Associated Colleges of Illinois: Mentor Online

Happy New Year to all!

Have fun with your students and get them to do some math!

2009 Mathematics Game - The Math Forum (30 December, 2008) http://www.mathforum.com/yeargame/2009/

Use the digits in the year 2009 and the operations +, -, x, ÷, ^ (raised to a power), sqrt (square root), and ! (factorial), along with grouping symbols, to write expressions for the counting numbers 1 through 100. This year we will also allow the use of decimal points and double-digit numbers. Submissions open January 1 and the first solutions will be posted February 1, 2009.

Mary

I was asked where to find activities.  Check out some of the following:  http://classrooms.tacoma.k12.wa.us/stadium/eschlytter/index.php , at NCTM.org Check out Illuminations, Texas Instruments http://timath.com/signup/.

Books would be on Amazon.com                                                

Algebra Out Loud: Learning Mathematics Through Reading and Writing Activities by Pat Mower (Paperback - Nov 11, 2003)$19.77

Geometry Out Loud: Learning Mathematics Through Reading and Writing Activities (Jossey-Bass Teacher) by Pat Mower $19.77

The conference I told you about is at http://www.mmcchicago.org/

Let me know if this was helpful.  Share what you found with others on the blog!

Mary

Arizona State University has posted a compilation of free on-line STEM interest-persistence programs:  http://vcc.asu.edu/stem.shtml   Links to additional resource repositories are provided at the end of the web page.  Please feel free to use this compilation with students or professional audiences.

This STEM resource is but one offering in our Virtual Counseling Center (VCC) http://vcc.asu.edu at Arizona State University.  It is absolutely free to everyone and provides:

• Career exploration tests scored on line
• Test results linked to massive occupation and education databases
• Programs for stimulating interest and persistence in STEM studies and careers
• Academic and life skill programs
• Resources for counseling research and practice

 The VCC has been under development for the past couple years.  The career assessment and planning section is nearing completion as a state-of-the-art set of programs, but the academic and life skill areas are only a few percent built out. 

Eligibility Requirements: Applicants should have at least a bachelor’s degree in science, engineering or mathematics, have received their most recent content degree within the past five years and be committed to teaching science or mathematics in U.S. high schools. Individuals who are currently enrolled in a secondary math or science teaching credential program are eligible if they are within five years of their most recent content degree and have not completed their credential before December, 2008. KSTF Teaching Fellowships are intended to support individuals early in their careers who have the potential to devote a lifetime to improving math and science education.

Award information: Fellowships will be awarded to up to 15 individuals in each of three disciplinary strands: biology, physical science, and mathematics. Benefits of the fellowship include:

 Financial and professional support for up to five years, including a maximum of $10,000 tuition assistance per year for up to two years and a monthly stipend while fellows are enrolled in a recognized teacher credential program.  Room, board, travel expenses and fees for summer professional development activities as well as a monthly stipend during the summer.  Yearly opportunities to apply for instructional materials, academic year professional development, school-site mentor support, support for National Board Certification and financial support for leadership activities. Membership in a professional organization, Room, board and travel expenses for three meetings per year with other KSTF Fellows.

Beth DiGesare, Teaching Fellowship Program Coordinator, (856) 608-0001,

mailto:teachers@kstf.org>teachers@kstf.org

For those of you with a smartboard or want a smartboard, check out http://downloads.smarttech.com/media/education/pdf/edcompass/EDCompassOctober2008.pdf?WT.mc_id=EC_Oct2008

Mary

As the school year winds down, you may want to consider changes for next year.  Consider a writing prompt to ellicit some feedback for direction for the coming year.  Some ideas are:

a. Advice that you would give a friend taking this course next term.   

b. Write on “The 2007-2008 Chapter of My Mathematics Autobiography” as if you were talking to an interviewer at your 10^th year reunion.  Be sure to include your answers to the following:         
                   1.  What was the final mathematics course you completed in school?
             2.  What did you learn?
             3.  What is mathematics good for?

             4.  Where have you used the mathematics that you learned this year?

             5.  Particular events, activities, etc. that stand out in your mind.

By: Eric SchlytterHere are four exciting exponents activities:

Exponential Expressions - Comparing: http://www.haelmedia.com/html/mc_m65_003.html

Exponents (powers) - Snap Game: http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/maths/activities/flash/snap_powers/snap_powers.shtml