Google Classroom

Falling behind on #MTBoS30 already!

Here's my excuse. 

I'm loving Google Classroom. We have effectively gone nearly paperless by doing warm-ups, weekly PoWs, problem solving, almost anything and everything in Classroom. I appreciate the efficiency of organizing folders and the seamless integration with Google Drive. I still have a lot to learn, but I'm excited with how we're using Classroom already.

I put a visual pattern in Google Draw for students to mark up the pattern and figure out the equation.

Students complete a Google doc for other warm-ups.

Here's one we just started today.Students do PoWs (from NCTM The Math Forum) in Classroom, and I can give them feedback directly on there.

We save valuable class time by posting answers to textbook problems in Classroom.

You get the idea. I would love to learn how you use Classroom! Please share in the comments or hit me up on Twitter @fawnpnguyen.

Teacher Appreciation

Today I remember my 7th grade home economics teacher Mrs. Quiggle. Marge Quiggle. She was already old when she was my teacher. I didn't speak a whole lot of English then, but I suppose one does not need to be well versed in the language to sew a sundress or make a baked Alaska. A couple of months ago I started sewing again, and I thought about Mrs. Quiggle a lot, how she made me press open every seam before continuing on.

Then there was Mr. Anderson. He was my 8th grade social studies teacher. I had a crush on him. I don't know why because he was not particularly handsome. I worked extra hard to submit an extra awesome book report on Nigeria. Before I moved away (leaving Minnesota for Oregon), he gave me a picture of him standing next to his wife. Nobody cared about his wife of course, but he was my favorite.

Today I'm also reading my 6th graders' responses to this warm-up. The answer is there are 30 days left of school.

The Shoe Sale

This problem is from Peter Liljedahl's site.

The Shoe Sale

You decide to take advantage of a buy 2 pair get 1 pair of equal or lesser value for free sale at the local shoe store. The problem is that you only want to get two pairs of shoes. So, you bring your best friend with you to the store. After much deliberation you settle on two pairs of shoes – a sporty red pair for $20 and a dressy black pair for $55. You friend finds a practical cross trainer for $35. When you proceed to the check out desk the cashier tells you that your bill is $90 plus tax (the $20 pair are for free). How much should each of you pay? Justify your decision.

Peter lists this problem under "Senior High School (10-12)." I give it to both my 6th and 8th graders. I like this problem because I like hearing how kids think about "fair sharing." A few 6th graders think each person should pay $45. I don't think these kids have too many friends. (That was mean.)

One of my 6th graders says one person should pay 2/3 of the $90 and the friend pays 1/3. But her answers are $59.40 and $29.60, respectively. My math says 2/3 of 90 is 60, so I call her up to explain. She has her calculator in hand, and I see her punch in .66 while mouthing "two thirds."

It was an opportunity for me to yell and scream at the children for turning a perfectly good number of 2/3 into mush.