Student Centered Mathematics
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BOWLING GREEN, Kentucky, United States
About the store
I have taught math for 11 years in Warren County Schools teaching both in middle schools and in high school. I have participated in several projects that partnered with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation including the Mathematics Design Collaborative. I am a master teacher on Betterlesson.com crafting an entire 8th grade curriculum which is available for free to download. I am also a common core advocate with Achieve the Core. Prior to teaching, I earned a marketing degree and worked in the children's wear division of Fruit of the Loom managing licensed character products.
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Standard
Distributive Property and Factoring by Area Model
Help students to make connections between distributive property and geometry through the use of area models (area of rectangles). Using visual models to demonstrate the distributive property helps struggling learners understand conceptually. Algebraic thinkers need visual models to help them make connections between expressions and geometric models. Using area models to organize distributive property also gives students another option (besides FOIL) when multiplying two binomials and factorin
7th - 8th
Algebra, Basic Operations
Quiz Quiz Trade Cards - Steps in Solving Two Step Equations
One of the focuses of 7th grade equations is fluency in solving two step equations. One of my classes is having trouble with fluency so I made these quiz, quiz, trade cards for this class.
You print the cards front to back so the equation for card 1 is on the front and the two steps needed to solve for x are on the back of the card. Do this for all the cards in the set. Each student gets a card to begin the quick activity that I have been using as bellwork. Students hold up the card to an
6th - 9th
Algebra, Math, Mental Math
CCSS
6.EE.B.7
, 7.EE.B.4a
, 8.EE.C.7b
Color By Numbers Change Standard Form Linear Equations into Slope Intercept Form
Make practice fun for artistic students my using a color by numbers format. Students solve for y to change standard form linear equations into slope intercept form and then color the picture according to the answer key. I use this in class just to break up the type of practice and assessment. You can score these quickly at a glance to assess your students' knowledge of solving literal equations. Also works well on a day you have a substitute and need practice that can also serve as a formati
8th - 9th
Algebra, Graphing, Math
CCSS
HSA-CED.A.4
, HSA-REI.C.5
, HSA-REI.C.6
 +1
Zip Lining Slope Between to Points Lab Activity
Goal: understand slope conceptually and calculate slope through any two points.
How do you plan to make the ratio of rise to run hands on and visual for students? How about by asking them to create zip lines? In this activity students will work in teams to create fast and slow zip lines using fishing line, paper clips, and any toy you can hang from the clip. Students will experiment with the ratio of rise to run as they must use the entire piece of wire for every zip line run meaning the onl
7th - 10th
Algebra, Math, Other (Math)
Ping Pong Ball Launcher Project and Rubric
This project combines the mathematics of slope with percent grade and angle of elevation. Then, students apply the science process of engineering to design and tinker with a launcher that demonstrates the physics of projectiles and parabolic curves.
I am using this project during my linear equations in two variables unit to re-enforce the concept of slope and make connections to right triangle trig - Tangent. The next unit for my students is functions and we study linear, quadratic, and expon
8th - 10th
Algebra, Engineering, Geometry
Statistical Research Project and Paper - Let Students Choose the Topic
We know that reading and writing are important skills for any discipline or career. Bring some real-world research experience to your advanced 8th grade classroom or high school math class by teaching them how to apply statistics. Students will have choice in determining the topic of their research project and students may work individually or in small groups to complete the assignment. Through real world application of statistics students will gain valuable experience with writing and readin
8th - 11th
Algebra, Applied Math, Statistics
CCSS
8.SP.A.1
, 8.SP.A.2
, 8.SP.A.3
 +4
Olympic Anti-Doping Statistics Research
The illegal use of Human Growth Hormone to dope athletes is in the news with professional and Olympic athletes on a regular basis. I created this statistics activity to capitalize on student curiosity with this illegal action in particular with the Winter Olympic ban of Russian athletes in South Korea. Students explore which regression model - linear, exponential, quadratic - is the best fit (Hint: exponential is the best fit) while also eating SKITTLES!!! The Skittles represent the body deca
7th - 11th
Algebra, Math, Statistics
CCSS
HSS-ID.B.6
, HSS-ID.B.6a
, HSS-ID.B.6b
 +2
Justifying Steps in Solving Equations Quiz Quiz Trade Cards
These task cards are an excellent way to get students up and moving around the room while having productive conversations about the steps in solving equations. I use these as my bellwork for several days in a row to build automaticity in key skills. Students love the cards and catch on quickly to the process of using the cards which I explain in the video.
