Conics meets phone cameras and Geogebra

I have an awesome Algebra II class. When we were getting to know each other at the beginning of the semester, I asked for their input on what makes a good learning environment. I expected things like, "Be prepared" "Be Respectful of Others" and similar known classroom expectations. Instead, I got what they expected of me, namely, "Present the topic in exciting ways so everyone gets it." So small order for anyone, let alone a student teacher just learning her stuff. I gave it my best shot.

In one recent effort, we did a scavenger hunt where I sent my students out into the beautiful spring day to find conic shapes (circle, ellipse, hyperbola, parabola) in everyday objects. Once found, they were to take a picture with their phone and send it to the MsA.Algebra2 Flickr account. Then, we met in the library, downloaded the pictures, put them in Geobegra, and found the equations of those shapes, as best we could.

It was a really simple project, but it got everyone engaged in modeling the shapes they found. Most importantly, they got to really see how moving the foci/directrix/vertex impacts the shapes. The questions to "how do I make this narrower/wider/bigger/smaller?" were answered by the students experimenting themselves, while watching the equations change. It was pretty cool.

I was worried about folks not having cameras on their phones, but only 2 people didn't - so they found partners who did. (Only 2!) I worried about my students disturbing other classes, but no reports of that, yet. I worried that Geogebra would have a large learning curve, but my students needed very little instruction - and they started clicking away to figure it out for themselves, anyway. I did use a SMART board (that was fun) to show them how to insert a picture and where to look for the instructions that Geogebra gave for each shape, but once that was given, they were pretty much on their own. They did a lot of teaching each other, which was great on many levels, too.

If we had more time, perhaps we could have put the equations into the standard forms that we had been working with, which would have been pretty difficult, but not impossible. Maybe. Or maybe talked as a class more about what changes as we move the foci/vertex/etc... However, they got to see that all on their own, and not having the teacher come in with the expert knowledge, once again, isn't so bad. Though, I didn't plan for a way to save all those Geogebra models, so they were lost. I would do that differently next time.

Some tech things I learned: Turns out that each Flickr account has a unique email address that you can send pictures to and they automatically get uploaded into the photostream. Students had no problems using this with their cell phones to get the pictures in one place. Once all the pictures are up there, you don't even need to sign into the Flickr account to download the pictures to your computer (if they are marked as public, which is the default). Also, there is no need to download Geogebra - it has a web-based version (just choose the Applet) that shuts off once the browser is closed. (I thought it was interactive, and there is a version that interacts with the web, but there is also a completely web-based version.)

My favorite part was sitting in the library and watching as the Flickr photostream of all these great (and not so great) examples of conic shapes started coming in. I was projecting the photostream, too, so other students in the library would come by and ask why there were pics of the Ford emblem on the screen and I got to say, "Ellipse!"

It was a great time had by all. Go conics!

Here is the link to the photostream, if you want to check it out: http://www.flickr.com/photos/50279388@N04/

Testing...

This week is CSAP (our state mandated tests) and two weeks ago was spring break. What does that mean? Attack of the zombie students! Well, most of them don't actually attack - they just sit there with a slightly dazed look on their face. And then there are a few who will be extra antsy from taking tests and not getting enough sleep.

So, my solution? My efforts earlier this week included a short clip of John Travolta dancing in Saturday Night Fever to illustrate cubic functions (a few raised their heads, but even the Bee Gees can't solve everything). Much more successful was a game of Tic-Tac-Toe Battle Royale as a review of central, interior, and exterior angles. I give many thanks to Dan Greene for this idea that is adaptable to many different content areas! My students livened up a bit with the competition and I think many of them even learned a few things.

Tomorrow I plan getting out the scissors and tape to construct tetrahedra and octahedra, hoping that keeping their hands busy might get their brains in action. For those who weren't inspired by the Bee Gees, I hope Tic Tac Toe Battle Royale to review the properties of exponents will do the trick. Wish me luck!

Throwing my hat into the ring

Last August I took a class on technology in the classroom as part of my teacher training. I read Will Richardson's Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, and Other Powerful Tools for Classrooms and a chapter at a time I began to realize the potential of social networking for me as a new teacher and for students as a forum for learning.

My most wonderful discovery, however, is that math teachers are blogging about achievements and frustrations in their classrooms. People around the country and world are sharing lesson plans and assessment ideas and how-to-use-this-cool-tool-in-the-classroom and I-sang-a-song-to-teach-order-of-operations and much more.

This has been great for a newbie like me for a few reasons. First of all, because I get glimpses of classrooms all over and I see the common struggles. Knowing that other teachers have some of the same questions I have about teaching makes this huge job seem less intimidating. The best part, though, is that I can be inspired by teachers enjoying their students learning. Whenever I have a hard day (and as a student teacher, there have been many of these) I can look into the blogosphere, read someone's shared success, and get a smile on my face.

So, I see it as only fitting that my first effort of blogging be to introduce my MathEduBlog bundle (thanks to Shelly Terrell for the webcast on how to do this!). These aren't all the great blogs out there, but these are a few bloggers who have helped me find courage and spirit those nights when I'm just not feeling up to the job.

Thanks to them. I hope you enjoy them, too.