Thing 5 - Thinkfinity

1)  http://illuminations.nctm.org/ActivityDetail.aspx?id=22

This link is about some of the definitions in Geometry.  It will state the definition but also give visuals related to the geometry terms being defined.

I would use this interactive activity as a follow up to learning some of the foundations of geometry:  Points and Lines.  I like how students are able to manipulate the drawings in each set of instructions.  I also like how there is an exploration section that will show step by step how to create  the geometric constructions that relate to the given terms.  As students read through the instructions they will click an icon that will show the graphical representation of that step.

2)  http://illuminations.nctm.org/LessonDetail.aspx?ID=L670

This link is a lesson on the use of exponential growth(decay) and percent change as it relates to our National Debt and Wars.  

Because this lesson involves the National Debt and how certain Wars (Civil War, WW1 and WW2) have effected it, I would want to collaborate with the Social Studies teachers when they teach about any of these particular wars.   It would be a good cross-curricular lesson to show students how math is involved in history class and history involved in math class.  Hopefully students would make the connection that math isn't just for math class and they aren't just learning formulas for the "fun" of it.

Thing 4 -Communication Tools

So, here I am in the lower right hand corner chatting away with Kim-Hang.  This was my first time using Skype and I like it.   It's fun and easy to use and for the most part free to use.  Now I get the chance to see my little niece more often than a few times  a year via Skype.

I could see using this in my classroom with other teachers that teach math around the world.  It would be interesting to show in real time how math is taught in another country to my students.  Granted there would be a difference in time but there is always Canada right?   Maybe my students and myself will learn something new.  Plus using Skype is another tool for students that are absent to still be involved with the learning that takes place in the classroom.   No excuse for them to say they didn't get the homework problems.

Thing 3 -Google Docs

Since my district has gone the way of Google Docs this past school year, I have had the opportunity to use Google Docs to communicate and share projects like this one with my students.  I do like the fact that once my students open the Google Doc, it's automatically saved in their document/drive folder.  That way, they can't say they lost the directions.  Plus my students are able to send me their written projects via Google Docs at anytime and anywhere.

I also like the ability to share and edit a document with others through Google Docs.  This cuts out having to save the document, then attach it to an email before sending each time a revision is made.  The editing a shared document is instantaneous.

Personally, I still like using Word for typing because it is what I am use to using and I currently know more about it's features than the features of a text document in Google Docs.  But I am sure I will know more the more I use it.