tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10220498.post4640240464368176897..comments2024-03-21T15:59:25.263-05:00Comments on Math Teacher Mambo: Last Friday Before the "Fake" 1st Week of SchoolShireen Dadmehrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16282965851939089408noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10220498.post-1119525551397589452011-08-13T06:46:35.580-05:002011-08-13T06:46:35.580-05:00They keep thinking they cannot find 2 sides given ...They keep thinking they cannot find 2 sides given 1 side (that's what makes them special).<br /><br />They confuse 3 and sqrt 3 (I explained since they think they are the same number I will borrow $56 and payback %sqrt 56. (They said - wait you'll only pay back $7 = I know - they are not the same number).<br /><br />They overthink it. And they will not memorize. (Oy, what we have done to these kids)<br /><br />I like writing the ratios.Ricochethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12594506449363717006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10220498.post-77485499622385917572011-08-13T05:23:30.441-05:002011-08-13T05:23:30.441-05:00Sounds really creative!
I forgot one extra thing...Sounds really creative! <br /><br />I forgot one extra thing I did. I trained them to RIGHT at the beginning of a problem, when they see it's "special", no matter what information is given, IMMEDIATELY write the "x" ratios around the sides of the triangle. Then, just see which side you have # information for and then solve.<br /><br />So, what specifically are they not getting? Maybe that will give me (you) a hint or a reminder of something else that may work.Shireen Dadmehrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16282965851939089408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10220498.post-64489009324189601422011-08-13T03:48:52.781-05:002011-08-13T03:48:52.781-05:00I did pretty much all of that (except the answer b...I did pretty much all of that (except the answer banks). I even talked about sqrt 2 being an irrational number and one of the first discovered.<br /><br />I talked about leaving the sqrt so you can see the patterns (rather than using the calculator and going for decimal).<br /><br />I was batting this around with a student who gets it but is convinced she doesn't (she thought she failed a quiz - she missed 1 out of 12.)<br /><br />What if I buy 3 colors of chunky yarn this weekend. Cut one piece four feet long or less (My desks face the center because I have boards on both ends and there is about 4 feet between the desks). So, cut three three feet long, two six feet long and take yarn to school.<br /><br />Using a piece six feet long and and one 3 feet long, form a right angle. (the six foot is the long side so too long). Using the second six foot, intersect the long side, cut it, measure it and show it is 3 sqrt 3.<br /><br />Then do the same for 45-45-90.<br /><br />The tiles on the floor will help with right angles but I could tape the floor as well.<br /><br />I am thinking this would help the kinesthetic learner.<br /><br />Still noodling this around.Ricochethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12594506449363717006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10220498.post-28154506914077765112011-08-12T22:03:19.576-05:002011-08-12T22:03:19.576-05:00Hi Ricochet. Have fun with the 8 boxes! ... and wh...Hi Ricochet. Have fun with the 8 boxes! ... and what all do you do for the special rt triangles? I first show them how it comes about, then the ratios, then the fact that they need to memorize them, then a TON of practice of varying difficulties so it gets ingrained in their mind. I found that answer banks on the practice helped a lot because of the immediate feedback. Then more practice. <br /><br />We also have a discussion on the relative sizes of the 3 sides by looks (I make them draw it close to what it is). Then a discussion on the relative sizes of the 3 numbers (ratios of sides) and which is bigger. And link the two.<br /><br />I also take time for them to come up with memory tools of how to remember what. Then we share as a class.<br /><br />That's what I seem to remember on how I approach it. Is that what you were looking for?Shireen Dadmehrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16282965851939089408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10220498.post-30861446031586902672011-08-12T18:40:58.698-05:002011-08-12T18:40:58.698-05:00Sigh - eight boxes of paper I never got unpacked o...Sigh - eight boxes of paper I never got unpacked over the summer. Sitting in my room. Waiting on me.<br /><br />Do you have any suggestions for teaching special right triangles? They don't get it.Ricochethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12594506449363717006noreply@blogger.com