Across the Hall

This idea is from the Algebra 2 teacher across the hall from my classroom. I will call her "Kerry." "Kerry" is teaching systemsof linear inequalities in her Algebra 2 classes. To answer the question, "When am I ever going to use this?", "Kerry" had her students solve a real-world problem using systems of linear inequalities. What a great way to include real world examples!

As requested

I had a request for more Distributive Property Poster examples. These posters are from the two other math teachers in our department that also did the project. I only have one Algebra 1 class, so these teachers had a lot more posters than I did. Hope you enjoy!

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A Few New Things

Our math department has totally redone our curriculum. The four of us have implemented new activities, new projects, new assessments, etc. One thing that I incorporated this year was the Word Wall. I read about the Word Wall in a book by Tom DeRosa. In my geometry class, the students are required to make a math dictionary using notecards and a loose leaf ring. The students write the important terms from the lesson on the notecards. The loose leaf rings allow the students to put their notecards in alphabetical order at the end of the lesson. Every Wednesday, the students have a quiz in which they define one word from the word wall. The students are not allowed to define a term they have already defined. So far, "Word Wall Wednesday" as I call it, is going well! The Word Wall also helps add some decoration to my classroom.

I also wanted to share this Distribution Property Poster project that we used in Algebra 1. The idea came from another teacher in our mathematics department who got the idea from a former co-worker. Here are the instructions and an example. If you are wondering, those are blue and orange cylinders. Most of the students had good ideas for the posters and several of them were able to show their artistic side, which I also love to see!

I have this obsession...

So, I have a little bit of an obsession with the color pink. If it made sense, I would have everything I own be a shade of pink. Unfortunately, that isn't possible so I settled for the important things in my classroom. The #1 rule in my classroom is, "If it's pink, don't touch it. It's mine." You name it, I have it in pink. Stapler, hole punch, tape dispenser, pencil sharpener, file folders, binders, bookcase, storage containers, and stackable file holders to name just a few items.

This year, I decided to branch out a little bit. I incorporated blue and green into my classroom. The blue and green items are things the students are allowed to use. Buying the blue and green items actually turned out to be fun! I have really enjoyed putting together my classroom this year. Everyone I teach with will also tell you that my room is organized! They can't believe it when they walk into my room. I'm quite proud of my room so I thought I would share! All of the blue and green items were purchased at Wal-Mart. I LOVE back to school time!

Although this doesn't exactly match the color scheme, I couldn't resist this mat! I keep it outside my classroom door. The students think it's so funny! I found it at Kohl's.