My Other Math Sites
Lessons From the Classroom
Math Worksheets
I often create worksheets for my students, even though every district-adopted math curriculum we've had has worksheets for students. I do this for two reasons:
I sometimes want to teach differently than what the curriculum writing team was thinking.
There's a particular structure/scaffold that reflects how I see the content can unfold for learners.
Here's a sequence of practice questions for my 8th graders on rigid transformations.
Everything about this is intentional.
Item #1 is a completed sample of what's to come. This is a practice worksheet, not a problem-solving task, so I will be clear about what is expected.
I remove certain parts in item #2, while keeping it similar to item #1.
Item #3 comes before item #4 because I think it's easier to follow the stated transformations than to say what they are.
Item #6 asks for more flexibility but with an ending constraint.
Item #7 opens up the problem and allows for peer exchange.
It's esthetically easier for me to create the questions on Google Slides. I then do screenshots to toss them onto a Google Doc. Here's a screenshot of questions for 7th graders on percent change. Here's a screenshot of questions for 6th graders on ratios and rates. If you'd like copies of these:
Yes, each of these takes one unit of shit-ton of time, especially when I have to look up real products with real numbers. But it's an OCD thing too, as in If-I-can-make-it-better-I-will. Stay safe, everyone.
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.