Content Area: 8th Grade Mathematics
Unit of Study: Algebra I
Post #3 Due Date October 20, 2012
S.O.S. Math
S.O.S. Math is a helpful website for eighth grade students who are taking Algebra I. This site has many practice problems on specific topics which are related to Algebra I. The sections have a topic that you can click to get sample problems that are related to that topic. A student can try solving the problems on their own and then check the answers by clicking on the solution. If a student only wants to practice problems in a subtopic listed under the topic, then just click on the subtopic name. With the solutions, a detailed explanation is given and you can look at more problems or test yourself. This is a good way to get more practice on an algebra lesson. [Review by Sonia Z.]
S.O.S. Mathematics. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.sosmath.com/algebra/algebra.html
Article: Reading, Math, and Grit
The article, "Reading, Math, and Grit" by Joe Nocera, talks of the upcoming election and how education is on the debate but falls short of a target audience. Once that was said, the rest of the article focused on a book, "How Children Succeed" by Paul Tough. This book follows the pedagogy of learning styles in the way of looking at a students character to build lessons. It is an interesting article regarding what our school systems need to incorporate to teach to the students that may not think college is not in their future. Take a read and tell me what you think of this article?
Nocera, J. (2012, September 7). Reading, math and grit. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/08/opinion/nocera-a-ray-of-hope-in-education.html?_r=0
Video of Mathmaticious
This video contains a rap of some of the algebraic functions that you may find in 8th grade. At first, this seems to be just a silly way of portraying math. However, this is one type of character trait that will help to retain information. Students are much more likely to remember a formula or process in math by having the details set to a rhyme or a rap. Have fun watching the video but then take a moment to think about what math terms you may be able to set to music. [Review Sonia Z.]
Sumersetinc. (2008, March 13). Mathmeticious. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6cAs1YBELmA
Building Resilience in Children and Teens continues the idea of this blog regarding character in learning. This book talks about the perseverance that is missing from our youth today. With all learning, a student needs to be engaged but much of what we see in classrooms today, can be boredom from the information that is being taught, especially in regards to mathematics. This book has some good information about the "Whys" and "Hows" to bring resilience back into our young adults to use with their school work and in life. [Review Sonia Z.]
Ginsberg, K. (2011, April 1). Building resilience in children and teens: Giving kids roots and wings. Retrieved from http://books.google.com/books/about/Building_Resilience_in_Children_and_Teen.html?id=XQJwcgAACAAJ
I'm completely in love with the Mathamticious video. Perhaps it's my inner dork at work, but I found the video to be fun and engaging (just like you described). I especially like that it makes math seem so accessible, something many kids struggle with. I also appreciate that you asked reader to then think about how they could set math to their own songs, which is indeed a great recall trick! I only wish that you had the reference posted so that I could send the link to my math teacher.
ReplyDeleteJust finished listening to this video and I love it. I think most of your Math students will feel the same way. What a great way for them to remember a lot of Math and they will find it fun. This video will have some of your students want to make their own Math video!
ReplyDelete