Tool #9 - skype in the classroom

Skype could be used between classes at the same school. With our ActivBoards and Document Cameras (which can be used as a WEB camera), students can share solutions and communicate problems between classes. Imagine students creating word problems for the other class to solve. The students could skype to share the problems, and share how they solved it. This can be done within the same grade level as well as different grade levels. This can be done with other classes in the district.

With the use of our ActiveBoards, screen casts can be used to show how a problem was solved step by step.

I read the problem first and created a solution sentence (screen shot). I then made my unit bar (screen shot). After I made my unit bar, I read the problem in chunks and place the numbers in the correct place on the unit bar (screen shot). I decided what operation(s) to use to solve the problem (screen shot). I solved the problem and checked to see if I was correct by using an opposite operation (screen shot). I placed the answer in my original solution sentence (screen shot).

If our students can communicate how they solve problems, and be confident in their processes... If our students can see how their peers reached the solution an gain new knowledge... If our students can share with others and be proud of their work... then at the end of the day, we have given them the opportunity to get closer to success.

Tool #2

Lets see. I have yet to comment on any blogs, but I did choose 5 to follow. I am not going to say it was a random pick. Some I chose for content. Some I chose for design. Some I just... Okay, some were random. I saw some great template designs and realized my blog looks boring. I may have to "fix" - "modify" -"bedazzle" - "spruce" - my blog up a bit. I have only been doing this for 5 days. I still have time.

I will edit this and add more when I make the comments.

Tool #8

Yes... I am still skipping tasks.

Below are links to two videos from teacher tube. They are not the best quality.

AbbAbbot_and_Costello_Maths_Problemot_and_Costello_Maths_Problem
Pa Kettle teaches Math

The above math videos are similar in that the "wrong thinking" characters use the same incorrect justifications for division, multiplication and repeated addition to prove their points. They are pretty much the same videos with different characters and numbers.

Math communication is important. Our kids need to be able to communicate what they have learned. They need to be able to express their thinking using mathematical language and justifications.

Even though the characters were wrong in the video, they can express their thinking. Once our kids express, we can help them by correcting their thinking or pushing them further to communicate even more.

Here's a challenge (not meant for students who have yet to master these concepts for it will confuse them more).
Watch the videos and try to understand the incorrect justifications. Why are they incorrect? What is the correct thinking? Is there a relationship between the numbers used in the videos? Will the incorrect justifications work with other numbers? Which ones? Why?

ex. 24 divided by 4 is equal to 15. If you apply their rules,15 times 4 equals 24 and 15+15+15+15=24. IT'S WRONG, yes, but there is a rule and a pattern to this.

Let me know how it goes.

Tool #10-Apps

Yes, I am skipping around in my tools. I went ahead and did tool 10, and as an added challenge, I am doing this from my iPhone.

Looking at the pic below of my iPhone screen, you will see two blog apps at the bottom. They both cost money. The blog writer didn't work ($1.99). The BlogPress is what I am using now ($2.99) and it seems to be working.





Now on to the actual assignment... Education Apps.
The screen above shows many of the math apps I have been playing with.
- Find Sums is an amazing app for primary. There are two modes- part part whole or apples in a 10 frame. You can increase the numbers, but this helps with the idea of 10ness (being able to look at a number and understand what number is needed to get to 10)











- Zen of 10 also helps with 10ness. On this app, you are timed to clear the screen of numbers. You have to touch two numbers at the same time that equal 10.







- Math Dice - This app is not about 10ness but rather looking at numbers and deciding what operation (addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division) to choose based on the dice rolled to clear your board.












The screen above shows a 5 and 2 rolled. I can make 7 by adding, but I already cleared my 7. I can subtract to clear my 3 or multiply to clear my 10. This app is for upper elementary, and it will help the kids see numbers and know the possible operations to use in order to win.

These are my apps. I think some of them were paid, but we'll figure that out.

I hope this post works.

Salas
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Tool #3 and the other half

I attached my Animoto to the top of my blog. All I did was download pictures of numbers and arranged them, then used the Animoto provided music. Your kids could do this when they are learning about skip counting, prime numbers, factors or just about anything else. 30 second clips are free, or you can have unlimited for $30.00 a year. It was fun, quick and cheap.

Tool # 3 1/2

This is my Wordle. Still have to do a picture mash-up of some sort. I skipped tool 2 since my account is still being set up. I'll respond to those questions later. I think they said I should be set up in 3 days.

Wordles have uses. I made one of some of the vocabulary needed for addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Our kids need practice with vocabulary in a variety of ways... especially ELLs. Imagine a math workstation where they have to go and create a wordle on vocabulary over a certain topic (not daily, but every now and then) or make a Voki that tells a word problem they created. We need our students to communicate math. We need our kids writing in math... reading in math...sharing and being participating learners in math.

Hi... I am the new math SIS at Hollibrook. Nice to meet you.

Tool #1

Well... that was fun. Lets see.
I didn't know I had created an account on Blogger before. Who knew?
It's almost the end of July and I just got started. Hmmmmmm... we'll see. I have time.

Visit
http://www.mathtappers.com
to see some amazing math app downloads for iTouch, iPhone or iPad.

The Voki...or Wookie... or whatever that is was okay, but there are other Avatar engines out there. I just found a Super Hero Avatar Creator - http://marvel.com/create_your_own_superhero. I'll try to see how I'd look with muscles. Nah!!!

This is a link to Model Drawing word problems. http://www.sde.com/success-systems/wordproblems.asp

On to Tool #2. It's Thursday. Let's see how far I can get this weekend.