Archive | November, 2008

## Direct Variation

Believing that manipulatives and exploration help kids get a real sense for the skill, I have made a bunch of GeoGebra presentations/handouts. Having a dynamic presentation gives you more power than a static one.

(warm up)Explore y = Kx see what happens when you change K.
Without a calc:
sketch the graph of y = 10x, y = .5x, y = -.23x
Synthesize: What does K represent? (What is true about all the graphs of the family y = Kx) What do we learn from this? What is there to know about y = Kx

While they are doing the exploration the geogebra will be projected to help generate discussion and to add visuals.

## A tech trick for targeted remediation

I worked on this project last year so that I could better use the data I was generating from quizzes. I wanted a way to do targeted remediation to a large number of students in an individualized way. Getting students to teach other students was the best way to reach the largest number, so I set up this spreadsheet to make life easier. The macros I wrote eliminate the time between grade entry and targeted remediation. Instead of pouring over tests or handwriting lists, you can grade a large number of tests in very short time and use the auto-generated lists to provide individualized remediation.

• Grade multiple choice tests and split scores into an arbitrarily large number of benchmarks
• Analyze the results of a test and provide results broken out by benchmark for all students
• Process students scores for open response questions and handle questions that are open ended or multiple choice

Most of the data below was generated by the macro. The only work required on my end was to do a few clicks to setup the spreadsheet and then to enter the student’s answers.

The data entry sheet

Another click generates a list I use for strategic peer tutoring. Basically you get sorted lists of students who did well on each benchmark and students who need to review it. For all students you see every mistake. If you spend more time entering comments about the mistakes at grade time, the comments will be sorted and kept with the student on the peer review sheet.

A macro generates lists for remediation

If you’re interested in using the spreadsheets, I set up a page with the excel 2007 – which even includes a misspelling of Jack Bauer acting as John Doe #1. I hope you enjoy.

Go here for the template and a screencast.

## Sharing work

Using box.net, inspired by dan greene, I’m now sharing my files. You can browse them using the box in the right sidebar. I generally write materials using LaTeX and then use pdf‘s. I stick to a simple naming scheme. Files beginning with “pres-” are generally presentations that I throw up from the projector, “img-” for images, and “ws-” is the prefix for student worksheets. All the material is organized by topic/unit.

If you want to make your own files in latex you’ll need a latex distribution like MiKTeX, a good text editor such as winedt or emacs an easier download is here emacsforwindows (Nick recommended).

A good tutorial on using latex in windows will help you get started, you may want to read The Not So Short Introduction to LateX.

And viola, with latex you can do things like this

$\int_{-\infty }^{\infty }e^{-x^{2}}\;dx=\sqrt{\pi }$

## Slope

Looking up at the Andes from a finca outside of Manizales Colombia

Later this week the algebra kids will get their slope from here.

Get the pres-slope(pdf).

## Triangle Investigation

Doing quite a bit with triangle properties this week in Geometry. Students will investigate ws-anglesiderelationship,ws-centersactivity. I can project these and play with the vertices and settings to try to give them a sense of these properties. Use GeoGebra to view the files.