Person 1 has a card and quizzes Person 2 then,
Person 2 has a card and quizzes Person 1 then,
They Trade cards and go find a new partner
8th - 11th
Algebra, Algebra 2, Math
CCSS
HSA-REI.A.1
Simple vs. Compound Interest Investment Project
Bring some real world experience to your classroom with this project that turns your students into investment advisors working for clients to reach a 10 year financial goal. Students must choose from a selection of simple and compound investments to develop a sequence of investments that will maximize client growth or return on investment.
I award bonus points for students who can not only meet the client's goal but also earn 51% growth or higher.
I detail the lesson plan in my video but he
8th - 11th
Algebra, Algebra 2, Other (Math)
CCSS
HSF-LE.A.1
, HSF-LE.A.1a
, HSF-LE.A.1b
 +2
Slope Intercept Form Quiz Quiz Trade Cards
These task cards are an excellent way to get students up and moving around the room while having productive conversations about initial amount and rate of change. I use these as my bellwork for several days in a row to build automaticity in key skills. Students love the cards and catch on quickly to the process of using the cards which I explain in the video.
Person 1 has a card and quizzes Person 2 then,
Person 2 has a card and quizzes Person 1 then,
They Trade cards and go find a new partne
7th - 11th
Algebra, Algebra 2, Math
CCSS
7.RP.A.2b
, 7.RP.A.2c
, 8.F.A.1
 +5
Real World Solving Linear Systems using Multiple Representations
In teaching algebraic thinking we want to use multiple representations to engage students in understanding a situation or a solution process. The multiple representations include: Numeric Tables, Algebraic Expressions/Equations, Graphs, and Sentences explaining the situation in words. This activity engages all four representations as student learn to solve real world linear system situations in which the information leads to linear equations written in standard form.
I like to put students
8th - 11th
Algebra, Algebra 2, Other (Math)
CCSS
8.EE.C.8
, 8.EE.C.8a
, 8.EE.C.8b
 +3
Using Forensic Science (Linear Regression) to Play Clue
Use data from a real research study to develop a linear equation used to predict time of death based on core body temperature. Then solve the murder of Mr. Body using your equation. Students love that the data is real and the game is afoot! Watch the video for teaching and group suggestions.
7th - 10th
Algebra, Math, Statistics
CCSS
8.SP.A.1
, 8.SP.A.2
, 8.SP.A.3
 +6
Reading Graphs for Meaning and Calculating Slope
Start this lesson as soon as students walk in by playing the song - "What does the Fox Say?" and you set the tone for the day. What does the graph say when you read it for meaning - rate of change and initial amount?
This lesson is another in a bundle of lessons to teach and re-enforce the meaning of graphs and what we learn from reading linear graphs. Slope is an important part of linear equations and while formulas are fine, understanding is better. Use this one day lesson to help student
7th - 10th
Algebra, Math
CCSS
8.EE.B.5
, HSA-REI.D.10
, HSF-IF.B.6
Creating 3-D Scale Models for Christmas
Bring Scale Models to Life, just in time for the Holidays!!
This project is one I used with my students last year as we learned about similar figures and scale models during our proportional reasoning unit. The really cool part was that the theater in two was presenting "A Christmas Carol" and was happy to feature the top 3 scale models in the lobby throughout the performances. Our local library advisory board judged all the models in round 1 so I could narrow the winners to a top 10 group wh
7th - 10th
Graphic Arts, Math
CCSS
7.G.A.1
Solving Equations with Variables on Both Sides Quiz Quiz Trade Cards
These task cards are an excellent way to get students up and moving around the room while having productive conversations about the steps in solving equations. I use these as my bellwork for several days in a row to build automaticity in key skills. Students love the cards and catch on quickly to the process of using the cards which I explain in the video.
