This is a 3-Act lesson. It involves systems of linear equations to model a physical situation. (This could be thought of an extension of the cup-stacking activity that has been around for some time. However, I think this lesson can be done without the original, one-stack lesson.)
Apr 01
Study plan tips for studying for exams
http://faculty.wiu.edu/JR-Olsen/wiu/stu/m100/LEG-UP/studyplan.htm
You can earn a LEG UP coupon for creating a study plan and study materials and showing them to Dr. Olsen (within a week after the exam).
- Exam II
- Exam III
You can earn a LEG UP coupon for having your notebook organized and have it contain a typed cover page.
Mar 23
Spotting Numbers and Visual Patterns
Here a two great websites that provide lots of great pattern problems.
[this website hasn’t been functional lately – too bad! – Spotting Numbers – interactive, does require Java.]
Visual Patterns – less interactive, (no Java needed).
These patterns can be used with elementary students (if you just ask number questions) through advanced algebra (if you include questions about functions).
Mathematics is often described as the study of patterns. That is exactly what Spotting Numbers and Visual Patterns do.
The interplay of geometry and numbers and algebraic thinking in these questions puts the learner squaring at the core of mathematical reasoning. Quite frankly, it doesn’t get much better than this! (OK, my opinion.)
Questions to Ask
Here are some questions. As a general rule, For Elementary: a-b; Middle School: a-d; Algebra: a-e
a. How many *** are in next figure?
b. How many *** are in next figure after that?
c. How many *** are in pattern n = 10?
d. How many *** are in pattern n = 43?
e. Generalize: How many *** are in pattern n?
Feb 06
Ways to Understand a Problem
Attached is a list of 25 way to understand a problem. This is the first step in the 4-step Problem-Solving Process.
Students often have only two methods 🙁 Reread the Problem and Ask the teacher. They need to learn there are other ways to go about understanding a problem.
- ……examples…..
- Determine what is to be found.
- Underline/highlight important parts.
- Discuss with a classmate or friend.
- Understand the limitations of the problem (what’s legal).
- Make a diagram.
- Consider the units.
- …….
Ways to Understand a Problem (<<click here [Word])
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