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MathyCathy

Rated 4.98 out of 5, based on 5002 reviews
1,532 Followers
Austin, Texas, United States
About the store
I've never been able to stick with the textbook...! I have over 20 years of experience teaching mathematics to middle and high school students, as well as serving as a Math Coach. In these roles, I impacted thousands of students and their teachers in one of Pennsylvania's largest districts. In 2012, I relocated to Austin, Texas, where I've taught Math 8, Math 8 Accelerated, RTI Math, and Algebra I in a 1:1 iPad classroom. Check out my blog for classroom happenings! http://www.mathycathy.com
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Preview of Combining Like Terms "Silent Sort" Whole-Class Activity Kinesthetic

Combining Like Terms "Silent Sort" Whole-Class Activity Kinesthetic

Created by
MathyCathy
Early Algebra students often find new and unfamiliar vocabulary to be challenging. Once students define "term", "constant", "coefficient", and "like terms", hold them accountable through this engaging activity. First, cut the terms on Page 1 and give one slip of paper to each student. Then, guide students through a series of questions regarding the paper they received. The questions detailed in Page 2 of this activity guide students to stand up and sit down in a "Simon Says" type format...
Preview of Linear, Quadratic, & Exponential Functions: Multiple Representations Review

Linear, Quadratic, & Exponential Functions: Multiple Representations Review

Created by
MathyCathy
This activity includes 8 rotations with 4 tasks each for a total of 32 student tasks. In pairs or small groups, students rotate to each of the 8 pages, posted on your classroom walls. Students complete 1 of the 4 tasks at each rotation. The idea is to explore and practice graphing, creating tables, identifying intercepts, examining patterns, and more! When I used this activity to review with my own students, the conversations that occurred at each station were priceless! Naturally, students
Preview of Recursive and Explicit Formulas: Geometric and Arithmetic Sequences Introduction

Recursive and Explicit Formulas: Geometric and Arithmetic Sequences Introduction

Created by
MathyCathy
The algebraic notation for these topics can be quite intimidating at first glance. To help students understand how recursive formulas work, give them some think-time to complete the included informal introduction here. Once students understand how arithmetic and geometric sequences "behave", introduce the algebraic notation to formalize the patterns. Also included here is a graphic organizer including explicit and recursive formulas for arithmetic and geometric sequences. I hope these r
Preview of Properties of Numbers Cut-and-Paste Matching Quizzes: 2 Versions

Properties of Numbers Cut-and-Paste Matching Quizzes: 2 Versions

Created by
MathyCathy
A twist on the traditional "matching" assessment, these quizzes assess students' understanding of basic number properties. Page 1 is a more challenging assessment, and page 2 assesses more fundamental properties. First, students work together to match specific problems to their corresponding property names. To add higher level thinking, students then create an additional example of each property. Beware! "False Properties" are also included in the mix, and students must critically analyz
Preview of Fraction Operations Paper Foldable Study Guide - Summarize Succinctly!

Fraction Operations Paper Foldable Study Guide - Summarize Succinctly!

Created by
MathyCathy
After working with the 4 basic operations with fractions, some students inevitably confuse the "rules". This foldable study guide is designed to provide students with a visual, parallel comparison of the basics for adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing fractions. Seeing them in this format will reinforce the similarities and differences between the operations, which is a brain-friendly strategy! Simply photocopy the two pages back-to-back, make one "hot dog" fold and two "hamburger"
Preview of April Fool's Day Cumulative Math Quiz! Different Problems All Have SAME ANSWER!

April Fool's Day Cumulative Math Quiz! Different Problems All Have SAME ANSWER!

Created by
MathyCathy
Want to sneak a cumulative review in, but have a little April Fool's fun in the process? This "quiz" is just the trick! Enjoy this original version of a resource I dreamed up YEARS ago! BUT... if you're looking for a similar resource that is grade-specific and aligned to standards, check out these ✨NEW reviews to use on April 1, or literally ❤️ANY day you need to review and want to get a chuckle out of your students!APRIL FOOL'S for MATH 4APRIL FOOL'S for MATH 5APRIL FOOL'S for MATH 6APRIL FO
Preview of 4-Corners Activity:  Solving One-Step Equations & Inequalities

4-Corners Activity: Solving One-Step Equations & Inequalities

Created by
MathyCathy
Spice up your warm-up time by using a "4-Corners" strategy. Using 4 different sets of similar problems, students work individually on a brief set of problems (students don't realize that there are 4 different versions of the problems yet!) Then, after a few minutes of independent work, send students to each of the 4 corners of the classroom according to the small card suit on his or her warm-up sheet to compare and discuss answers. Come back together as a class to discuss solutions and questi
Preview of Battleship Plotting Points Coordinate Plane Math Competition Game

