We're doing a short unit on parametric equations in precalculus, and yesterday I borrowed an idea from Foerster (how creative IS this person?) and was having them figure out the equations to draw all sorts of ice cream cones, cylinders, hemispheres, etc. I gave a little prep talk, and then handed them a sheet that had a great example and a definition of ellipse equations, and set them on their merry ways.
Well. How many times did I have questions and such about how to work the equation? How many times did I explain and walk them through how to read the definition and interpret what things meant/did? How quickly did I change my prep talk for my second (last & favorite) period?
So I think I'll be doing more of this where they have to learn how to read a math text. How scary would it be for them to graduate and be deficient in this way.
I'm guessing "lots of times" and "pretty darn quick" are good answers to those questions.
ReplyDeleteHow old are the kids you're teaching? I know it's 8th year, but I don't know what age range of kids that is.
Of course, I might have misread what 8th year meant, and it might be the 8th year you've taught. :)
Oh ... I have 11th and 12th graders, you know, those goofy ones that can't read a math text. I mean, really.
ReplyDeleteMs. Cookie
Student has make a plans on this day. Specially those student which are need to be make his life more enjoyable. So becuase of this fact on free day student enjoy his life more and more.
ReplyDeleteThanks...
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