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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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
Irrational . . . but Well-Rounded, A Pi Day Advanced Arithmetic Puzzle
To fill in the blanks in this unique puzzle, and find the answer to the quote (and its source), match the date/number below the blank with the letters and events below. If you do not recall the date of the events listed, I’ve given you the math wherewithal to calculate the date. Of course, it might help to learn/remember that a quick way to subtract mentally is by “over-subtracting.” Consider 736 – 198. Instead of subtracting 198, subtract 200; it’s easier to subtract from 736. So, 736 – 200 is
5th - 12th, Adult Education
Applied Math, Arithmetic, Basic Operations
Deducing Some St. Pat's Stats, A St. Patrick's Day Mental Math Event
Here's a St. Patrick's Day Puzzle that yields a bit of history and lore while enriching mental math abilities. To fill in the blanks, and find the answer to the anonymous quote, match the date below the blank with the letters and events below. If you do not recall the date of the events listed, I’ve given you the math wherewithal to calculate the date. Of course, it might help to learn/remember that a quick way to subtract mentally is by “over-subtracting.” Consider 736 – 198. Instead
6th - 12th, Adult Education
Basic Operations, Mental Math
Signs of the Sea Turtle,Mathematical Essay,Operations with Signed Numbers
In this mathematical turtle essay you’ll learn a bit more about turtles. To be honest, there aren’t many negatives about turtles, but you will have to recall/relearn something about negative numbers in order to complete the essay. In order to complete the blanks the student will have to do some adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing with signed numbers. There IS a Prelude that explains these students that accompanies the puzzle for the student who has forgotten, or needs some remi
6th - 10th, Adult Education
Algebra, Basic Operations, Biology
NCAA Basketball by the Numbers, A March Madness 3 pointer
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 can.
7th - 12th, Adult Education
Basic Operations, Mental Math
Mothers by the Numbers, A Mothers' Day Math Essay
Here is a timely, informative, and helpful extra credit opportunity for the enterprising student who wants to know more! 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 b
7th - 12th, Adult Education
Algebra, Basic Operations, Mental Math
The Positives and Negatives on Sea Shells, Basic Integer Operations
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
6th - 12th, Adult Education
Algebra, Arithmetic, Basic Operations
Square Statues (?), A Signed Numbers Operations Mathacrostic
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
6th - 10th, Adult Education
Algebra, Basic Operations, Numbers
The Gritsy Details, Grits and Taking 20% of a Number to Tip
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 - 12th, Adult Education
Applied Math, Basic Operations, Mental Math
An Orderly Big 12 Conference History,Order of Operation,beginning exponents
This puzzle is a blend of various lessons that can be done individually as homework or extra credit, or in pairs (if the students are younger.) The intent is to blend some math with learning a little something about the Big 12 Conference. The math which will be learned is focused around learning a little about exponents and a lot about working with the order of operations. (Included IS an explanation and example of the order that we simplify when working with the Order of Operations) The blend i
5th - 12th, Adult Education
Basic Operations, Math Test Prep
Summing Up Edisto Island, Adding and Subtracting Mental Math
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
4th - 12th, Adult Education
Algebra, Arithmetic, Basic Operations
History Halloween,Halloween by the Numbers,Practice and Fun Squaring numbers
This puzzle is one that will enable you and/or your students to discover some of the history of Halloween. It’s a mathematical history . . . and "the doer(s)" will be the one(s) supplying the arithmetic. Don’t despair! Each of the expressions to be evaluated can either be done mentally, or with minimal pencil-work. Each of the expressions DOES have at least one square to be evaluated, and some elementary adding and subtracting will come into "play." There are some numbers that end in five
5th - 12th, Adult Education
Basic Operations, Order of Operations
CCSS
6.EE.A.1
PAC 12 Conference History, Math Essay,Exponents,Powers,Order of Operations
