Mr Montgomery's blog

Thursday Session 5

Problem Solving

Students were working on this problem …

… by drawing pictures and building models.

Lock Down Practice

Towards the end of the session the school had a “lock down” practice. This is like a fire drill except that the emergency we practised for required students to get in under the desks of the classroom or safety.
I gave students cards to play times table snap while waiting

Thursday Session 5

Preparation for upcoming test

I demonstrated a method for adding (or subtracting) fractions

  

I demonstrated a method for multiplying fractions

I demonstrated a method for dividing fractions

These methods are just that: methods. They do not lead to an understanding of the processes underlying the methods.

We have been working on developing an understanding of the processes. As the teacher, I would much prefer that students understand the underlying principles and develop their own methods.

I only demonstrate methods once students have had to work hard to understand the underlying principles.

What’s in the Test?

The following topics will be in the test. Students need to prepare a page of notes and do some practice.

Multiplying fractions

Fractions of quantities

Dividing fractions

Fractions and Decimals

Percentages

Review and problem Solving

There will also be the usual 10 review questions (”mentals”) and a problem solving question.

For the problem solving question students will be expected to show that they can create an organised list to help them solve the problem.

Extra Practice Questions

Click on this link to download a few sheets of extra practice questions.

Thursday Session 2

Problem Solving

Students were working on this problem …

… by drawing pictures and building models.

Finding Rules

After playing “What’s my Rule?” yesterday students began working on Practising guess, check and improve from the Access to Algebra book

Wednesday Session 6

Algebra (…continued on from Monday)

Students began the new topic, Algebra, today by participating in this activity

What’s My Rule? is a great game to play with the whole class or in small groups.

It provides skill practice in number and problem solving in pattern and algebra.

The game has many variants.

This version makes use of calculators and software in ways that add to interest and involvement.

Extensions take the game into a range of mathematical areas appropriate to students of many ages and abilities.

Click on this link to visit the webpage for this activity

Wednesday Session 3

Preparation for upcoming test

I demonstrated a method for adding (or subtracting) fractions

  

I demonstrated a method for multiplying fractions

I demonstrated a method for dividing fractions

These methods are just that: methods. They do not lead to an understanding of the processes underlying the methods.

We have been working on developing an understanding of the processes. As the teacher, I would much prefer that students understand the underlying principles and develop their own methods.

I only demonstrate methods once students have had to work hard to understand the underlying principles.

What’s in the Test?

The following topics will be in the test. Students need to prepare a page of notes and do some practice.

Multiplying fractions

Fractions of quantities

Dividing fractions

Fractions and Decimals

Percentages

Review and problem Solving

There will also be the usual 10 review questions (”mentals”) and a problem solving question.

For the problem solving question students will be expected to show that they can create an organised list to help them solve the problem.

Extra Practice Questions

Click on this link to download a few sheets of extra practice questions.

Wednesday Session 2

Problem Solving: Organised lists

An important skill in problem solving (and life in general) is to be able to write organised lists.

The purpose of an organised list is to ensure that you have covered every option and not repeated any.

Here is a problem that the students have seen and worked on.

Here are some notes on how this problem might be introduced.

Algebra (continued on from yesterday)

Students began the new topic, Algebra, today by participating in this activity

What’s My Rule? is a great game to play with the whole class or in small groups.

It provides skill practice in number and problem solving in pattern and algebra.

The game has many variants.

This version makes use of calculators and software in ways that add to interest and involvement.

Extensions take the game into a range of mathematical areas appropriate to students of many ages and abilities.

Click on this link to visit the webpage for this activity

Here is a cartoon explanation of the game

Tuesday Session 4

Numero

Now that the class has the basics of the game I am using the game as a session starter. They start playing as soon as they get the cards. They stop as soon as instructed. They play to a time limit, rather than to the end of a game.

The class is now playing at level 3. This means that they are using wild-cards of subtraction, multiplication and addition.

Some students now including as many of the wilds cards into the game as they are able to deal with.

Click on this link to visit the Numero website.

Algebra

Students began the new topic, Algebra, today by participating in this activity

What’s My Rule? is a great game to play with the whole class or in small groups.

It provides skill practice in number and problem solving in pattern and algebra.

The game has many variants.

This version makes use of calculators and software in ways that add to interest and involvement.

Extensions take the game into a range of mathematical areas appropriate to students of many ages and abilities.

Click on this link to visit the webpage for this activity

Here is a cartoon explanation of the game

Tuesday Session 6

Numero

Now that the class has the basics of the game I am using the game as a session starter. They start playing as soon as they get the cards. They stop as soon as instructed. They play to a time limit, rather than to the end of a game.

The class is now playing at level 3. This means that they are using wild-cards of subtraction, multiplication and addition.

Some students now including as many of the wilds cards into the game as they are able to deal with.

Click on this link to visit the Numero website.

Calculating Percentages

I demonstrated on the white board a couple of methods fro calculating percentage decrease and percentage increase.

The text book reference is p104 of Maths for WA 1

Tuesday Session 5

Numero

Now that the class has the basics of the game I am using the game as a session starter. They start playing as soon as they get the cards. They stop as soon as instructed. They play to a time limit, rather than to the end of a game.

The class is now playing at level 3. This means that they are using wild-cards of subtraction, multiplication and addition.

Some students now including as many of the wilds cards into the game as they are able to deal with.

Click on this link to visit the Numero website.

Calculating Percentages

I demonstrated on the white board a couple of methods fro calculating percentage decrease and percentage increase.

The text book reference is p104 of Maths for WA 1

Students spent a few minutes on exercises from this page.

Monday Session 6

Numero

Now that the class has the basics of the game I am using the game as a session starter. They start playing as soon as they get the cards. They stop as soon as instructed. They play to a time limit, rather than to the end of a game.

The class is now playing at level 3. This means that they are using wild-cards of subtraction, multiplication and addition.

Some students now including as many of the wilds cards into the game as they are able to deal with.

Click on this link to visit the Numero website.

Finding Percentages of Quantities

Students worked on this page in the text book today

Fraction Bingo

The early part of the current topic is about multiplying and dividing fractions. In order to continue to practice their fraction skills, the class played a short game of fraction bingo.

Click on this link to download a copy of the game instructions and playing pieces