The Foundation of Math Beyond Math
Facts
Pre-Algebra(Either 7th
or 8th
Grade)
By Gabe Godfrey
SlideShare
Rationale
The topics learned in Pre-Algebra are the
most important for moving forward in
Math throughout High School and
beyond. The implementation of
technology could provide an added visual
representation of what is going on
regarding slope and particularly rates.
Communicating the information in as
many ways as possible, including the use
of technology, will most likely reach every
student as opposed to losing some of
them using fewer methods of teaching.
Video
Reliability
The sources used are credible. Also the pictures
used are either from the sources or found on google
images under free to use and share.
Internet Blog
http://tellier.edublogs.org/
Using the work of other teachers multiplies
the perspectives of how to teach the topics
helping the students!
2>1
https://www.khanacademy.org/math/pre-algebra
https://www.khanacademy.org/math/pre-
algebra/rates-and-
ratios/rates_tutorial/v/usain-bolt-s-average-
speed
The first is general while the
second brings to a specific
example.
Additional Internet Source
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3dFHt9p5W8
This link shows the correct way to do
many of the commonly misunderstood
arithmetic parts of what students are
expected to do.
Internet Teaching Tools
http://espn.go.com/
ESPN is the worldwide leader in sports and has
statistics for most if not all sports.
http://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/chart/
Box Office Mojo is owned by Amazon and tracks
box office revenue.
https://www.opencongress.org/people/compare?utf8=%E
This compares the voting of any two members of
congress or any two representatives.
Kidspiration
The purpose of using this visual aid and others like it
would be to reinforce the understanding that students
have for fractions. These within other topics tend to
frustrate students because they believe them to be
hard. I think that students just need to see how easy
they can be instead of being frustrated all of the way
through it.
http://www.inspiration.com/kidspiration-math-examples
Online Teaching Materials
http://www.mathgoodies.com/puzzles/
•Crosswords
•Word Search
https://www.teachingchannel.org/videos/graphing-linea
•Kinesthetic
http://www.thegreatmartinicompany.com/algebra/e
quations-random.html
•Online Flashcards
Technology Resource
http://www.aplusmath.com/Games/index.html
This website offers students the opportunity to
reinforce their skills that should have been
previously covered mostly concerning math facts.
Using this resource instead of class time allows for
more progress while actually in class which is
always better.
Online Book
http://www.classzone.com/cz/books/pre_alg/book_h
ome.htm
(select Connecticut and then pre-algebra)
This website has PowerPoints and eWorkbook for
each chapter of the pre-algebra book. This could be
beneficial if the student is using the book because it
is similar, and it is good if they do not use the same
book because the students could get extra practice.
Online Projects
http://www.curriki.org/xwiki/bin/view/Coll_mackzoor
e/ForStudents_1
(hit cancel unless desiring an account)
This is a great source for finding project ideas for
each unit. I would have to create an account, but it
seems to be very worthwhile to have projects to go
along with the more traditional learning.
Twiducate
http://www.twiducate.com/
As students become more and more engrossed in
technology, I think that some sort of social media
outlet that is school based is a good idea rather
than some more formal online connection. It could
present an atmosphere that is a more relaxed
while still being academic.

MAT Technology Modules Math

Editor's Notes

  • #5 This blog says it is under the Common Core. Thus I am assuming that this teacher and I would be covering similar topics no matter where he is teaching. Therefore, students can use this resource as well as my own resources to practice. I think using other teacher’s practice problems would allow for the students to get different problems to work on and simply more practice which is important. I might also start my own blog like this because it seems like a great way to look back and review what has already been done as well.
  • #6 Khan Academy can be another resource for students to be able to practice topics more. This way, a student does not have to meet with the teacher and can access it from their home. The student can find their class and search through the topics that they are currently working on or previous or even what is coming up if they want an edge. I think that the teacher should observe things like this to make the student’s navigation of the website even easier.
  • #7 The point of this video is to give the students the information about different ways of manipulating numbers, but also a resource to go back to if needed instead of searching through notes. I would say that youtube videos in general can be yet another great way to get extra practice for challenging material. I think that the teacher should search ahead of time in order to title the current topics such that they are easier to search for.
  • #8 These three sources provide many statistical categories that can easily be used as examples in class regarding rates and other pre algebra topics. Using these could help to relate to the students if they are particularly interested in sports. The other link could be for those that enjoy going to the movies and are not as into sports. The final one can put a political spin on statistics, and could open the door for interdisciplinary activities. The point here is that you can do statistical analysis with any data that you want. So why not have it relate to your students’ interests?
  • #9 I think a lot of what needs to be done in a pre algebra class is reinforcement of old material like this should be. However, it also needs to be about the foundation for the future, and that foundation is more secure when students are confident about dealing with all kinds of mathematical representations including fractions. This particular visual could be used as an initial example in the reviewing of fraction addition and subtraction. The two problems could be put on the board for the students to work on first, and then this would act as a supplement to understanding what is going on with the parts of a whole that fractions are. This visual helps in understanding because it is plan to see that not all 8 spots are filled and the two colors clearly show that it is 3+2. The other part shows that when you have 4 and take away 2 of the five parts, you have 2 left. Essentially, this is so the class can see what is going on behind the numbers making it more real for them.
  • #10 The crosswords and word searches are for the students to get used to the vocabulary that will be dealt with throughout the course and particularly during the current unit. Knowing the vocabulary helps when the teacher has to explain new things because the teacher will not have to spend time explaining what could have been understood already. There are vocabulary tests that can be done where when a word already covered comes up, the teacher asks the class or picks a student to provide its definition. Kinesthetic learning seems like the learning that students enjoy more than busy work at a desk because they can get up and move around for a change! I plan to incorporate many kinesthetic activities similar to what the video showed because a visual and physical representation of numbers and equations makes the topic that much more real. The flashcards are simply for practice and I realize that this is not the only practice out there, but this could be one of the many that I make available for my students. The point of these four was to do something different from the usual worksheet after worksheet after worksheet form that math can sometimes take on. I do not think that method promotes learning so changing up the delivery of the material keeps the students interested and engaged.
  • #14 This could be accompanied by https://www.edmodo.com/ if there is a need for parents to be directly involved in the conversation as well. However, they are not in the classroom and the way that they can help on twiducate is to look on with their child if need be. I think that this is a great way to give homework reminders and for the students to ask questions with student responses instead of responses just coming from the teacher through email.