You Have Impressed Me!

Great teamwork, students! I love reading your comments on the posts. Now, for a bit more.....

Please go back and read your classmates comments. Simply click on "Comments" at the end of a post. Read some of your classmates comments and then pick 2 to comment back on! Add to the discussion. Also, consider these follow on questions to when you're reading others comments....

What ideas did a classmate have that you did not have? What surprised you about others' comments? How important is it to communicate really clearly when writing and speaking? How does accuracy in math play into accuracy in communication? I look forward to reading your work again! Keep checking in over the next 3 weeks for more posts and more questions.

How Great a Math Web Site Can Be

The following link is to a math site written by a math teacher at a local high school. I really enjoy visiting his site, especially for our AP Statistics class. Take a look and tell me what you think. What do you like about it? Would you like a site like this at RMHS?

http://www.bbn-school.org/us/math/ap_stats/

Spring Math Matters

What a winter! Here in greater Boston (Reading, MA) we are just emerging from a winter of record-setting snowfall. In fact, there is still a small patch of old snow stuck in the very back of my yard! We have longed for, yearned for SPRING! Other signs of spring...our seniors are making firm plans about next year. Many know which college they are attending and why. Our freshman, sophomores and juniors have completed their course selections for next year here at RMHS. Me? I'm still very much entrenched in teaching this year's curricula with an eye to improvements for next year. Students, I would appreciate it if you would please read these questions, reflecta minute or two, and comment back to this blog. Let's hear what you have to say... Question 1: What topic in math this year surprised you? Did it surprise you b/c you ended up liking it alot, or did it surprise you b/c it was hard and now you know it? Think...what surprised you and why? Question 2: Whether in math or anything else in your school life, what will you you do differently next year? Why? What changes will you make? Students, you are great to have in class. We're entering 4th quarter with a great deal to proud of. Let's keep on, keepin' on!

Why Does Quality Matter?

As a math teacher I am often asking students to be more accurate, draw figures carefully with a ruler, re-do problems done incorrectly...and on. Why? Why does quality matter so much?

Why is it so important to be precise? Not only in calculations but also in writing in math class? Why do the definitions matter? Why does the exact wording and meaning matter?

Please leave a comment in answering these questions. Think about it first and then tell me what you think.

Examples of Student Work

Over 100 students across five classes and two teachers recently completed an Honors Geometry Project here at RMHS. Mrs. LaCasse and I are very proud of the work accomplished by our students. The students were teamed up into groups of three to produce well-designed, math-rich products. The topic? The Golden Ratio. (See the following post for details.) Each group was given a project assignment focusing on art, architecture, nature or the human body. The assignement asked essential questions and expected collaborative, research and synthesis. Our students did not disappoint!! Here are links to two examples of fine work! Enjoy!

http://docs.google.com/present/edit?id=0AU6gAGrdV3QzZGhqenNrZ181OTl2emhzdmdt&hl=en

http://docs.google.com/present/edit?id=0AU6gAGrdV3QzZGhqenNrZ18zMXF6a3JtZGNz&hl=en

http://docs.google.com/present/edit?id=0Abo428bR_jyWZGZyeGZqd3hfMzVjMjhnaGZrNg&hl=en

Of Fibonacci, Geometry and Projects

This week, our Honors Geometry classes are working in teams of three to develop a project. The topic? THE GOLDEN RATIO in Nature, Architecture, Art and the Human Body. This week, I will post examples of exemplary student work on this blog. Fascinating topic!! We truly hope our students learn about the beauty of math and the power of the Fibonacci sequence and the Golden Ratio.

1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89 ...

Interested in learning a little more at this time? The following two links provide short but interesting perspectives.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2bAlIK4KkE&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_w19BTB5ino&feature=related

Pancakes and Seniors

Here are some photos from our AP Stats and AP Biology classes. We shared a pancake breakfast on one of the last day of classes ... Enjoy!