Dueling Exponents

Remember my post about gender classes? How it would be perfect because you could create a competition for the boys with every lesson. This is what their brains are thriving for anyway. Today we played a game involving exponents. It was true double elimination. This was to keep the hope alive in those students that lost early in the contest. In all of my classes the championship round was between 2 BOYS........ what is even better is that these BOYS are low C students. They struggle to grasp concepts, but yet they were able to defeat some of the more competent students in their class.


VERY INTERESTING!!!!!!!

Bathroom Etiquette

Yes, teachers do have to use the rest room just like everyone else. We do not have bladders that obtain super powers.......like the ability to stretch like a water balloon, or magically make the liquid disappear. The reactions students give a teacher who walks into the restroom to take care of business are priceless.

1. The amazement on their face when I walk up to the urinal, immediately followed by the standing at attention as if the toilet was a drill instructor!

2. The uncomfortable tone in their voice when you try to have a conversation about the day, or it may be that they are in the deepest concentration mode ever!

3. Followed by the instant red color in their face as they try to dialogue with their math teacher!

4. The hand washing success rate increases dramatically as the business is taken care off.

5. The instant silence of gossip, followed by the most serious students in the world! (All about the business! Donald Trump would be proud!)

6. The paper towels actually find the correct place of disposal!

The list can go on and on, but I think the best two reactions are when you follow a group of students into the bathroom and they instantly decide they do not need to go. Of course my favorite is reminding them to wipe and wishing them good luck!

Remember Middle School: The more gross the better teacher you are!

Gender Classes!

What a great idea! A math class with all girls. This would be fantastic. I can only imagine the math concepts that could be tackled. Not because girls are smarter, but because developmentally their brains are able to handle it.

What a great idea! A math class with all boys. This would be fantastic. I can only imagine the math concepts that could be tackled. Not because boys are smarter but, because developmentally their brains are NOT ready to handle it.


Ok let me explain, I have read a few articles about gender specific classes. Some of the research says that this is the ideal way to teach. Mixing genders in middle school creates a really weird atmosphere. First, for the boys: How can I impress on the girls that I am the stud they need to be dating? How badly can I humiliate my friends?  How badly can I beat you at anything?  These are the thoughts of the little adults running around in the halls. IT is all about competition!

Now for the girls: I guarantee they are more worried about their self image than the math concept being taught that day, and its the boys that drive this thought. The girls are far less to compete and more likely to socialize together; however they are also more likely to socialize about the math concept. The pressure will be off, they can be smart and show it!

The last 2 days I divided my class up one side of boys and one side of girls. So far the girls side has been more productive and has demonstrated a deeper understanding of concepts. The boys side have not accomplished much ok nothing and all are behind in the work. Is this little experiment telling me that I need to find a way to have gender classes?

Scientific Notation Flash Mob

Have you ever heard of a flash mob? I didn't until I watched "Friends with Benefits" starring Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis. Don't judge me Timberlake is my hero! Anyway, ask any teenager that has a heart beat, and they will be able to tell you what a flash mob is. If you need a visual here you go!

 I decided to use that to my advantage in class. The students were having trouble adjusting the exponent when a number was not in proper scientific notation. So I used Beyonce's song "Irreplaceable"  as a back drop to a dance that helped the students remember what to do.

Keep in mind I din't show the video.....that might of got me a visit from the principal. The new lyrics to the song went like this:

To the left, To the left, moving the decimal adds an exponent.

To the right, To the right, moving the decimal subtracts an exponent.

As we are singing were are moving to the left and right and throwing some sweet moves in. 

So once the kids had it down I told them that when they hear my bell to stop what they are doing and bust into this flash mob! It was a blast and we all had a great time! Maybe there will be a video in the future.......after a lot of practice!

MAY-DAY.........MAY-DAY..........MAY-DAY

Originally, I wanted to post some opinions about bullies in our schools because that seems to be a recurring theme these last few days, not only locally but nationally as well. The opinions I have may ruffle a few feathers, so I will save that for cold day this winter.

It was picture day and all of the students looked their best for the camera. Not sure how I lucked out, but pictures did not interrupt my math classes at all this year.  The first 4 periods were great then came 5th. This is the hardest period of the day, not because it is advanced 8th grade but because it is after lunch. The kids are full and the last thing on their mind is math! I spend a lot of high energy in this period just to keep the little buggers awake.........and also to keep me awake; after all I just ate lunch also! So I was excited, the lesson was going spectacular, the kids were paying attention and actually using their pencils instead of chewing on them. (That is if they brought them) This was a great lesson on adding and subtracting in scientific notation. The kids were understanding while I was guiding them through the steps. Success, or so I thought. When it can time to the independent practice the Stuka's started their decent! It was very clear that I was the only one convinced that this lesson was great!

Yes I was not successful with this lesson, I believe I might even had said some choice words after they left for the day. Like I told my students the first couple days of class, "you will fail, but it is what you do after the failure that really matters!"

BRING IT ON!

Pigeons Love Math!

Pigeons love math!!! No I am not going nuts, the picture above proves it. Today during 4th period this pigeon, who from this point on, is Alfred landed on my window sill. The window was open and the screen was the only thing that was preventing Alfred from pulling up a desk and finding the LCM, GCF, and Prime factorization of numbers. Alfred is not scared of math or humans, cause as I approached the window in full mathematics talk he just cocked his head from side to side, up and down. I had his full attention and he was totally understanding the math concepts leaking from my mouth. Alfred stayed on the window sill the rest of the day. In fact he just flew off about 20 minutes ago.

Here is the great thing...........Middle school kids have a hard time keeping things a secret. Remember my post about the hallways? The students talk in a voice level that my grandma could hear, and they don't really pay attention to who is standing by. Plus I do have pretty good hearing even though my wife would disagree, especially on Sundays!

The kids are always in amazement when I know the latest gossip. Who is dating who, who likes who, or what happened over the weekend. I always tell the kids that a little bird tells me so be careful. It drives them nuts, but now that I have Alfred......I have proof.

Maybe if Alfred returns tomorrow we will sing him a song. Check it out!

Reality Sets In!

Friday was the first real test for my students, especially the 7th graders. For the last 2 weeks the students have been practicing the expectations that will lead to success in the math classroom. For the eight graders, this is mostly review although I have thrown a few curve balls their way. The 7th graders are a whole different story. Learning what it feels like to work hard and accomplish tasks that challenges them on a social and intellectual level does not happen overnight. Until there are some learning pains (failures) and reflection the students struggle in upper grades where high expectations are not only set and expected but, crucial.

Back to Friday.......The students had their first opportunity to prove what they know. (aka a quiz). The kids didn't do terrible but their scores were not off the charts either. What this quiz did tell the students is this........nothing is given out in my classroom. You earn everything you get, so you better bring your A game. I expect your best each and every day because that is what I am giving you!

P.S. Only a few students were in tears because of their quiz scores!