The more concrete we can make algebra, the better students will understand abstract concepts. Algebra tiles provide students a hands-on approach to learning algebraic thinking and concepts of algebra. If you are brand new to algebra tiles, these pointers will help get you started. GETTING STARTED WITH ALGEBRA TILES 1. Make a Plan for Managing Algebra Tiles Routines and procedures ...
6 Instructional Strategies to Try in Algebra 1
When I started teaching high school, I taught how I was primarily taught: lecturing followed by time to work on homework. However, my students were off task and not mastering concepts like I had hoped. After discussing this problem with my assistant principal, she encouraged me to channel my previous middle school experience and engage high school students in similar ways. Students want ...
Test Prep Cheat Sheets for the Algebra Classroom
It is never too early to start preparing for the testing season. Early May will be here before you know it! We thought it might be helpful to provide you with a free resource -- Math End-of-the-Year Review cheat sheets for 6th, 7th, and 8th -- and now for Algebra! Basically, we put the most important content for each grade level on one page. We hope it can be another tool for you ...
Algebra 1 EOC Cheat Sheet for Teachers
Whenever it was time to begin reviewing for the STAAR (the state standardized test in Texas), I spent hours planning what I was going to focus on before I even thought about the activities, assessments, or individualized student plans that would fill my daily plans. ALGEBRA 1 EOC STANDARDS CHEAT SHEET FOR TEACHERS You see, knowing what skills to focus on is just as important as ...
Why You Should Use Algebra Tiles
Confession: Manipulatives made me nervous. In my first years as a teacher, I basically ruled out anything that would require additional classroom management, so no algebra tiles would be found in any of my lessons. I think more than anything, though, I didn’t completely understand them. In fact, when I was a student, my teachers didn’t use them, so I didn’t think they were necessary. ...
Making Algebra Relevant
In my years of teaching, I had the opportunity to teach Algebra 1 as an on-level course for 9th grade freshman and as a pre-AP course to 8th grade students. While the two ages and settings (middle school vs. high school) differed, the content remained much the same. As a math teacher, Algebra 1 is the definition of fun! For me, all of the pieces come together, and you have the ...
Desmos Activities to Try in Algebra 1
I am in awe of what a treasure Desmos is! If you are an upper middle school or high school teacher, and you haven’t explored all that Desmos has to offer, run to the website right now. Desmos is a FREE interactive tool used to graph, model, collect data, and question students over collection of higher math concepts including but not limited to the nine topics found below. These ...
Teacher Planner Printables
I have wanted to share with you the tool that helped me stay organized as a teacher since…oh… three years ago. But, I never quite got around to it. (Definitely the mark of an organized person.) “What is this tool?” you might be wondering. TEACHER PLANNER PRINTABLES Scroll down to the bottom to receive your free download. Three years ago, I shared this post about my Flexi. We ...
Books to Read this Holiday Break
Two years ago, I was on the Make Reading Fun Team (not our real name, but that was basically the idea). Our job was to promote the love of reading to our students through donut parties and book exchanges. It was on that team I decided to make it a goal each year to read 24 books. It always helps to have books in the docket so I don’t waste time deciding on my next read. Here are some ...
My Teacher Student Loan Forgiveness Story
It is no secret that teachers aren’t in it for the money. So, during my first year as a teacher, I struggled to make ends meet -- I was planning a wedding, and I was trying to pay my minimum balance for my student loans. I went to a state school where my parents helped me with some of my expenses, but when I graduated, I had around $32,000 in student loan debt. Note: This post will ...
