendulum,Adverb Search,Vocabulary Puzzle,X-word
This offering is a four puzzle package of puzzles involving Edgar Allan Poe and his short story The Pit and the Pendulum. Included are an "arithmetic essay" on general knowledge about Poe in which addition and subtraction and smaller exponents are used to come up with the appropriate dates and numbers. (The arithmetic is NOT hard, just good to learn/know. The INTENT is for the problems to be done mentally . . . instructions are given. Students from 7th grade to 12th grade will be able to do the
7th - 12th, Adult Education
Basic Operations, Literature, Vocabulary
4 Puzzle,Edgar Allan Poe,Tell-Tale Heart,Adject. Search,Vocabulary Puzzle,X-word
This offering is a four puzzle package of puzzles involving Edgar Allan Poe and his short story The Tell-Tale Heart. Included are an "arithmetic essay" on general knowledge about Poe in which addition and subtraction and smaller exponents are used to come up with the appropriate dates and numbers. (The arithmetic is NOT hard, just good to learn/know. The INTENT is for the problems to be done mentally . . . instructions are given. Students from 7th grade to 12th grade will be able to do the probl
7th - 12th, Adult Education
Basic Operations, Literature, Vocabulary
Combining Like Bodies, A Combining Like Terms Cornwellian Puzzle
This puzzle, along with most of the other puzzles that I write, is an attempt to integrate, review, and blend. I want to integrate more than one subject in a learning activity, cross-curricular learning as it were. All of life’s experiences are integrated activities. I want to review previous material a student (puzzle doer) has been exposed to. We get better at tasks in life by repetition. I want to blend a learning experience with as many other learning situations as I can. Few life expe
7th - 11th, Adult Education
Algebra, Basic Operations, Literature
3 Puzzle Pi Day Package,Pie Day,Math Word search,Math Pi History,Crossword
This three puzzle offering is in "celebration" of March 14, Pi Day. All three puzzles can be done by seventh graders through seniors, though the younger students might be best working in groups on the crossword. The math required for the Math Pi History is just adding and subtracting whole numbers . . . though since I'd LIKE them to be done MENTALLY even seniors can get something out of it. I HAVE given instructions as to how to do them mentally. All three puzzles are foot off of the acceler
7th - 12th, Adult Education
Arithmetic, Mental Math, Vocabulary
Two Pi Are, A Pi Day Crossword Challenge
This crossword was created specifically for March 14, Pi Day in the math world. The doer needs no math background in order to complete the puzzle, actually a little background in English and literature might help a bit more. Nevertheless, any sharp underclassman/woman or upper level math student should appreciate the theme and plays on words. There is a comment that the puzzle had no solution key. I BELIEVE that I have rectified that problem. Please comment again if this is not the case!
8th - 12th, Adult Education
For All Subjects, Other (Math), Vocabulary
3 Puzzle Merchant of Venice,Word Search Crossword,Vocabulary,Characters
This offering is a three puzzle package of puzzles involving Shakespeare and one of his plays, The Merchant of Venice. Included are a "math essay" on general knowledge about Shakespeare in which addition is used to come up with the appropriate dates and numbers. (The addition is NOT hard, just good to learn/know.) There is a word search on finding the 18 major characters in The Merchant of Venice that will make a nice introduction to reading the play. And there's a crossword puzzle that would pr
7th - 12th, Adult Education, Higher Education
Basic Operations, Literature, Vocabulary
Pre-Algebra Proverbs WITH Explanations,Digital Mini-Textbook,Mathacrostics Puzzl
We have decided to take one of our more popular puzzle series and make it even more user-friendly in a couple ways. First, we are making each of the books in the series entirely digital for those who prefer digital to hard copy (for those who prefer hard copy please go to our Value Added Publishing site) and second, we will be writing introductory explanations for EACH of the individual mathacrostics puzzles. Pre-Algebra Proverbs Mathacrostics has now been completed. This listing is
6th - 12th
Algebra, Geometry, Math
4 Puzzle,Edgar Allan Poe,The Raven,Adjective Search,Vocabulary,Crossword
This offering is a four puzzle package of puzzles involving Edgar Allan Poe and his classic poem, The Raven. Included are an "arithmetic essay" on general knowledge about Poe in which addition and subtraction and smaller exponents are used to come up with the appropriate dates and numbers. (The arithmetic is NOT hard, just good to learn/know. The INTENT is for the problems to be done mentally . . . instructions are given. Students from 7th grade to 12th grade will be able to do the problems and
7th - 12th
Basic Operations, Literature, Poetry
8 Robert Louis Stevenson puzzles,Treasure Island,Kidnapped,Dr. Jekyll
This offering is a set of 8 puzzles centered about 3 of Robert Louis Stevenson's classics and Robert Louis Stevenson. ALL are intended to be "foot off the accelerator but still learn something" puzzles. There is one puzzle on Stevenson, the author, and blends a little mental math (Your students WILL be able to handle the math . . . it's adding numbers together mentally and an explanation IS given.) with learning some facts about Stevenson the man. The three classics involved are Treasure Island
7th - 12th, Adult Education
Grammar, Mental Math, Reading
5 STEM puzzles,Blending English & Mathematics,Grammar,Exponents,Spelling
This offering is a set of five STEM useful puzzles blending together both English and mathematics. Each of the five puzzles is accompanied with a Prelude which gives a brief review of the English and mathematics needed to complete the puzzles as well as explaining how the puzzle part is to be done. The English topics reviewed are grammar, using the correct homophone, how apostrophes are employed, and spelling. The math topics used are raising two, three, and ten to powers, using negative expo
7th - 12th, Adult Education
Basic Operations, Grammar, Spelling
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About the store
Experience
Jay Waggoner, a native of Fremont, Ohio, received a Bachelor's Degree in Mathematics from Ohio Northern University and a Master of Arts in Math Education from Bowling Green State University. Jay spent his entire 39 year career teaching for Shawnee Local Schools, near Lima, Ohio. Though he started at the junior high level, he soon moved to the high school level where, at one time or another, he taught every math course ever offered at Shawnee, including AP Calculus, which he taught for the last thirty years of his career. Now retired from teaching, he picks up spending money for vacations by selling used books on eBay and abebooks . . . and writing puzzle books. With the used books, he hopes to sell them for more than he paid for them. With the puzzle books, he hopes to either help many learn or relearn math, and eventually wishes to make math a mainstream recreational activity. That goal will have been attained when John (or Joan) Q. Public sees the license plate - MW1331, and thinks: "My Word, eleven cubed."
Teaching style
It varies with the class and the chemistry of the class BUT as I progressed in my career two things became increasingly important and evident: First, students (REGARDLESS of their age/class) need to get out of their seats with some degree of frequency and up to the black/white boards to do problems. Only by doing can one learn. Students love it. Second, ALL students need constant review. I try to make reviewing fun with puzzles.
Awards & shining teacher moments
Making Shawnee the Best It Can Be
Presenter at several Ohio Council of Teachers of Mathematics meetings.
Speaker and presenter at many meetings and sessions.
My own education history
Graduated from Fremont Ross High School.
Bachelor of Arts with a Math Major from Ohio Northern University.
Master of Arts with a Cognate in Mathematics from Bowling Green State University.
Additional biographical information
I see.
I read.
I think.
I do.
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