Our math department has implemented some new teaching methods this year. It's been a little hectic. We have redone our curriculum, reordering topics and subdividing the topics into targets and units instead of sections and chapters. We have also included more activities in a lesson than we had previously. I incorporate several Brain Break activities in a unit. I also now require my students to keep a "math dictionary." The math dictionary consists of notecards, all hole punched, and kept together with a binder ring. The notecards included theorems, postulates, definitions, and other important information from the targets. The binder ring allows the students to keep the cards in alphabetical order. My goal for the dictionary is that the students will consult the dictionary to remember key terms and steps rather than automatically asking me (this also helps because we do not use a textbook). All of these changes have made a lot more planning than normal. I have to say, however, that things are going rather well! The students seem to enjoy the notecards and the activities that we do. I have also noticed how quickly the time passes in class and because of this, there also seems to be less discipline issues so far.
So, after a long absence, I hope to be back sharing the experiences of my new year. Thus far, it seems like it is going to be great!
If you are looking for great ideas for the beginning days of a school year, check out Miss Calculates blog!