This puzzle is a blend of various lessons that can be done individually as homework or extra credit, or in pairs (if the students are younger.) The intent is to blend some math with learning a little something about the Pacific 12 Conference. (the PAC 12) The math which will be learned is focused around learning quick and mental ways to simplify numbers being raised to small powers, something that sixth graders to seniors in high school would benefit from). The blend is in learning a little abou
5th - 12th, Adult Education
Algebra, Basic Operations, Mental Math
Some Puzzling H2O Definitions, A Solving Linear Equations Mathacrostic
This mathacrostic enables the student/doer to learn of various definitions involving bodies of water while getting some practice solving one variable equations. Included with this puzzle is a Prelude explaining how to solve one-variable equations in five steps for the student(s) who need a guide when the teacher/explainer isn't handy. The equations range in difficulty from 2-step solutions to five-step solutions and, for a touch of something a little different, each equation is only made up of
7th - 12th, Adult Education
Algebra, Basic Operations, Earth Sciences
10 Cents a Dollar, A Basic Grammar and Negative Exponent Blend
This puzzle is a puzzle that combines English and math from my puzzle book Fun with Hilton Head and Beaufort. I’ve taken several quotes from a novel that’s set in Hilton Head and Beaufort, but left you to supply some of the necessary words to complete the quote correctly. Sometimes you’ll be choosing the correct homophone, sometimes you’ll have to choose the correct possessive form, and sometimes you’ll be forced into choosing the word that is actually spelled correctly. After you’ve chosen t
8th - 12th, Adult Education
Algebra, Basic Operations, Grammar
Adding Up Some Shakespeare Facts, General William Shakespeare Facts by Addition
This puzzle will acquaint the student/puzzle-doer with some basic facts about William Shakespeare. Upon completion of the puzzle the doer will also be rewarded with a bit of wisdom from the bard from one of his plays. I HAVE blended in some elementary math/arithmetic. English teachers HAVE NO FEAR, the math is addition that a sixth grader can do. I have even given instructions as to how the math can be done mentally in a prelude to the puzzle. Again, please do NOT be fearful of this puzzle
6th - 12th, Adult Education, Higher Education
Basic Operations, British History, Informational Text
Charles Dickens,Powerfully Named Characters,Literature,Exponents,Christmas Carol
This puzzle is one of my "blended" puzzles. One of the qualities that Dickens is known for is his aptly named characters. This matching puzzle will introduce the "doer" to 14 of such characters as well as the five novels/novelettes that they occur in. It might make a nice introductory (or finishing) puzzle to any Charles Dickens work(s) discussed in class. I've included it in my packet of six puzzles centering about Dickens' A Christmas Carol. The student/doer is asked to match 14 character
7th - 12th, Adult Education
Basic Operations, Literature
The Forts of Savannah, Mathematically Speaking,order of operations practice
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 - 12th, Adult Education
Algebra, Basic Operations, U.S. History
Dolphin Math Essay w Powers of 2,3,4,5,6,10,20 Order Operations,exponents
This puzzle from my book Fun with Hilton Head and Beaufort (for the well-rounded puzzler who wants to know more) is a "math essay." In order to complete the numerical parts of the essay the puzzle-doer will have to simplify, for the most part, powers of 2 and 3. The other powers do not occur all that frequently and are not raised to any large powers. Having completed the puzzle you will know a lot more about dolphins . . . and probably have your powers of two and three memorized.
Mighty Powe
7th - 12th, Adult Education
Algebra, Basic Operations, Biology
Night,Elie Wiesel,a Elie Wiesel "biography" by the numbers puzzle
This puzzle is a math essay wherein the student will learn a bit about Elie Wiesel . . . and review a little middle school arithmetic. The intent is to NOT use a calculator to discover the number/dates they do not know in order to complete a math "essay" about Elie Wiesel. Here are my instructions to the puzzle doer:
To fill in the blanks above, and find the Elie Wiesel quote, place the date/number below the blank with the letters and events below. If you do not recall (or don’t know) the date o
7th - 12th, Adult Education
Basic Operations, Mental Math, Other (Social Studies)
Showing 1-20 of 41 results
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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