Battleship Plotting Points Coordinate Plane Math Competition Game

Created by
MathyCathy
Students enjoy practicing plotting points by using this activity sheet. Students work in pairs, keeping this sheet from view (I usually use folders or binders, similar to the old-fashioned"BATTLESHIP" game). Each student uses a copy of this page to plot "ships" of specific lengths. Students take turns naming ordered pairs, and respond "HIT" or "MISS" for each pair named. To keep track of one's own guesses, mark this sheet with an "x" for each missed point and a point for each hit. First pla
Preview of Mean Absolute Deviation Foldable Note-Taking Guide

Mean Absolute Deviation Foldable Note-Taking Guide

Created by
MathyCathy
This foldable will help make the process of learning how to calculate the mean absolute deviation of a data set easier to digest! In the new Texas TEKs, 8th grade students must be able to calculate the MAD of a small data set. This foldable note-taking guide helps students take this process one step at a time. I encourage students to reference this structured example as they work more complex problems, and analyze the MAD of multiple data sets. This foldable guide is designed to get them s
Preview of 3-D Double Bar Graphs PROJECT from Student Generated Survey Data - Fun Project

3-D Double Bar Graphs PROJECT from Student Generated Survey Data - Fun Project

Created by
MathyCathy
This project creates quite an impressive product with simple supplies easily accessible in any classroom. Students generate data from surveys given to peers, using simple questions like, "What's your favorite pizza topping?" Students use survey results to create a 3-dimensional double-bar graph. Using centimeter graph paper, markers, and glue sticks, the double-bar graph projects are truly eye-popping! Project description, survey information, and graph assembly instructions included. These
Preview of Statistical Investigation Graphing and Analyzing COOKIE Data!

Statistical Investigation Graphing and Analyzing COOKIE Data!

Created by
MathyCathy
Does name brand mean more chocolate chips? That is the question that fuels this entire statistical investigation! Students gather chip data from actual cookies, analyzing and graphing it along the way. By the end of the investigation, students will have explored mean, median, mode, range, back-to-back stem-and-leaf plots, double bar graphs, box-and-whisker plots, and the idea of estimating. All cookies involved will be destroyed... but it's all worth it!
Preview of "Family of Functions" Novel Intro to Transformations of Linear Functions

"Family of Functions" Novel Intro to Transformations of Linear Functions

Created by
MathyCathy
In my experience, students often have a tough time grasping the concept of a "parent function" or a "family of functions". With this visual, basic introduction to transforming linear functions, my hope is to make a memorable impression on students. A little bit of silly sometimes goes a long way... enjoy! You're invited to stop by my classroom anytime at mathycathy.com/blog!
Preview of Why is a Negative Times a Negative, Positive? Integer Multiplication Discovery

Why is a Negative Times a Negative, Positive? Integer Multiplication Discovery

Created by
MathyCathy
Use this spin on the typical multiplication tables chart to guide students to discover patterns and, ultimately, generalize the rules for multiplying integers... and if you dare... ask students to consider division while they're at it!
Preview of BIG HUGE PUZZLE Square Roots Practice - Great Bulletin Board Too

BIG HUGE PUZZLE Square Roots Practice - Great Bulletin Board Too

Created by
MathyCathy
This BIG HUGE PUZZLE measures 14 inches by 14 inches when complete! Students match up simple square roots to demonstrate understanding of simplifying radicals. Works great as a pairs activity, an anchoring activity, or even, at this size, as an interactive bulletin board to display in the classroom (which is why I designed it in the first place - to print on card stock, laminate, and velcro the pieces to a bulletin board). This is nice to display even before teaching students about square roo
Preview of BINGO Translating Algebraic Variable Expressions and Word Phrases

BINGO Translating Algebraic Variable Expressions and Word Phrases

Created by
MathyCathy
Great activity to keep all students engaged while practicing an all-important problem-solving skill. Students randomly select variable expressions from a list, then the teacher describes each expression in words within a problem-solving context. This practice with translating is a key skill to real-world problem-solving! You might also like: Ratios and Rates Graphic Organizer This Solving Equations "Write-Around" Linear Systems Problem Solving with Unique Graphic Organizer! Fractions Pape
Preview of "Write-Around" Solving & Graphing Multi-Step Inequalities ENGAGE ALL STUDENTS!

"Write-Around" Solving & Graphing Multi-Step Inequalities ENGAGE ALL STUDENTS!