Person 1 has a card and quizzes Person 2 then,
Person 2 has a card and quizzes Person 1 then,
They Trade cards and go find a new partner
7th - 11th
Algebra, Algebra 2, Math
Reviewing Linear Algebra and Geometry
Great lesson for end of the year review of linear algebra combined with connections to transformations in the coordinate plane. Opens the door for great small group and whole group conversations. I used this as an opening activity that took about half the class period.
8th - 9th
Algebra, Geometry, Math
CCSS
8.G.A.1
, 8.G.A.1c
, 8.G.A.4
 +3
Slope Between Two Point
How do you teach calculating slope with the formula y2-y1/x2-x1 while making real world connections to rate of change and the meaning of slope. Use this activity as part of your exploration of slope to connect linear patterns of change in the real world with abstract formulas that are needed for algebra 1 and geometry.
7th - 10th
Algebra, Geometry, Graphing
CCSS
8.F.B.4
, HSF-LE.A.2
, HSF-LE.B.5
Exponential Decay Vignette
The goal of this lesson is to introduce exponential decay functions and build on student knowledge of linear functions with negative slope. Students will examine the structure of a linear function and compare it to the structure of an exponential decay function. The two functions are so closely related that this lesson uses prior knowledge to build new knowledge.
This lesson includes a Kool-Aid lesson opener that runs throughout the activity and teaches students a lesson about exponential dec
9th - 11th
Algebra, Algebra 2, Graphing
CCSS
HSF-LE.A.1
, HSF-LE.A.1a
, HSF-LE.A.1b
 +2
Exponential Growth Vignette
Use student knowledge of linear functions, their pattern and structure, to introduce exponential growth functions. With this activity students will compare linear growth to exponential growth and understand why exponential growth eventually increases faster. Students will use linear patterns to understand exponential patterns as percent increase.
As a lesson opener to this activity - and another means of re-enforcing the concept - I open the class today with the common cold virus papers.
9th - 11th
Algebra, Algebra 2, Graphing
CCSS
HSF-LE.A.1
, HSF-LE.A.1a
, HSF-LE.A.1b
 +3
Function or Not Self Graded Learning Check Quiz
A focus of the functions unit in both 8th grade math and algebra I includes an understanding of the definition of a function. Students need to identify relations that are functions from a table, a list of ordered pairs, and a graph. This learning check is a formative assessment for this learning goal and has the added bonus of student self assessment as the mastery key is included. Student awareness of mastery is far more important than even teacher awareness of student mastery.
8th - 11th
Algebra, Math
CCSS
8.F.A.1
, HSF-IF.A.1
Showing 1-20 of 24 results
About the store
Experience
I have taught math for 11 years in Warren County Schools teaching both in middle schools and in high school. I have participated in several projects that partnered with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation including the Mathematics Design Collaborative. I am a master teacher on Betterlesson.com crafting an entire 8th grade curriculum which is available for free to download. I am also a common core advocate with Achieve the Core. Prior to teaching, I earned a marketing degree and worked in the children's wear division of Fruit of the Loom managing licensed character products.
Teaching style
I try to attain a student centered approach to teaching incorporating small group work into every aspect of my class. Students work daily with partners to discuss math concepts and work through the complexities of mathematics. I also incorporate project based learning in order to give students real world experiences with the application of mathematics. I try not to lecture about how to do math but instead help guide students to make connections between the many skills and concepts that form the discipline of mathematics.
Awards & shining teacher moments
Master Teacher - Better Lesson
Excellence in Teaching Award - Campbellsville University
My own education history
Western Kentucky University
Degree Name Master of Arts in Education Field Of Study Principalship
Dates attended 2008 – 2011
Western Kentucky University
Degree Name Bachelor of Arts (BA) Field Of Study Middle Grades Math Education
Dates attended 2003 – 2006
Western Kentucky University
Bachelor of Science (BS) Field Of Study Marketing
Dates attended 1996 – 2000
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