Created by
MathyCathy
"Write-Around" is a strategy I enjoy using when Algebra becomes "multi-step"! Groups of no more than 5 students are given these sheets such that every student starts with a different problem. Each student solves ONLY the NEXT step of the problem, passing the paper on to the next person to complete the NEXT step. Detailed instructions are on the top of each of these "Write-Around" sheets. Very often, I will choose one problem from each group to actually grade, warning the students ahead of ti
Preview of Big "G" Gallon - Graphic Relates Gallons, Quarts, Pints, and Cups

Big "G" Gallon - Graphic Relates Gallons, Quarts, Pints, and Cups

Created by
MathyCathy
Here's a visual students won't easily forget! Relate visually that every gallon has: 4 quarts 8 pints 16 cups Use as a reference to help students answer questions like: How many pints are in a quart? How many cups are in a half gallon? Post in your classroom, or copy on colorful paper for students to keep as a reference. For a perplexing look at how much various products cost per gallon, please check out my "How Much Per GALLON?" activity! Enjoy!
Preview of QR Code "Find 'N Fix" Error Analysis Bundle - Students LOVE "Grading" Papers!

QR Code "Find 'N Fix" Error Analysis Bundle - Students LOVE "Grading" Papers!

Created by
MathyCathy
A twist on error-analysis, these problems have already been "worked out by other students." YOUR students have the privilege of "grading" each paper, identifying errors, and providing constructive feedback. Some problems are correct, but other's aren't... can your students tell the difference? Additionally, each problem has a QR code which can be scanned for hints. For example, correct problems' QR codes state a text message that the problem is already correct; incorrect problems' QR codes d
Preview of Classifying Numbers in the Real Number System Graphic Organizer and Activity

Classifying Numbers in the Real Number System Graphic Organizer and Activity

Created by
MathyCathy
Just as many of us have nicknames, numbers are often classified by several names. This graphic organizer and activity will help clarify the different number systems and how they relate. Get students involved in the sorting process with a classifying activity that can be used with individual students, cooperative groups, even student presentations and explanations. Teacher notes and answer key are included. Enjoy!
Preview of Pythagorean Theorem - Squares and Triangles Hands-On Lab and Discovery

Pythagorean Theorem - Squares and Triangles Hands-On Lab and Discovery

Created by
MathyCathy
We want our students to understand where the Pythagorean Theorem comes from, rather than seeing it as a rule only. For years, I’ve pieced together resources to provide this sort of hands-on experience for my students. Consider this hands-on lab a fine-tuned version based on my students’ needs that I hope streamlines the exploration for your own students. Teacher notes, a sample key, and necessary resources are included. Enjoy!
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About the store

Experience

I've never been able to stick with the textbook...! I have over 20 years of experience teaching mathematics to middle and high school students, as well as serving as a Math Coach. In these roles, I impacted thousands of students and their teachers in one of Pennsylvania's largest districts. In 2012, I relocated to Austin, Texas, where I've taught Math 8, Math 8 Accelerated, RTI Math, and Algebra I in a 1:1 iPad classroom. Check out my blog for classroom happenings! http://www.mathycathy.com

Teaching style

My high-energy teaching style and commitment to engaging all learners ensure a variety of instructional techniques and materials. The resources I create evolve based on my students' specific needs and my goal of keeping them engaged and excited about mathematics. Rather than keeping all the classroom fun to myself, I take pride in sharing these classroom-tested resources here on TPT so that students around the world can benefit. I hope you can sense my dedication as you explore the diverse materials I've posted here with your own aspiring mathematicians!

Awards & shining teacher moments

I'm so proud to be a math educator! To explore some of my accolades, visit this Media & Mentions list, which features published articles and video media of news stories and keynote addresses at a variety of professional conferences. I'm especially proud of my ShadowCon talk at NCTM - it's a great place to start on this list! https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/137ay9dShzcYDn8bB3wCIjjZ2sYucGwR0PG_4nZeKg04/edit?usp=sharing

My own education history

I received my Bachelor of Science in Education at Clarion University of Pennsylvania, majoring in Secondary Education/Mathematics. I received my Master of Science in Education from Wilkes University in Classroom Technology.

Additional biographical information

Middle school mathematics is my greatest passion! I began my teaching career in Pennsylvania, working exclusively with 7th graders for six years. I also taught SAT Preparation courses through Penn State Lehigh Valley and worked with potential first-generation college students in a Saturday and summer program, also through Penn State. Over the years, I have engaged in extensive private math tutoring with students ranging from grades 6 through 12. After a three-year period as a stay-at-home mom, I returned to full-time teaching as a math coach/specialist, collaborating with teachers and students across three middle schools in one of Pennsylvania's largest school districts. In 2012, I moved to Austin, Texas, where I currently teach 6th, 7th, and 8th graders (and occasionally a few accelerated 5th or 4th graders) in my own 1:1 iPad classroom. I admit it — I can’t *just* stick with a textbook! Since the beginning of my career, I have consistently developed my own educational materials tailored to meet student needs, enhance engagement, foster dialogue, and promote conceptual understanding. Many of these effective resources are available here on TPT. Thank you for stopping by!